So how do you unjoin?

[KarinUS]

In an attempt to improve his join up, DJ has gotten a little confused. What is the signal for a horse that he can unjoin himself and join his buddies again? How do you teach it?

[Shiny McShine]

I don't think there is ever really a need to encourage a horse to 'unjoin' with you. In fact a well trained horse who is at a high level of join up should never be unjoined in reality. He should always be prepared to partner up with you when you require him to. This doesn't mean he stands at the gate waiting for you all day. He knows, because you make it clear, what times are working, joining up times and what times are for just being a horse.

To allow the horse to be by himself again you simply walk away and leave him but never chase him away. Make clear lines between partnership time and individual time by treating it as a partnership when you want to work with him and by letting him be a horse, not interferring with him when it is his rest time.

The answer is you don't teach it, you allow it.

[KarinUS]

So, if he doesn't go away by himself I just let him come along? I didn't want to chase him away (and never have), but I wish I could tell him to go play. I tried to lead him to his buddies, but when I turn and go back to the barn he will come there with me again, so I have to lock the gate in front of him and he stands there until I drive off.

[Waikato Valuta]

Sound like that horsey of yours realy loves you.

I wouldent worry about him standing by the gate unless he is in the exact same position when you come back. :p

He will probably go to his horsey buddies once you are gone.

[KarinUS]

LOL. Yeah I know. He certainly does not stay at the gate for long.
I am just a dork and silly enough to accompany him first to the water to get him a drink and then all the way out to the herd so he can see his buddies, just to have him follow me back!

[rache]

i think thats great that he follows you he must reall respect you!!! great is all i can say-

[ridehorses]

hehe! he's a mama's boy! ;) :D :p it's very cute though, that he follows you around! i know that's not what you want to hear...but i, knowing nothing about 'unjoining' just had to say what a sweet boy DJ is! :D

[virtuallyhorses]

Just shut the gate, give him a scratch and then walk off. Imp went through this stage, I'd leave him at the gate and he'd be there waiting for me when I turned up again. Even now if we've had a really good session (ridden or groundwork) I'll release him in the paddock, I usually give the horses a scratch each and have a chat with each of them, then Imp will try to follow me back through the gate again as if to say 'ok, what shall we do now that we've put the horses to bed' ;) . You're right it is very endearing and its really enticing to continue on and on with it. You could add a voice signal 'off you go' or 'bye' or whatever you like.

[KarinUS]

from the other posts about Imp it seems like he is a lot like DJ. I'd love to see a picture of Imp some time!

[virtuallyhorses]

never one to pass up on the opportunity to show off my boy ;)

[virtuallyhorses]

.

[KarinUS]

He's very handsome. You should try and get him a modeling contract with Weatherbeeta! What breed is he?

[virtuallyhorses]

Reg TB pedigree (http://www.dmtc.com/cgi-bin/ped/allbreed/query.cgi?all=&x=&horse=IMPULSIVE6&g=5&cellpadding=0&small_font=1&l=&v=Yes) I haven't managed to snap a photo of him in his 'I'm gorgeous - feed me!' pose ;)

I think it would have to be Saddlery Warehouse - given his fondness for mud wallows I've never been game to fork out for a weatherbeeta :D

[KarinUS]

I figured there was a good chance this baby was TB. I wonder why this personable side of them isn't more well known? They are so cute and smart!