Bodey- it’s just the beginning!

[JoBo]

A bit self indulgent but I just wanted to tell you guys about how Bodey is getting on and a few hurdles we have over come, so,

Bodey had the farrier for the first time ever yesterday. Note, it’s only been the last few weeks that I could actually get him to pick his feet up (either not picking up or trying to kick me). Well he was very good for the fronts but the backs were a bit much for him, so they left it. More practice needed but to be honest it was better then I thought it might have been.

Had his second jab yesterday, didn’t move a muscle, success. Very nervy for the first jab.

We have had the clippers running while he has been tied up, more interested in trying to eat them then being scared of them, phew. Also touched them against him, interested but fine. All the feather hair is so coming off (currently hacked with scissors, which was an achievement in itself considering I couldn’t get anywhere near his legs when we got him at Christmas).

So now to the backing, well we are successfully leaning over him with full weight now and he is even moving a couple of steps sideways. I’m going to take it really slowly with him considering when we tried to get on him a little while back he catapulted GinaGem though the air, so have gone right back to the beginning!

Because of his slightly sensitive nature I think everything is going to have to be down very slowly with him however under it all he does seem to be a very calm horse. I can see this on the lunge now with the fact that I am having to use the whip a bit. He has also become very cuddly, and is quite often the first horse over to the fence to see you.

I have to admit that I have had doubts on whether I had taken on too much and whether I should have just gone out and brought something older and already broken, but I’m very much a heart rules head girl. And to be honest having a youngster like Blacks didn’t prepare us for the challenges of Bodey. But everyday he just seems that little more confident in himself.

So how do you think I’m doing? Any more tips on how to make Bodey more confident? Do you think I’m mad buying a pretty much unhandled youngster?

I am missing the competing a bit but I have been riding GinaGem’s Gem quite a bit and of course there is Blacks (which I haven’t ridden so much as Mum has been riding him).

So there you go just felt I wanted to share. Any comments, advice etc. greatly appreciated, and well done for getting this far!

 

[TGM]

Glad to hear you are making progress! TBH, I think trying to get a full set of shoes on him was a bit ambitious - my OH prefers to do only front shoes on youngsters for the first time they are shod. Sounds like he is improving all the time, so I hope you go from strength to strength.

 

[Dogbetty141]

well done i think that you are getting along great and it is nice to hear how well he is bonding with you! It will take time but once he is fully confident in himslef im sure he will be your one in a million! As for tips not great on that side but try doing one thing everyday that you want him to get better at he will eventually think and know what you want him to do!

 

[JoBo]

Oh sorry, didn’t make that clear. His feet were just trimmed, we don’t have shoes on the cobs.

The farrier said his feet were quite good and strong so I won’t worry about shoes until he is doing more if at all. It saves money as well, he, he!

Thanks TGM!

 

[JoBo]

Thank you! I still get these niggling doubts on whether I’m good enough for him, I just don’t want to do anything to ruin him, you know! But I do think that he really does have a good temperament and attitude so hopefully, fingers crossed everything will turn out well. I do have some great support and help around me!

 

[fairhill]

You sound like you're doing all the right things with him, and really making progress. He's going to make a lovely little horse

You're probably doing this already, but what has helped mine get used to the blacksmith and shoeing was tying her up when the other was getting shod so she got used to the smells and noises.
I also tapped her soles with the hoof pick when I picked up her feet. I know you're not planning to shoe him, but it'll be useful for the future

I did all sorts of silly things on the ground with mine to help with her confidence - leading over plastic sheets, going over poles and showing her tractors etc. Just last night we had some loose plastic blowing in the wind from the haylage and we stood next to it, and walked over one bit!
Whenever I put a bag of shavings down when she's in the stable I drape the empty bag over her back or neck (like a rainhood!) and leave it there for a few minutes, or until she shakes it to the ground.

TBH though his confidence will grow as he starts to trust you more, and that will only come with lots of time and patience - which is sounds like you have in bucket loads!

 

[JoBo]

Thank you that is really helpful!

I do make a point of putting his shavings down when he is in the stable so he gets use to the bag. I have been leading him over poles in the school, I can actually get him doing it just following me without me holding him! I have walked him up and down the drive way, so he has been past a few cars, ok they weren’t running.
As you said I just think it’s time.

Next year will be our year! I’m just waiting for the day we can do our first sponsored ride together! That’s what I’m really looking forward too!

 

[Kelly1982]

Sounds like you are doing a fab job with him

You wont ruin him so dont panick (i used to think that with Senza) and from what you have said his confidence is coming on leaps and bounds and thats only through good handling.

So glad you are bonding well with him, keep us updated

 

[TGM]

That explains it then! Thought it was a bit strange that you would try and get a full set on a nervous youngster for the first time! Next time I'll read the post properly

.

 

[pottamus]

Ditto fairhill...my boy was worried by everything that moved when I got him so I did lot's with him on a daily basis...started by getting him happy with me running my hands all over him (particularly belly) and then progressed it to running objects all over him - bags, paper, lunge lines, crop, tinsel...anythings really. Then I started to flap the objects around him and on him starting with a towel and working up to bags. He soon became used to it and is now happy for me to flap towels and bags onto his head...he just stands there until it rolls off!!!!
If you have a school you can tie things to the edges and put obstacles out that you might find on a hack...this all helps their confidence too.