Join-up...opinions and tips please :)

[welshponylover]

I put another post up last night about bonding with my laddy and people were talking about join-ups. I have never done it myself but i get the idea and i was just wondering if any of you have had success or if there are any pointers you could give me? Would be grateful to any cos i don't want to do it wrong!
From my understanding you let the horse loose in the school and 'drive' him round using a lungeing whip and your voice, as he starts to lower his head, and he chews around his mouth a bit and his ears go up, you turn, not making eye contact and he will follow you around. Am i right?

Will take some piccies

 

[Farma]

Yeah thats pretty much it - I just loose school mine once theyre nice and relax and swinging, one ear on you and its time to finish come back to walk and turn away slightly and let them come in to you - then you can have whatever fun you like with them - I normally have a little mooch around at the end just for fun.

 

[xRobyn]

You should be able to get the horse to increase/decrease gait and change direction simply using your body. I've never used a lunge line or anything actually. I also make sure he knows the difference by either having him all tack-less or just in head collar rather than bridle/boots etc.

 

[Tickles]

Some horses will do the following thing without needing to be chased away first.

You're basically saying
- I'm going to kick you out the herd (to be eaten by wolves)
- Oh, OK then, you can come back

and then hoping horse is grateful enough (to avoid wolves) that it treats you as herd leader.

If you already have or are making a good bond then you can skip the scaring it part and get straight on to fun free-schooling games

 

[Natch]

I wouldn't do join up until you have had proper instruction. There may be a Kelly Marks recommended associate in your area you call call out to teach you? If nothing else then research it well and practice on an older more understanding horse first.

 

[Lobelia_Overhill]

I did a Join Up session with my bhoy, and I found it helped a lot -he'd been getting really aggressive in the stable and spooking like mad when I was riding- after the Join Up he stopped attacking me in the stable and his spooking reduced considerably, and we have a lovely bond with each other now

 

[sychnant]

Recommended Associates will not teach join up

I would suggest that you use your body language to send your horse away, rather than a lunge whip. When lunging, you don't want your horse to turn in to you whenever it feels like it, and the lunge whip is your tool to keep them out. If you can use body language only, I personally think there is less chance of then having problems when lunging

 

[Foxhunter49]

I agree that Join Up can work but, you do need instruction.

I will also say that if you offer your horse firm and fair leadership he will bond just as fast as with Join Up.
Any animal feels safer when there are boundaries enforced and as trust is proven so the boundaries can widen.

 

[Kokopelli]

Join up is fab, I love to have a little play with my boy every now and again. He follows me around the yard like a lost puppy half the time.
You have the basic idea although I wouldn't use the whip. To send horse away you need to be behind the movement try raising your hand and opening your fingers. To get the horse to slow down lower your arm and relax your body.

A fab book to get is Monty Roberts: From my hands to yours second edition.

It has a picture guide of join up which is very useful and also has some other training tips which are fab.

 

[SpottyTB]

Did join up with my hormonal mare who hated all humans - it took a few attempts and plenty of building up (such a stubborn horse!!) but eventually worked, ear locked onto me, head lowered and finally the licking and chewing! Had her follow me into a lorry (she would NEVER load before) really beneficial for her - but every horse is different!

Also did It with my young pony and it happened almost straight away! It's a great way to establish rules and leadership ie. Your the herd leader which will obviously create a stronger bond between horse and owner/rider.

worth a try but you also don't want to do it wrong, I read a book on it and watced several video's on it which allowed me to pick it up