twisteddiamond
Well-Known Member
the yard im at has just got a horse walker and i was wondering what the safest way to introduce a horse thats never been on one to it
introducing a horse to the horsewalker
- Thread starter twisteddiamond
- Start date
Stoxx
Well-Known Member
The first time I put mine on, we put an experienced, quiet horse in the partition in front of him so that he had someone to follow. Also did it at a quiet time so there weren't many distractions around.
twisteddiamond
Well-Known Member
this is the thing none of the horses at the yard have been on one apart from one ex racer.
she isnt likely to want to babysit everyone
JessPickle
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
this is the thing none of the horses at the yard have been on one apart from one ex racer.
she isnt likely to want to babysit everyone
[/ QUOTE ]
Well if the one that has been on one before, babysits one or two horses. You then have 3 horses that have been on it before.
this is the thing none of the horses at the yard have been on one apart from one ex racer.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well if the one that has been on one before, babysits one or two horses. You then have 3 horses that have been on it before.
catdragon
Well-Known Member
My spooky girl was introduced the same way as all the horses on our yard have been.
First time, headcollar & lead rope on, you go in and then someone else goes in the slot opposite (or 1 back from you in a 4 horse walker) and basically they push the walker whilst you walk around with your horse, continue until the horse settles. Depending on how your own horse reacts depends on when you go to the next stage, which is to switch the walker on, not engaging gear whilst person pushes manually, you are still leading your horse. As soon as they settle to the noise, the gear is then engaged, the person pushing leaves the walker as it goes past the gate. As long as your horse is happy, you then unclip your rope, and leave the walker as you go past ensuring your horse doesn't try to follow you! Then yell walk on (helps if your horse is voice activated like mine) until they get the idea, which is generally quite quickly...and presto...walker trained pony in 2-3 attempts
First time, headcollar & lead rope on, you go in and then someone else goes in the slot opposite (or 1 back from you in a 4 horse walker) and basically they push the walker whilst you walk around with your horse, continue until the horse settles. Depending on how your own horse reacts depends on when you go to the next stage, which is to switch the walker on, not engaging gear whilst person pushes manually, you are still leading your horse. As soon as they settle to the noise, the gear is then engaged, the person pushing leaves the walker as it goes past the gate. As long as your horse is happy, you then unclip your rope, and leave the walker as you go past ensuring your horse doesn't try to follow you! Then yell walk on (helps if your horse is voice activated like mine) until they get the idea, which is generally quite quickly...and presto...walker trained pony in 2-3 attempts
twisteddiamond
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
this is the thing none of the horses at the yard have been on one apart from one ex racer.
she isnt likely to want to babysit everyone
[/ QUOTE ]
Well if the one that has been on one before, babysits one or two horses. You then have 3 horses that have been on it before.
[/ QUOTE ]
true i think the cold has frozen my braincell lol
[ QUOTE ]
this is the thing none of the horses at the yard have been on one apart from one ex racer.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well if the one that has been on one before, babysits one or two horses. You then have 3 horses that have been on it before.
[/ QUOTE ]
true i think the cold has frozen my braincell lol
SpottedCat
Well-Known Member
Perhaps I am really odd - lead horse into walker, unclip leadrope, shut gate, turn on walker, watch to ensure horse gets the idea, up speed gradually until horse walking at right speed, do chores whilst periodically checking horse is ok, take horse off walker. If switching direction take speed right down before and after switch.
Never thought to spend hours teaching my horses to walk in a walker, they get put on it and they get on with it, never had one yet for whom this was a problem.....
Never thought to spend hours teaching my horses to walk in a walker, they get put on it and they get on with it, never had one yet for whom this was a problem.....
Morrigan_Lady
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps I am really odd - lead horse into walker, unclip leadrope, shut gate, turn on walker, watch to ensure horse gets the idea, up speed gradually until horse walking at right speed, do chores whilst periodically checking horse is ok, take horse off walker. If switching direction take speed right down before and after switch.
Never thought to spend hours teaching my horses to walk in a walker, they get put on it and they get on with it, never had one yet for whom this was a problem.....
[/ QUOTE ]
I must be odd aswell then, coz I do and have done exactly the same!
Perhaps I am really odd - lead horse into walker, unclip leadrope, shut gate, turn on walker, watch to ensure horse gets the idea, up speed gradually until horse walking at right speed, do chores whilst periodically checking horse is ok, take horse off walker. If switching direction take speed right down before and after switch.
Never thought to spend hours teaching my horses to walk in a walker, they get put on it and they get on with it, never had one yet for whom this was a problem.....
[/ QUOTE ]
I must be odd aswell then, coz I do and have done exactly the same!
Theresa_F
Well-Known Member
I am the same as you - put them on, hopefully another horse is also on too. Turn it on, watch for a minute and then go and do my jobs. I have done this with even my high strung WB and she was fine.
Maybe I am lucky but they have just all got on with it straight away. Only one that was a problem was Cairo who would on occasion just plant his arse and hold the walker. Even the shock system they introduced had no effect due to his huge bushy tail.
Running round with a shavings folk and pronging him got him going again until he had enough 2 mins later.
Maybe I am lucky but they have just all got on with it straight away. Only one that was a problem was Cairo who would on occasion just plant his arse and hold the walker. Even the shock system they introduced had no effect due to his huge bushy tail.
Running round with a shavings folk and pronging him got him going again until he had enough 2 mins later.
Stoxx
Well-Known Member
FWIW - I would never get in a walker with a horse. Nor would I advise to do this.
If the horse has a paddy when it is in there on it's own then it might come out with a couple of scrapes etc... if it does it while you are in there with it I'd hate to think of the consequences.
If the horse has a paddy when it is in there on it's own then it might come out with a couple of scrapes etc... if it does it while you are in there with it I'd hate to think of the consequences.
Ezme
Well-Known Member
QR all the horses at my old yard were just chucked on... walking is within sight of yard though. Maybe they just didn't have any particuarly nervy types.
BFG
Well-Known Member
Sorry but i really wouldnt walk round with then it is a confined space and wouldnt feel safe in there with my horse if he decided to start playing up.
My lad hates being confined and is a bit highly strung, or a wimp which ever you prefer and he went straight on it and was happy (ish) after a few times he was nice and happy and very settled.
My lad hates being confined and is a bit highly strung, or a wimp which ever you prefer and he went straight on it and was happy (ish) after a few times he was nice and happy and very settled.
Weezy
Well-Known Member
Absolutely do NOT recommend walking round a walker with a horse - sounds like an incredibly stupid thing to do to me!
I am like the others, stick them on, start it up, they soon get the idea and I have never had one not get it!
I am like the others, stick them on, start it up, they soon get the idea and I have never had one not get it!
RachelB
Well-Known Member
We have a five-bay walker at work. We stick one sensible horse in front and one sensible horse behind, then stick newbie in middle. Then proceed as does SpottedCat. I would never ever stay in the partition with the horse - utterly stupid thing to do. We did have one mare who wouldn't go on without panicking and my friend had to walk her round with me standing at the controls with my finger over the emergency stop button... I HATED it and would have refused point blank to do it myself. Luckily the mare got the hang of it and now goes on like a pro.
Horses aren't stupid - generally if a large metal/rubber partition is chasing them, they walk away from it...!
Horses aren't stupid - generally if a large metal/rubber partition is chasing them, they walk away from it...!
SouthWestWhippet
Well-Known Member
At my old yard, we just used to put the horses one the walker, watch for a couple of minutes to make sure they got the idea then leave them too it.
We rarely had any problems but the cobbier types did have a bit of a tendancy to 'sit' on the walker and stop it and some of the really bolshy haffie ponys got banned off the walker cos they would put their heads under the divider partition and try to lift it up to join the pony in front.
Oh and one naughty pony turned round and attempted to force her way into the 'carriage' behind her between the partition and the outside of the the walker which was a bit hairy. She only tried it once though - she quickly got the idea of what to do and would trot round quite happily
We rarely had any problems but the cobbier types did have a bit of a tendancy to 'sit' on the walker and stop it and some of the really bolshy haffie ponys got banned off the walker cos they would put their heads under the divider partition and try to lift it up to join the pony in front.
Oh and one naughty pony turned round and attempted to force her way into the 'carriage' behind her between the partition and the outside of the the walker which was a bit hairy. She only tried it once though - she quickly got the idea of what to do and would trot round quite happily