Introducing Benito the dream horse of my life - with pics :)

He is so scrummy! my horse hated being bathed when i got her and freaked out at the sight of a hosepipe, but with firm, patient handling and coaxing i can now bath her with a hose and wash her legs off, she has the odd day where she'll fidget a bit but mostly shes fine now. keep trying and you'll get there in the end.

Good luck!!!
 
Eva - he is gorgeous!!! Oh my life, he reminds me of my fella when he was that age - believe me, give him two years and he will look like a very different horse. Do enjoy his every minute won't you - it's wonderful that you're soo in love with him. You know, every day I look at my fella and fall for him all over again (hope my husband doesn't read this!!!)
 
oh showqa, I so understand you!!! my boyfriend is actually not impressed at all with me being at the yard every day :( he says it's unfair that I spend so much time for my "hobby", whereas it's actually one of the most important things to me :( oh well!

it's so good that you told me he's got a lot of developing to do, I'll be more patient and relaxed with him :) he's just so gorgeous I'm scared I'll spoil him too much if I'm not firm enough :)
 
You won't spoil him as long as you're firm, consistent, fair, understanding and patient - and allow him to be an individual. Love his quirks - that's what makes him unique. I could go on - I won't it'll bore everyone to tears - but my PRE has taught me more about myself than any other horse that I've known (glad my TB isn't IT savvy - ha ha ha!!)
 
You took a risk that has worked in your favour, he is beautiful and I love his colouring and that says a lot as i don't usually go for grays.

Bathing is a doddle to get over,

When I bought my Hackney he would go crazy just at the sight of a hose pipe and that was when it wasn't even turned on.

All I did was turn the tap on so that the water came out the hose slightly more than a trickle. I then held the hose about 4ft from the end so that there was plenty for him to see. When he backed off I moved with him keeping the same distance constantly. As soon as he stopped i backed off.

On day one I could hose his legs around the fetlocks
Day two I could hose up to his hocks
By day three I could hose all over apart from his head.

By the end of the week I could hose him head and all.

Oh and he was terribly head shy when I got him as well.

Once helearnt the water and hose was not gonna hurt him he was fine but then I also understand it depends on the horses temperament as well.

Anyway I am drifing off topic a little.. your horse looks beautiful and he seems to like you. from your photo's he looks like he is a gentle loving horse adn good luck in your dressage. it is something I have thought about but never done.
 
thanks KS1! he is the love of my life and I hope BF doesn't read this :)
it's not even the water that he hates, it's being tied up in a washroom, since it's winter now I won't wash him outdoors, it's too cold. He hates being alone in the washroom (with me of course) but when there's another horse he hates not being able to play with it, and if the other horse leaves (even if there is 2 more horses left in the room) he absolutely breaks down with neighing and pawing! I tried taking him there with calm horses who don't bat an eyelid and he's still the same! but the moment we go outside he is an angel again :) I'm just trying to wash him as little as possible, otherwise we just annoy everyone :( actually I think I might take him there more often and just give him some carrot when inside and lead him out, so he slowly associates it with smth better... unfortunately so far he's been too stressed to eat there, doesn't pay attention to the haynet. Oh well. I guess with time we'll be alright.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top