Witchy
Well-Known Member
I've been befriending a youngster that will be 2 in April but I guess he was forced onto a lorry, herded into a pen, forced onto another lorry and then ended up at my yard.
Basically I've taken him on and have been working with him for a few weeks. He's now happy with my presence in his paddock with his other 3 ferrel friends, knows his name and greedily takes hay from me.
I've now started to try and get us closer by actually touching him but he seems really like "seriously don't touch me, its the last thing I want!". His ears go back and he sometime threatens to kick.
Yesterday I had him in a stable with his 'ridden' friend, who I was stroking and fussing and rubbing all over to show that I'm no threat. I'd then slowly walk over to him sideways with my eyes on the ground and try to get near him. I can get a metre close to him without any food but if I try any further he either finds a gap to move away or he does his "sod off, get away" face.
How can I work this, should I just dump myself in the middle of the stable with just him and me and just wait. Wait for him to come to me out of curiosity??
I've got the patience of a saint and all summer to get this little bugger to like me but any 'next step' guidance from you would be gratefully received.
One of his mates lets me stroke his nose already, maybe he likes me better and I should let the pony choose me rather than choose the one I want..... (sorry thinking aloud here)....
Basically I've taken him on and have been working with him for a few weeks. He's now happy with my presence in his paddock with his other 3 ferrel friends, knows his name and greedily takes hay from me.
I've now started to try and get us closer by actually touching him but he seems really like "seriously don't touch me, its the last thing I want!". His ears go back and he sometime threatens to kick.
Yesterday I had him in a stable with his 'ridden' friend, who I was stroking and fussing and rubbing all over to show that I'm no threat. I'd then slowly walk over to him sideways with my eyes on the ground and try to get near him. I can get a metre close to him without any food but if I try any further he either finds a gap to move away or he does his "sod off, get away" face.
How can I work this, should I just dump myself in the middle of the stable with just him and me and just wait. Wait for him to come to me out of curiosity??
I've got the patience of a saint and all summer to get this little bugger to like me but any 'next step' guidance from you would be gratefully received.
One of his mates lets me stroke his nose already, maybe he likes me better and I should let the pony choose me rather than choose the one I want..... (sorry thinking aloud here)....
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