Natural horsemanship

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katydixon

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Hi, I wanted to have a go at doing some natural horsemanship with my mini shetland mare, 3 yrs, does anyone know of any good training techniques or websites where I can get some information to have a go? I have experience with horses, but have never owned a mini shetland before (i rescued her about a year ago) any advice? I don't want to train her to be ridden, just to do some fun activities to get her trust up a bit :) thanks!
 
I second richard maxwell and Michael peace, also have a look at Warwick Schiller on you tube, he does at least one vid with a tiny tot. We have two mini Shetlands (one is a livery) and a miniature horse cross and the thing to remember is that you treat them just like a horse, ours are very well mannered and handled and we have miniature lunge cavesson, mini lunge roller and absolutely tiny brushing boots to do work with them, they are worth getting (from Dinky rugs) and great fun!
 
I am having lessons with a "think like a pony" instructor. It's really good fun. I think they have a website where you can see if there is an instructor near you.
 
Another vote for Michael Peace; have seen him do a demo and it was very much a "common sense" approach with practical solutions for practical problems, not airey fairy stuff!

Also I'd recommend, for one-to-one, an "Intelligent Horsemanship" practitioner to get you going with some groundwork.

How sensible you are OP, to realise that a miniature Shetland is NOT like some big hairy shaggy dog, it is a PONY!!! And will behave like a pony and not a dog!!! Therefore needs treating like a pony. Obvious? yes, but so many people just don't get that, resulting in spoilt, out-of-hand sad little ponies that are totally unmanageable - and dangerous.

Good luck with yours!

Sorry (edited): you could have a look at Vanessa Bee's "horse agility" website - if you are ever able to do so, do go along to one of her days/workshops. Vanessa is a fantastic instructor and facilitator, and ever time I've seen her interact with horses, I've learnt something new.
 
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well i've never worked with a mini before, always had horses/ponies, but when my friend told me that no one wanted her (she works at a rescue centre) and asked if i could take her on i said yes of course! great companion for my older retired mare, but seems a shame to sit in a field! so thought i'd see whats out there for me to do with her that improves our one to one relationship :) must say i love mini's a lot more than i thought i would! great characters :)
 
Our 7 hh mini loves jumping and she loves to be useful and to pull stuff, so some basic education of lunging, long reigning and voice commands comes in very handy. But most of all she loves her twice weekly hour long in hand hack along the bridal paths. Little ears perked up, good opportunity to test all that groundwork whilst out in the wider world. Once you've had a mini, you'll never go back. They're so much fun. B*stards with fencing etc, but very responsive little ponies. In the main I work my mini much the same as I work my bigun, just taking her wee size into consideration over certain things. but other than that, just respect and train as you would a bigger pony or horse from the ground. x
 
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