"growling" at horses!

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moneypit1

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Are you a growler? By that I mean, if your horse naps what do you do? Do you shout and growl like "get on with it" or whatever! Saw a person today whose horse was seriously napping. She was very vocal but did not back up the "growl" with anything else. Interested in your opinions. What would you have done?
 
I don't shout, but will growl at him and in a low tone 'get on with you'!
And if that doesn't work (leg tried first of course) he will get a tap with the stick, as he's young and big and doesn't need to learn there is a possibility of getting his own way!
 
I'm not sure I growl....... I do a low "get on" and a sharp oi or ah ah ah though and will follow up with a slap, pinch or smack if necessary.
 
I growl sometimes
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If my mare starts to be silly and I know it's just sillyness then I growl "get on" and she will then move. If she's in her stable and I ask for something like say she's not co-operating with me I just growl her name and she stands as if to say "ok, mum means it now" :)
 
I'm a growler!! I have a nappy horse who is made a lot worse by using a whip or anything physical used on him when in this "state". The only thing I've found that helps is growling at him... normally saying "get on"! After a few growls he moves forwards. Had some strange looks at hacking from passers by mind you!
 
Making a growling noise actually engages your core muscles. Try it while sitting at the computer. Engaging your core muscles equates to more positive riding so probably will make the horse respond more positively to you.
 
hmm, well have never had a nappy horse but I think I growl occasionally in the field if say i am putting out hay and the gang are getting a bit over eager for it! lol.
 
Yes.... I'm afraid I'm another of the growling and "Get ON!" brigade. Actually I was told by my RI (a man and ex-Royal Mews Army) last week not to do this "as it's not lady-like"! :D It's really hard NOT to be vocal when you're used to being it! :o
 
loverly said:
I'm a growler!! I have a nappy horse who is made a lot worse by using a whip or anything physical used on him when in this "state". The only thing I've found that helps is growling at him... normally saying "get on"! After a few growls he moves forwards. Had some strange looks at hacking from passers by mind you!
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Yep - I have one of those too! I don't carry a stick incase I am tempted to give him a smack if he naps, as I'd just end up on the floor! I sometimes do a 'pony club kick' to get him moving forward but growling is definitely the best plan!
 
sandy3924 said:
Making a growling noise actually engages your core muscles. Try it while sitting at the computer. Engaging your core muscles equates to more positive riding so probably will make the horse respond more positively to you.
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Good point! I am a growler, don't tap with whip unless I have to, but TBH growling 'gerrrrt on with ittttttttt' usually works!
 
yeah i do :D haha

then a sharp smack on the backside (and i mean whip in one hand...)

i dont like bad manners... and mine will nap given half the chance.
 
Yes I growl at horses if they are being nappy or naughty or whatever. If it doesn't have the desired effect I'll give them a smack if necessary.
 
No I find im a very silent rider. Even when things go wrong, like horse broncing or doing a funny jump I seem to just stay silent. Suppose its better than being too vocal and screaming in those situations
 
I growl alot at my little spanish horse its the only thing i can get away with without him going into orbit. The rest of mine a dirty look is enough
 
I growl. In fact I chatter away to her most of the time "Get OFF that leg/shoulder/rein/my foot, no... goooooddd girl, whoaaa"
She knows what I mean, I use totally different tones of voice when I am riding depending on what I am saying. On the floor my usual growl is "DON'T you dare".
Managed to do it in a tone once where horse stood stock still and stared at me in horror. Never managed that again!
 
I was taught, many years ago, by an ex cavalry officer instructor to "growl at the bleeping thing when he does that", so yes, I do growl!
 
I've had to growl to sort napping in the past and still drop my voice like that if he thinks about it these days! But then I see other people with horses which will respond to just a firm, level "get on/walk on".
 
MiCsarah said:
No I find im a very silent rider. Even when things go wrong, like horse broncing or doing a funny jump I seem to just stay silent. Suppose its better than being too vocal and screaming in those situations
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Yup, me too, although Mike responds very well to a loud "MICHAEL" or "Bad horse!". For napping TB I keep my hands wide and low, near my knees, so she can't spin, wait quietly until her tiny TB brain stops shorting out, then carry on, she doesn't back up though, just prances about a bit
 
Normally I am not very vocal, but my old mare used to nap sometimes and no amount of kicking, tapping with the whip, turning or manouvering would help in the slightest. But I found that if I growled 'Get on!' at her, she just did. In fact, it seemed to give her confidence. They are all different and it is a case of working out what works for each individual. Growling is not something I would choose to do (it's a bit embarassing in company), but if it is all that works then so be it.
 
Yes, another growler here. My mare was being naughty waiting at a junction with lots of traffic - I growled at her and I could feel she was mortified and then behaved :) she's not a naughty horse really anyway!
 
Yip another low toned growler here ...... Gerron, or if looking and backing off at a jump .... Gerrup !!! Usually followed by, good girl or good lad, as i find it quite effective
 
Yep another one here too! my little Welsh sec C was a nappy little so and so when I first backed her - ginger Welsh mare... says it all really! :D - hands wide and low, a couple of PC kicks and a loud, low geert on with you, you little witch! usually did the trick :)
 
When I'm not on a horse, I'm far too quiet and shy! However, when I get on a horse, I become quite vocal ^^ But only when it calls for it! Otherwise I just kinda...chatter on to him, I like doing a running commentary :P
 
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