Cheeky
16th Aug 2005, 03:00 PM
Haha ok, so my title had little reference to what I need to yabber about here.
Well ,as you all know, I have taken the task of bringing a mare back into work after 2 years with my friend. Lemme just give yous a little 'update' on what has happened.
Ok, so on Sunday we went to see her - not the killer mare i remembered!! She was nice *enough* and walked quietly to the house (which was about 10 min walk accross paddock, then 10 mins up road), I let my friend lead her through the paddock and half way to the house -I wanted to step down a little and let my friend have the time with her, as I have other horses I can see during the week, but she doesnt-. when we got to the house, I was leading her, there were dogs barking and chasing her - not a flinch!! There were cows Mooing - nothing. There were cars and a truck - nothing. Just kept walking - you do not realise how comforting that is lol!!
But when we got to the post, she went a little nuts, as she isnt as keen on with donkeys - but she knows these Donkies quite well and was a little excited to see them. Anyhoo, we took her into an enclosed paddock (brilliant size - like a very large arena . . . this is where we will be riding her laters -i think) and let her go. She bolted about, bucking and rearing, and farting, and screaming, and going around in circles - all on the right lead of canter :P
She carried on like this for about 10 mins, which was cool, as it was new to being away from her herd (of 2 others lol!) - plus she was helping us by getting a little exercise. After 10 mins she was coated with sweat - drenched!! Seriously! She then carried on the other direction (correct lead lol!), ducking under trees, turning the corners nicely, tail up - and her legs . . .I almost died they were BEAUTIFUL! The way she picked them up - perfect!! After half hour she calmed down, ate some grass, had a drink then her owner moved her into the stable. Again, another little run around, but then she was cool.
I then went in, did a little exercise to get her respect (simular to join-up, just not as long and has less stress on the horse), then I turned around and she hung her head, licking n chewing and my friend was amazed!!! So she had a go too, but didnt quite get it right, but it was ok, as she is new to this but she got it in the end!! She was so proud :)
Then we groomed her, gave her a quick hose off . . . then my friend said "lets cut her mane!!" I said "why on earth would you wanna do that?" she said "Coz its all scrawny and looks tatty." I said "I love this natural look". she gotta little annoyed, grabbed the scissors and said "well at least trim the tail." I said "why?" she said "Its dragging on the floor" so I said "Ok - just a little bit!" I put my hand under the tail to elevate and she cut it. Excuse me for being annoyed, but she cut about 4 inches off!!!! It now looks really odd coz the tail (which she didnt bother to comb out) is cut, but the mane isnt. I personally only like the mane and tail cut if you going into showing - but she looked so elligent with it tatty - it was . . . natural.
Anyways, we finnished up there. she said "there - doesnt that look better?" I said "Uh not really - here please let me cut it straight."
So she put her arm under the tail, and just as she got comfy - the horse farts/craps all over her arm - boy that was PRICELESS!! The way she lept backwards was amazin! she said that she will never do that again, so my boyfriend volenteered! What a sweetie :) He loves horses too!! How lucky am I? He used to train them also - bare back! *sigh* my hero :P
Anyways - the fact is, she did get a pretty good work out, incl road work, and a hardy 20 mins cantering. By the end of it we had gained her respect and attention which is something that I thought may be hard to cut with her - but it wasnt. I know that I still have a long way to getting her full respect - but this was a start :) I could feel it.
We are going to see her again on Thursday, then I am going by myself on Saturday and Sunday as she has a family thing on. I guess my question of this whole post is . . .
when she is exercised, she seems to lose her breath quite quickly. I know she has been out of work for about 2 years, but this isnt normal! I am not a fan of seeking help, but I have found this message board to be more friendly than others I have asked at :) This mare, Missy, is pretty unfit, she is a Connemara X Tb, about 14.3hh, large barrel, strong neck, hardy feet and legs, chestnut.
When I go to see her on Thursday, my friend (who is very less knowledged about training and 'thinks like a people, not like a horse' (as pat p says) with a strong mind - her way or the high way) wants to lunge her and just hang out to spend some time with her. I would like to do some more halter work - halting when asked!! (as she seems to disrespect that ask) Also some other simple things like moving the quaters out the way, turning/weaving, and then maybe a small lunge in walk (as she is *apparently* a dream on the lunge and to get her listening even when i am not as close) <-- but I am not fussed about lunging straight away.. What do you think??
also, another thing I was meant to ask is, would it be ok to introduce small trots right from the beginning? I know this may seem a big ask, but I was thinking: A horse is naturally walking most of the day, so more walk would not necessarily push the horse. Having small trots will push the horse a little, and really begin to exercise her and use her muscles. I know that walk is a good way to start, and get muscle happening bla bla bla . . but why not?? I have been told by a very knowledgable instructor 'always push the horse that little bit out side their comfort zone.' - and seeing as the trot is not only the horses favorite gait, but also the most natural (besides walk) this wouldnt harm them to much to have small trots?
I hope this all came out right without sounding too Bias or incorrect :( :P I have done this before with my mare, and others (why am I always stuck with mares? lol) - just its getting a little borring doing the same thing over and over - I cant introduce poles yet **** where we are they dont have any! Grr . . oh well :P
Well ,as you all know, I have taken the task of bringing a mare back into work after 2 years with my friend. Lemme just give yous a little 'update' on what has happened.
Ok, so on Sunday we went to see her - not the killer mare i remembered!! She was nice *enough* and walked quietly to the house (which was about 10 min walk accross paddock, then 10 mins up road), I let my friend lead her through the paddock and half way to the house -I wanted to step down a little and let my friend have the time with her, as I have other horses I can see during the week, but she doesnt-. when we got to the house, I was leading her, there were dogs barking and chasing her - not a flinch!! There were cows Mooing - nothing. There were cars and a truck - nothing. Just kept walking - you do not realise how comforting that is lol!!
But when we got to the post, she went a little nuts, as she isnt as keen on with donkeys - but she knows these Donkies quite well and was a little excited to see them. Anyhoo, we took her into an enclosed paddock (brilliant size - like a very large arena . . . this is where we will be riding her laters -i think) and let her go. She bolted about, bucking and rearing, and farting, and screaming, and going around in circles - all on the right lead of canter :P
She carried on like this for about 10 mins, which was cool, as it was new to being away from her herd (of 2 others lol!) - plus she was helping us by getting a little exercise. After 10 mins she was coated with sweat - drenched!! Seriously! She then carried on the other direction (correct lead lol!), ducking under trees, turning the corners nicely, tail up - and her legs . . .I almost died they were BEAUTIFUL! The way she picked them up - perfect!! After half hour she calmed down, ate some grass, had a drink then her owner moved her into the stable. Again, another little run around, but then she was cool.
I then went in, did a little exercise to get her respect (simular to join-up, just not as long and has less stress on the horse), then I turned around and she hung her head, licking n chewing and my friend was amazed!!! So she had a go too, but didnt quite get it right, but it was ok, as she is new to this but she got it in the end!! She was so proud :)
Then we groomed her, gave her a quick hose off . . . then my friend said "lets cut her mane!!" I said "why on earth would you wanna do that?" she said "Coz its all scrawny and looks tatty." I said "I love this natural look". she gotta little annoyed, grabbed the scissors and said "well at least trim the tail." I said "why?" she said "Its dragging on the floor" so I said "Ok - just a little bit!" I put my hand under the tail to elevate and she cut it. Excuse me for being annoyed, but she cut about 4 inches off!!!! It now looks really odd coz the tail (which she didnt bother to comb out) is cut, but the mane isnt. I personally only like the mane and tail cut if you going into showing - but she looked so elligent with it tatty - it was . . . natural.
Anyways, we finnished up there. she said "there - doesnt that look better?" I said "Uh not really - here please let me cut it straight."
So she put her arm under the tail, and just as she got comfy - the horse farts/craps all over her arm - boy that was PRICELESS!! The way she lept backwards was amazin! she said that she will never do that again, so my boyfriend volenteered! What a sweetie :) He loves horses too!! How lucky am I? He used to train them also - bare back! *sigh* my hero :P
Anyways - the fact is, she did get a pretty good work out, incl road work, and a hardy 20 mins cantering. By the end of it we had gained her respect and attention which is something that I thought may be hard to cut with her - but it wasnt. I know that I still have a long way to getting her full respect - but this was a start :) I could feel it.
We are going to see her again on Thursday, then I am going by myself on Saturday and Sunday as she has a family thing on. I guess my question of this whole post is . . .
when she is exercised, she seems to lose her breath quite quickly. I know she has been out of work for about 2 years, but this isnt normal! I am not a fan of seeking help, but I have found this message board to be more friendly than others I have asked at :) This mare, Missy, is pretty unfit, she is a Connemara X Tb, about 14.3hh, large barrel, strong neck, hardy feet and legs, chestnut.
When I go to see her on Thursday, my friend (who is very less knowledged about training and 'thinks like a people, not like a horse' (as pat p says) with a strong mind - her way or the high way) wants to lunge her and just hang out to spend some time with her. I would like to do some more halter work - halting when asked!! (as she seems to disrespect that ask) Also some other simple things like moving the quaters out the way, turning/weaving, and then maybe a small lunge in walk (as she is *apparently* a dream on the lunge and to get her listening even when i am not as close) <-- but I am not fussed about lunging straight away.. What do you think??
also, another thing I was meant to ask is, would it be ok to introduce small trots right from the beginning? I know this may seem a big ask, but I was thinking: A horse is naturally walking most of the day, so more walk would not necessarily push the horse. Having small trots will push the horse a little, and really begin to exercise her and use her muscles. I know that walk is a good way to start, and get muscle happening bla bla bla . . but why not?? I have been told by a very knowledgable instructor 'always push the horse that little bit out side their comfort zone.' - and seeing as the trot is not only the horses favorite gait, but also the most natural (besides walk) this wouldnt harm them to much to have small trots?
I hope this all came out right without sounding too Bias or incorrect :( :P I have done this before with my mare, and others (why am I always stuck with mares? lol) - just its getting a little borring doing the same thing over and over - I cant introduce poles yet **** where we are they dont have any! Grr . . oh well :P