My girl will not stand still?

Champion1969

Champion1969

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How do I teach her to stand still, I had to tie her up to wash her mane and tail, what a performance, she kept moving towards me and squashing me against the wall. I have untied her and walked her in a circle then but her back and repeated, again and again.
 
You won't like this but, tie her up at 8am in the morning, get yourself a deckchair, drink and a book and sit within sight of her but well away from her. Leave her tied up and ignored for as long as it takes. She will get over herself in her own sweet time and you will find out how smart she is.
 
AdorableAlice said:
You won't like this but, tie her up at 8am in the morning, get yourself a deckchair, drink and a book and sit within sight of her but well away from her. Leave her tied up and ignored for as long as it takes. She will get over herself in her own sweet time and you will find out how smart she is.
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Honestly? :)
 
Yes honestly. It is an old fashioned view I am afraid. You need to be able to get to her if she runs back (I assume she has been taught to tie up properly ?). If you respond to her fidgeting and messing she will do it all the more. Think about it she is controlling you not the other way round. To be useful she needs to accept being tied where ever you put her, at home, wagon, show etc. It is an important lesson.

As I said, very few people will agree with me and it is crucial the horse has been taught to tie up and always use the appropriate headcollar/rope.
 
I agree with the above. My neighbour teaches his horses to stand before they are broken and they will often be tied up for an hour or two in round pens but they are the best horses for standing iv ever seen.

Tie her up start as you usually do if she squashes you just leave her stand there for a good while, go back and try again and repeat till she stands. It might take a while but she will get bored and untying her and leading her around is probably the worst thing you could do.
She also needs to be taught voice commands so if she does squash a firm no should suffice and also to move when pressure is applied to her side.
All the above should be taught when you have plenty of time of course!
 
Does she stand still when you do other things, or is it just washing?
Has she been taught to tie up properly? If not you need to start there. Get a helper, put the rope through the tie-ring with the helper holding it while you get on with doing whatever it is you wan to do. Reward the horse for standing for a short time and increase the time. Progress to having horse tied with helper standing close, then helper can walk away. If it's just washing that she fidgets for you need to go back to just wetting her feet and build up from there.
 
Please remember whatever you choose to do, never ever leave unattended and always have a knife in your pocket when you handle any horse in any situation.
 
AdorableAlice I like this. I have recently bought a 2 yr old and to say I am out of my comfort zone is an underestimate. But today I bought the youngsters pony companion in so my daughter could ride (first time in 3 weeks). The baby ran around a bit but we just ignored her as she watched intently as daughter rode in school, then we decided to wash Pony's mane and tail. The youngster very quickly got bored stressing about what we were doing and fell asleep by the electric fencing.. So I am learning to ignore her fussing whilst getting on with doing something else. I am hoping that she is learning that nothing bad is going to happen whilst I do stuff with the other two, and that she is perfectly able to cope for a bit being ignored. Alternatively I am doing it all wrong... time will tell, just going by observations, but very hard,as I worry about messing her up.
 
Is it just when washing or doing things or just generally when tied? Mine moved around a lot when washing at first. I just built up with quick sponge downs or just a mane and tail wash. I just follow her back and forth as she swings round and keep on washing, then when she realises it'll still happen and stands nice and still give her a break and praise or sometimes a treat.

She really dislikes water dripping around her back legs so I wash her tail away from her and wring it out if I have to let it go between rinses, to make it a bit less unpleasant for her!
 
I think you have to deal with this as two seperate issues.
Firstly, teaching to tie up for periods of time is imperative. As Adorable Alice says, when you are not under pressure time wise. Start by making sure your horse isn't hungry or due a feed and be patient and calm.
Secondly, bathing. I always prefer not to have them tied up but with a bridle on and leading rope. That way start with a dry sponge, then damp, then wet. If the horse wants to walk around you in circles its far safer than being crushed against a wall. A second person is always a help. Use warm water and again be patient and calm. Try and repeat as often as possible as you never know when you need to cold hose following an injury.
 
Champion1969 said:
Its all the time, she's such a fidget. Lets hope the weather is nice tomorrow, its going to be a long long day :)
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As it is ingrained behaviour you will probably see her have a good paddy when you do not go to her when she thinks you should. Give her a net, tied high enough to prevent any feet getting into it.

You need to be able to recognise the difference between impatient bad manners and distress. I think from your initial post the horse is rude rather than frightened. I say again, someone must be within 10 yards or so of the horse and the horse must be wearing safe kit and tied to a safe peg that is attached to a sound structure.
 
MissyMew said:
AdorableAlice I like this. I have recently bought a 2 yr old and to say I am out of my comfort zone is an underestimate. But today I bought the youngsters pony companion in so my daughter could ride (first time in 3 weeks). The baby ran around a bit but we just ignored her as she watched intently as daughter rode in school, then we decided to wash Pony's mane and tail. The youngster very quickly got bored stressing about what we were doing and fell asleep by the electric fencing.. So I am learning to ignore her fussing whilst getting on with doing something else. I am hoping that she is learning that nothing bad is going to happen whilst I do stuff with the other two, and that she is perfectly able to cope for a bit being ignored. Alternatively I am doing it all wrong... time will tell, just going by observations, but very hard,as I worry about messing her up.
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Sounds like you are doing well and not out of your depth. I certainly know what you mean though, have a look at my thread called 'My Next Equine Project' I started it in June 2012 when I acquired a feral yearling. I was way out of my depth and he is a big boy (Shire x) I posted on the forum and had lots of good ideas put to me.

I think it is important to get away from the idea of - it's a baby, fine as foals but when they are going on 2 they are young horses and have to accept that handling/manners etc are part of their lives. It is important the environment they live in is safe. If I leave one of my youngsters out in the paddock they can always see another horse in the adjoining paddock. The Shire couldn't care less if he has a mate or not, but the filly gets silly and takes a few minutes to settle when she is left. They have lived together for six months and were separated last weekend without any real fuss.

Good luck with your young horse, you will be fine, just think before you do and look at the long term goal. Keep it all safe, reasonable in your requests and consistent in the way you do things.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Sounds like you are doing well and not out of your depth. I certainly know what you mean though, have a look at my thread called 'My Next Equine Project' I started it in June 2012 when I acquired a feral yearling. I was way out of my depth and he is a big boy (Shire x) I posted on the forum and had lots of good ideas put to me.

I think it is important to get away from the idea of - it's a baby, fine as foals but when they are going on 2 they are young horses and have to accept that handling/manners etc are part of their lives. It is important the environment they live in is safe. If I leave one of my youngsters out in the paddock they can always see another horse in the adjoining paddock. The Shire couldn't care less if he has a mate or not, but the filly gets silly and takes a few minutes to settle when she is left. They have lived together for six months and were separated last weekend without any real fuss.

Good luck with your young horse, you will be fine, just think before you do and look at the long term goal. Keep it all safe, reasonable in your requests and consistent in the way you do things.
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Thank you AdorableAlice.

I've been a complete numpty and forgot my field key, so tomorrow hopefully with have an update for you all :)
 
Thanks AdorableAlice. I have been following your antics with your big lad. Dare I say one of the reasons I wanted to have a youngster. Tried to put all three together today not very successful. So young lady is staying with old pony for a while and Billy will be on his own the other side of the electric fence.. Until they can all play nicely.
 
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