bargy horse.

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pagancluf

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Took Pagan down to the stable last night to groom (raining) and feed and he was near enough walking into me like I was not there! I need to do some ground work with him (not got a shoe on yet and foot sore so not ridden) to teach him some manners, respect for my personal space - any ideas as not done any ground work before?? Have got menage that can go into. I don't want to frighten him, but just make him see I am the leader if poss.
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Is Mickey Gavin the guy that did the loading etc for you? Where is he at and also is he expensive? Need to nip this in the bud now don't I?!?
 
I'd take him in the school and practise moving his quarters, shoulders and most importantly backing up. Every time he invades your personal space make sure you push him away, and be consistent. If he does walk into you then make sure you protect yourself by bumping him back, but don't get carried away! Kelly Marks has a book called Perfect Manners which is really good for solving handling issues if you work through it.
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How did you get on with te pessoa the other night?
 
When you're leading him, hold the leadrope out to the right if he's trying to walk behind you - it'll encourage him to keep over.
Also, lead him around on a slack leadrope, then stop. If he doesn't stop automatically, pull him up. If his shoulder is infront of you, tell him to "get back", then gently encourage him to go backwards until he's where you want him to be (but make sure you keep still - you want to push him out of YOUR space, not walk into his). Give him a stroke and tell him he's good, then walk on. Eventually they lean to stop the second you do, and will back themselves up if they're too far forward.
Easy enough exercise to do when turning out and bringing in. Worked a treat with my lot. Can then do it in trot - you run, then stop dead and they'll stop with you.

Also, make him stand and wait before going into and coming out of his stable - don't just let him stroll/barge in or out. Make him wait for his feed too - tell him to "get back", then "wait", then once he's stood still and not trying to steal it off you, give it to him and tell him he's good. Mine automatically back up when you have feed, lower their heads and won't look at you!

I'm sure other people will have more ideas, but they worked for me!

Good look!

Lou. x

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Thanks Bounty, do I do in head collar or bridle him up? Do I use a whip to point on his side or will my hand do the trick, and to back him up just press on chest with verbal command?

The Pessoa was hillarous,
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took me only a few mins to put on, left the furry strap on back and walked into menage, put under his tail and walked him on - he proceeded to buck vertically for about two circiuts and squealed too?? but in the end he went ok - left it loose so not done anything for ewe neck but thought it would be safer. Will put on tighter next time. Thanks for asking wish I had video-ed him, was pi**ing myself at the end of the lunge line. (cruel mum!!)
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Thanks Lou - will go down to the field and try that. When I walked him back to the field last night I kept stopping and asking him to stand (he was not going to!!), did it about 6 times up the hill and he was better in the end, just shows me that my other horse is well behaved and likes me, this one? has a mind of his own and a not so nice streak...
 
If he's being really awful then do it in a bridle, but you should be ok with a head collar - though a rope halter would be better as it's just that bit sharper and makes for clearer communication.
You can use a whip or your hand to ask him over, whichever works for you. I tend to start off by spinning the end of the rope towards them, and then once they've got the hang of it a hand signal is sufficient. Your methos for backing up is fine, just remember that whatever you do should start off really obvious and tone it down as he gets better at respecting you.
The other night was the first time that we'd used the pessoa too... she wasn't best pleased! Like you we had some bucks but she did settle, and like you i used it loose while she got used to it.
I love Pagan, everytime I see him in your sig he reminds me of a horse I had for a while. They're built just the same and have the same expression
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hi, im having issues with mine barging out of stable door, doing the "wait / stand" bit and getting better i have to say but the minute i turn my back he is out, and too big to fight with, but he doesnt go anywhere!! ive started, when walking him out to the yard, walking then stand, loose leadrope no tension, and trot to stand and he does this every single time without taking one more step than i do, incredible really, but whats with the barging through the stable door? almost crushed me tonight
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shame cos we had a fab ride together, only our 2nd one out, and this spoils it.
 
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