Hello and advice please

[meggull]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted on here for a while so I wanted to say hi again. After 3 years of sharing horses I have decided to bite the bullet and have brought my own horse again. I now have a lovely 16.1hh Cleveland Bay mare called Dorking, or Dorky to her friends.

She arrived on Tuesday and seems pretty happy, she is so calm under the saddle if a little lazy!!!

However, on the ground she can be very bargy, especially when she is nervous (generally if there aren't other horses around). She is only 5 so I think a lot of this is her immaturity, however I do want to try and set the ground rules from early on. I have been doing dome ground work with her - getting her to move backwards, sideways etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to make her less bargy?

Thanks

Meg

 

[Meandtheboys]

yes i have one of them..........i use the Monty Roberts control headcollar - it works wonders!!

 

[CBFan]

Fellow CB owner here! and I too would recomend a monty roberts 'Dually' halter.

I would sugest that she is probably just feeling rather unsettled so keep persisting with her, be firm but fair and she will learn to trust and respect you.

 

[mickey]

I think you should carry on with your groundwork which is definitely the right way to go. Apart from Monty Roberts and Parelli (which by the way have fairly different methods), you can read the equestrian magazines. They often have articles on behaviour (people such as Michael peace working with horses). If you go to www.intelligenthorsemanship.com (or.co.uk) this is the main MR site and might be helpful.

If you use a pressure halter the MR looks to me to be milder than the Parelli one. I have used both. You really do have to make sure that when you apply pressure you release it at exactiy the right time (when you get the desired behaviour). Otherwise you can continue asking the horse to behave in a certain way even though she has already produced the desired behaviour, in which case the reward is not instantly there and this can lead to confusion as to when she has done right or wrong.

I think it is really best to get a person to show you who knows the correct way of applying pressure.

You can try join up to gain respect and portray yourself as herd leader and one to be trusted. Again, an experienced person will help.

If she is new to the yard she will probably benefit from a constant routine and she will need to spend time with you (just grooming etc may help) to gain your trust and get to know you. It will take time so don't expect it to come instantly! If she's in a shared field there may be a bit of 'argy bargy' until the pecking order is established.

Lots of forage to keep her occupied - And again take the riding easy right now, esp with her age. Don't expect too much and be quick to praise to gain confidence.

I use the voice a lot and this REALLY does help me, esp if you are consistent with the words and tones that you use.

Have fun, I am sure you will have many good yrs to come. If you ever want to mail me, please do. I am not the expert, but I have done a fair bit of this stuff with my horse.

You may know quite a bit of this anyway so sorry if so!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

Hi i think you need to be extra firm initially and set the gound rules!! Try to keep in a routine and tell her off if she gets in youor space! Be consistant in what you want, and make sure you have plenty of time. Dont accept some behaviour just cos you are in a hurry. If she is rude to you you are within yoour rights to be rude back (even if it means a good smack). Horses are far too big and strong to accept bad manners from. Once you have established that you are the boss!!! in every situation then she will trust and respect you. Good luck. A good instructor can help you build a good partnership, money well spent in the early days especially as she is still a youngster.

 

[meggull]

Thank you for your advice, I will definately continue with the ground work - i used it with my last horse who wouldn't load so feel pretty comfortable with when to release etc.

I think I just need to remind myself that it does take time and she is still young. I am so lucky as she is happy in the field and already knows her place (at the bottom of the pecking order) and she is lovely to ride.

She is on part livery as I work long hours and away a fair bit so she will have a routine. I am trying to get there every night to ride and spend time with her.

Thanks again and I am sure lots of questions will come up. It's a big change going from riding older horses who have well and truley settled in but hopefully I will get there. Good things come to those who wait...

 

[mickey]

Yup, I think you have it all in hand. Just be patient and then positive with your instruction. Praise good behaviour and ask for it. If she doesn't react 1st time add a bit more pressure to reinforce things. (Eg if you want her to go back, use your voice - I use 'back' and then I push on my horse's chest (a prod). If no reaction I use firmer prod and voice.

The way you hold your body/stance is also important. A good book to read is Kelly Marks - How to behave so your horse does the same (or a similar title). I really recommend buying that. I prefer the Monty Roberts method as I think you have to be pretty experienced to use Parelli without getting it wrong (well that was wot I found but maybe that's just me!)

It's really good fun practising all this and will help you get a great bond. I can tell that you care and have a good attitude. Let us know how it goes!!!