Is your horse tuned into you?

Ravenwood

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There have been lots of posts on here recently about being in tune with your horse (particularly the parellli posts) but whilst out exercising the other day I was thinking how in tune my horse is with me.

As soon as I turn my car up the drive they both start making their way up to the stables.

When out exercising I only have to say "Come on then", lift my shoulders and they start trotting, also when I relax and say "whoa" they come down a pace.

They are so in tune to me it is a pleasure they anticipate my slightest move (probably not always a good thing especially when it comes to loading!!) But its nice to know it works both ways.
 
Our two don't even look up when we turn up. They know exactly how long it takes us to walk up & prepare their feed & do not materialise at the stable block until 2 minutes before we leave the barn with their buckets. Very clever!
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Mine is tuned into me in that we are so similar, and my Mum's horse is just like her - most bazaar! Mum & I have very different personalities as do our horses.

ETS - mine uses my aids in a different way to yours. He anticipates what I am going to ask him for - so does the exact opposite!
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I think Chex is in tune with me, I don't really notice it until I work with another horse though and actually have to ask things properly! I think we just know each other inside out, so he picks up on tiny signals I don't even realise I'm giving out, like hacking I'll think I'm going to canter here, and off he goes - but I've not consciously asked him to, probably just shiften my weight a tiny bit or something. Either that or he's a mind reader
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LBO? Yes, definitely, he can read my mind I think!
If you go into his stable for a cheer-up cuddle, he will wrap his head around you & just stand there quietly! If he is being cheeky, he usually keeps one eye on you & it only needs 'a look' to tell him 'OK, enough now, behave!'
To me, this goes beyond simply his experience & training, he obviously makes a definite attempt to 'understand' you & is interested enough to try!
 
yup, my connie, I have to think and he does it, when riding, save when he is being stroppy..(he likes to play me up..it is just him!)
Big lad isn't quite as refined yet!
 
stan is very in tune with me and my emotions!
The realy lovely thing is that he comes to call but only to my voice and then he pelts it down the field. My brother is normaly the one to feed him as im out at the time the ponies get fed most days but my brother has to trek up the field to get him.
Stan also gives me hugs and kisses when im feeling a bit down and has been known to just stick his head on my shoulder and demand a hug.
i can leave him in the stable with the door open and tell him to stay and he will treat it as though the door is closed, he comes right up to the door way but never comes out untill you tell him and then he will walk straight up to you.

he also parks very well, ie when he is tacked up you park him in the middle of the yard and walk off and he will stand there untill i come back.

he also feeds off my feelings when were out hacking, i had a nasty accident involveing a white van and have developed a phobia of them, stan has also developed a phobia of them. He trusts me immensly when it comes to tractors, before i got him he had never seen one before and was terrified of them but a little bit of soothing talking strokeing his neck and some confidence on my part and he will go past them

i have gotten on him in the field with no headcollar or bridle or saddle and he has continued to graze.
ive sat next to him when he was lieing down in his stable and he has put his head in my lap.
ive walked up the field to find him flat out on his side asleep and he didnt move an inch when i lay down next to him with my head on his neck.

he also guards me from the other horses, no idea why but he does get quite territorial and chases the others off.

he also comes up and starts grooming me occasionally. and will follow me round for hours when i poo pick the field

this trust from him was built up by just being sensible no funny natural horsemanship games or expensive devices just good old common sense.
 
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Sorry to be dim - what is LBO?

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Ooh, sorry!
LBO = Little Black One. (Small Welsh sec B, kind eye, lovely nature, massive superiority complex, pretty much lord of all he surveys! lol)
 
I think sometimes we're too much in tune.. he feeds off my nervousness and gets very nervous himself.. but I guess with some work on my part that should get better.
It's lovely to go to his field and call him, and he looks up and legs it to the gate... its like, even though we have our problems.. we're doing something right
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..also.. because he hasnt been shod when he should have been (farrier phobia, we've got a barefoot trimmer out on tuesday) when I go to see him I check his shoes are still ok. I just have to say 'harry, lets check shoesies' and he lifts his fronts up in turn to show me. So cute!

xx
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry to be dim - what is LBO?

[/ QUOTE ]
Ooh, sorry!
LBO = Little Black One. (Small Welsh sec B, kind eye, lovely nature, massive superiority complex, pretty much lord of all he surveys! lol)

[/ QUOTE ]

LMAO, I know another like that JAK!!
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think Pidge is tuned into me now
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only have to think canter and he gets excited. He does pick up on the mood I'm in as well. If he starts to untie himself I only have to look at him and he stops with a look on his face saying "what! I wasn't doing anything honest
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mine both call and go to teh gate when they see me.beyonce is great to lead follows me closely
shantih was fab to ride.only needed slightest word or change of tension and she would change pace, halt etc, real pleasure to ride.
 
Rock's has always been very in tune with me, always watching me and following me with his ears, and when im riding his ears are constantly swivelling to me and hes always listening waiting for me to ask him something.
Its interesting actually as yesterday i was out riding with a client and i took Rock along, and half way through the ride she said 'ive been watching you and its amazing how Rocks is always listening to you and concentrating on your every move'
I dont even really have to use my legs to ask anything, just a slight change in my body weight and he trots, or walks, or moves sideways, hes so in tune he responds to the slightest change in my position
 
I would say after nearly ten years, Lady and I are very in tune, we know each other very well and I don't have to think about riding her, if that makes sense. Both Lady and Fudge, watch my every move, they come to call, know the sound of my car and I feel we have a very close bond.
 
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