Does the same formula work for all horses?

[Ameerapasrich]

Here’s an interesting one. So I’ve had quite a few horses and in my opinion you can’t really teach or treat all of them the same way (sort of like parenting). Let’s take the example of three horses from my life, one being my ex-race horse, one being a rescued pony and one being my dressage mare. I began my equestrian career with my ex racehorse Victory, he was a stallion when I got him and made sure everyone knew. Besides breaking his stable (concrete) wall, throwing the groom out of the stable (literally) he also use to charge at anyone who would lunge him and then rear at them. I sent him to 3 trainers all of whom sent him right back out of which one said “such a dangerous horse should be shot”. Anyway before attempting to sell him I thought why not give it a go. With him the game was to show him you’re boss, he’d charge you just had to stand your ground even if the blood drained out of you ? he’s bolt and buck and do all sorts of funny things to ‘test’ you. So with him I began doing a lot of free ground work to assert I’m herd leader not him ? anyway long story short in two years I was free jumping him over a metre twenty with not even a neck rope. Then came my rescue pony who had been hit by a truck and had a shattered leg which miraculously recovered. When I brought him home he was 6 years old and completely unbroken. With him you just had to get on with it with an insane amount of patient and humour. He needed a lot of reassuring. When we started jumping I would literally trot over the jump with my own legs to show him it won’t bite ? and last comes my mare who is the sweetest creature but 5 years old and with the energy of a rocket launcher. Initially I would fight her yanking and taking off with no breaks but then what really worked was just plain walking her for a long time once she was bored you start working and she’s a gem. Anyway I just wanted to know what opinions other people have on this and whether you too have some instances to share in this regard! ?

Picture attached is my ex race horse (the “dangerous” one)

 

[BaronSamedi]

Every horse is different and each horse is an individual. What works for some just doesn't others. Some thrive in routine others don't, just as some thrive with all year round turn out and others don't. Some feed makes some nuts and not others.

 

[Cortez]

Horses are as individual as people are, or any other animal. The key thing is to have a goal or end point to train for.

 

[Lois Lame]

I agree with the others. We are all individuals.