Starting to have a play with NH

[Amber Hughes]

Today I went into the school with my horse, my friend Diane with her horse Breeze (who are both really good at NH) and my friend Shelly and Beth with their pony Dan

Me, Shelly and Beth are beginners but we seriously enjoyed having a play with our horses and being shown a couple of things by Di

We just did simple things like asking our horses to back up and we got to choose what method worked, all was using energy and using our life but all of us dont agree with really making contact with the horse other then finger tip pressure

Then we did the walk fast walk slow kinda game and the horses copied us

Then walking infront and spinning around and facing the horse so he knows when to stop then did it while next to the horse but I found this really useful because when I cross the road with my horse he stops when I stop and its really safe

Also things like looking at the horses bum and making him move his hind quarters without touching him works a treat

I couldnt get him to walk sideways though but it is only the first proper attempt at it all really

I am back at it in the morning having a blast


I noticed the difference in my horse, he was happy to be there and was really enjoying it, he didnt walk towards the gate once and he does when im riding or lunging he was happy to stay there all day I reckon - we were in there for about an hour and a half


It is so enjoyable

Cant wait to progress further- will keep you all posted


So you guys think if I do too much with fergs he will get bored? Cos I am all broke still so no riding so I am happy to do this everyday :)

[Bob's mum]

I don't think he'll get bored if you do too much, more likely to get bored if you do the same couple of things over and over again.

Well done for having a go at something new, it's great seeing the way they respond isn't it ?:)

[Amber Hughes]

I don't think he'll get bored if you do too much, more likely to get bored if you do the same couple of things over and over again.

Well done for having a go at something new, it's great seeing the way they respond isn't it ?:)

Its fab I never expected such a positive reaction my horse almost seems to be like thank god im doing something new with my life

All his life he has raced then turned away 3 times for a year while his tendons hear then sold on then hacked showed then came to me and I think he is really happy now its almost as if the horses say hey Im being appreciated and not yanked and kicked

Love it wont turn back again now!!!

[Amber Hughes]

Had another play today reinforcing things i had already learnt and we introduced a new thing

I was sent into a box shape of poles i walked fergal over it a few times then i asked him to walk backwards over it and he did it right away

this made me feel really chuffed cos its meant to be a trust exercise and that must mean my boy trusts me

a little girl took him around the school leading him and he didnt take his eyes off me - i feel such an amazing bond with this horse

when i went to catch him i did the drop your energy and head and walk backwards and he walked right up to me it was amazing he normally waits for me to get him he just stands there eatin grass so that was a big achievement im really happy with

will never turn back now :)

[Bob's mum]

Wow, you're getting on great guns. Well done to you both :D

[Meovcorz]

Cool, sounds like all is good, when you get into it more, and you find he is having more trouble understanding you, or gettting what you are asking for, slow down and don't introduce anything new untill he gets what you are saying, also, if he doesn't understand something you asked him to do, stop. Do something he knows, then once he's calm (if he got excited) ask again, but say try a dif. approach, and SHOW him what you want, I don't think there is any better way to explain to a horse what you want then for you to personaly show him.

Good luck, you will enjoy.

[Amber Hughes]

Cool, sounds like all is good, when you get into it more, and you find he is having more trouble understanding you, or gettting what you are asking for, slow down and don't introduce anything new untill he gets what you are saying, also, if he doesn't understand something you asked him to do, stop. Do something he knows, then once he's calm (if he got excited) ask again, but say try a dif. approach, and SHOW him what you want, I don't think there is any better way to explain to a horse what you want then for you to personaly show him.

Good luck, you will enjoy.


fab thanks for that - makes sense

so should i leave 10 minutes gaps between teaching him new things?