Ground work advice

Ystradmeadow94

Active Member
Joined
15 March 2013
Messages
35
Visit site
I have a 15 hands welsh part bred gelding. I brought him 3 1/2 years ago off a dealer, he was lovely when I tried him. I got him home and he turned in to a real handful (stallion like behaviour), I had the vet out and had him rig tested. He came back on the test positive, he later went for surgery and had 2 testicals taken out his stomach.
He had quite a quiet first year with me. I have always had trouble leading him, started off in a chifney, and he is now in a bridle and I lead him with 2 ropes like reins so I can stear him. I have tried many halters but found none of them worked on him as it was more the stearing I had an issue with not control. He has all the tricks in the book, he curls you up with his neck and teeth, and then strikes his leg out sideways to try and trip you!
He can also be quite difficult in the yard. He will try and bite you while you are putting his rugs on, and picking his feet out, but only in the evening near tea time. He is very protective of his food, you can't do anything to him while he is eating, but has improved slightly in the fact that he would never let anyone in while he was eating but I can now go and skip out while he is in there now.
I moved yards quite recently, he came off a yard with 20 horses and is now on a yard with 2, I think he likes the quiter yard as his behaviour has improved slightly and he seems a lot more relaxed.
I would like to know if anyone can give me any ideas on how to deal with him at tea time? and any leading exercises I could try with him? Thanks
 
I always leave my horse in peace when he's eating. He wants to be left in peace and that's fine. After 18 months of owning him, he's better than he was if he has food, but I think he doesn't want to be fiddled with when eating - fair enough - nor do I. As for the other things, I thoroughly recommend Alexandra Kurland's "Clicker Training for your horse" - I used to think clicker training was a bit crap, but I've managed to turn my current horse, who hated being brushed, or touched, (he would flick his tail, ears back and lots of warnings to me but no really bad aggression) into a horse who will stand relaxed while I groom him - even his belly - in just a few weeks. It's as though he now understands that I'm his friend. I tried clicker training in desperation - after 18 months of endless patience, kindness, psychology etc. it wasn't working. Now it is.
 
I could write you an essay on basics but to me you need outside help because if you cant lead him in anything but a bridle or chifney its getting dangerous :(

Whereabouts are you?
 
Top