Stimulating things to do with a geriatric/veteran

[chickflick1066]

I have part time care of Badger, a 13hh something ex-RS pony, in his late 20s and looking very poor for his age. The things is, I absolutely adore the smelly old codger and would love to stimulate his brain before he unfortunately leaves our yard :(

Anything light and fun would be great, leading games are a little difficult as he won't be lead (he's a bugger and plants his feet - he is often 'carried' up the field!) but any games which could improve this would be great.

My first thought was to do clicker training (i'll start a seperate thread) both with Stumps and Badger and wasn't sure if it would work for Badger mainly. I just need something to brighten this old guys days.

I'd also accept if you think I should just leave him eating his soppy feed and sucking the haylege as he does ;) I really don't mind!

This is the smelly git himself :p

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/chickflick1066/Other%20horses%20etc/Intheschool.jpg

[crazystevie]

The clicker training thing might be fun - and would be a good way to teach him how to lead. Once he can lead, he might enjoy 'hacking' out with you and stumpy - and will keep his joints ticking.

[julia gulia]

Ohhhhhh he's adorable, I love him!!!!!!!!!l.o.l.
I can see why you like the smelly little git!!!!!! teee heee!!!
What a cutie!

[Wally]

If he's an old riding school guy leave him be! He's done his bit for society and all he wants now is to be loved and appreciated doing his own thing.

Imagine how a lot of old folk in a home would feel like instead of having their afternoon nap were forced to learn a new thing.

If he's a bit grumpy just love him and appreciate him for the old codger he is.

[Est]

Ooooh chickflick, he is gorgeous :)

Google threw up 2 interesting sites on clicker training.

http://www.equiworld.net/clickertraining/sevengames.htm

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/training/clickertraining/learningtolearn.htm

The second one was very cool :)

[chickflick1066]

If he's an old riding school guy leave him be! He's done his bit for society and all he wants now is to be loved and appreciated doing his own thing.

Imagine how a lot of old folk in a home would feel like instead of having their afternoon nap were forced to learn a new thing.

If he's a bit grumpy just love him and appreciate him for the old codger he is.
LOL, ok. Those were my thoughts too - thanks :)

[domane]

Well Araminta! I don't believe you have done it again! Come up with another "twin" for me.... Your Badger is the spitting image of an "old lady" - Dapple - we have at our yard. She is in her very late 20s.... I will take a photo so you can see what I mean! :D

[mayS]

My vote is also for clicker training. Once horses get the idea of how the "game" works, they LOVE doing it. It's stimulating for him mentally and it doesn't require him to be terribly energetic.

You could look into the TTouch stuff. I've not tried it myself yet, but I hear it's great to do.

[Wally]

Really, most old riding school horses have had a belly full of playing games, they've played the game and been nice about it. They must be allowed to be old codgers with no consequenses.

[Giveitago]

What a fantastic pony! He's probably seen the lot.

Remember, he would probably still like to have some fun every now and then. I took a 12.2 pony who's roughly 20 out for a bomb last week, she loves going fast but hasn't got a good rider at the mo.

I find you can give an elderly member a job to do, look after the youngsters in the field, be a friend to a poorly horse. These things can be just as mentally beneficial to the horse as learning new tricks. Same as us humans.

From a riding point of view, he's probably happy to hack out and get some fresh air on a regular basis to keep fit. Depending on his health, maybe a couple of small logs to jump occasionally would bring some fun back. I imagine he's a sensible type, why not try him in a dr cook type bridle, he may enjoy the change.

Or, why not enter him in a veteran class, he certainly caught NR eyes.

[1 morejump]

What a cutie! Try getting some stall toys for him. They make lickets, balls, and all kinds of stuff to bust bordem. Lance likes to placy with tires.