New horse new yard problems

W

wernickwonder

Active Member
Joined
30 May 2012
Messages
46
Visit site
Hi I have just acheived a lifetime goal and bought my first horse at 56 We are in a lovely yard and she is out in a nice paddock was previously in. I have tried to bond with her but every time I am with her someone turns up and interfers presuming I want to catch her or that I am having a problem I am trying to build her trust as she is in a new place and doesnt know me and after having difficulties I am treating and being with her without catching or grabbing Yesterday as I came to visit her a yard mate informed me that she had tried to catch her and bring her in as she was "screaming " and distressed as no other ponys were in their paddocks! Another offered me food to catch her but said not too give her too much as she probably had not had proper food in a while ? She is in a green field and we are also giving her hay!
They are always fiddling around with their horses who are tbs mine is a cob and whilst a novice owner I have a friend also with a cob who is giving me plenty of WELCOME advice I know they are only trying to help but it is annoying Any advice on how to catch horse and deal with yard mates
Not happy
 
What does she do when you try and catch her? Can you get up close to her now?
I'm presuming she's out 24/7?

I haven't got much advice regarding people at the yard, I tend to just nod knowingly and then ignore unwanted advice :) If they interfere when you're in the field just be honest and say your aim isn't to catch her.
 
stargirl88 said:
What does she do when you try and catch her? Can you get up close to her now?
I'm presuming she's out 24/7?

I haven't got much advice regarding people at the yard, I tend to just nod knowingly and then ignore unwanted advice :) If they interfere when you're in the field just be honest and say your aim isn't to catch her.
Click to expand...

I have got close to her but if I look as if I am going to catch her or reach out she walks or trots away she seems a little head shy I dont know if they had problems with her where she was before they are not returning my calls lol not a good sign she was in when i viewed her and went into stable when she arrived but we put her out as weather was so nice
 
Why have you posted this again when your first post was just down the page? I'm not about to repeat myself....!
 
First of all congrats on getting your first horse.

If your cob is anything like mine, food is most definitely the way to their hearts. So I would take something yummy with you, polos, carrots, horse treats. Even if you don't catch her, give her a treat and Mummy will start mean good things. This is when you can start being a bit sneaky, first with just getting the rope around her neck, and then slowly getting the head collar on.

Is there any chance of getting down the yard early or late when no one else is around? Then you can spend some time just the two of you. It's all about getting to know each other, even if that just means sitting in the field with her?

Good luck! :)
 
Unfortunately it does rather sound as though your new horse is training you. If you make an attempt to catch/ touch her and it fails then she has just learned that she can do what she wants. Try taking some apples or carrots in with you and let her have them but she must let you put your hand on her neck or shoulder.

We've all been on yards wher others interfere but it does sound as though your fellow liveries see a novice owner whose horse is running rings around them. If I saw a horse getting stressed because it had no companions I would be inclined to catch it in before it I injured itself (although we have a rule that a horse cannot be left out on it's on).

See if there is one other person on the yard that you can go to or help. When the others see that you are receiving help they will probably back off.
 
Tend to agree with eggs, that this new horse is taking advantage!! It also sounds as if there was a bit of an issue here to begin with, as she was in a stable when you saw her and the seller is not returning your calls?

How old is your cob?

With regards to someone bringing in your horse, I have to say that if one of our yard horses was turned out alone (though we don't do this, as they do get stressed, as your fellow livery said) and was stressed, I would also bring it in. As I am sure you are aware, horses are herd animals and like to be together or at least within sight and sound of companions.

You mention bonding with her but I would also bear in mind that, for her, bonding with her new equine friends is more important!

Also re bonding, if I'm understanding this correctly you are doing this by spending time in the field with her? Leading your fellow liveries to offer advice?
If this is the case can I suggest you change tactics? Spending time in the field with her is only going to compound any problems you are having catching her. She doesn't know the difference between 'bonding' time and 'catching' time and so if you're just hanging around aimlessly in the field without catching her she's going to take this as the way forward. Instead, use the times when you ride her / groom her to bond.

By all means take treats when you go to catch her but make sure she doesn't simply snatch them from you and then run off. When you are going to catch her, make every effort to leave WITH her. The more times you give up the more established this problem will become. Be purposeful in your dealings with her. If she is anything like my cob she will be very intelligent!!

Can she be turned out with another horse? If so, it can be useful as then you can bring the other horse in first if yours refuses to be caught. Watching her new friend being led away should make her think twice about staying out in the field!

If you have a Natural Horsemanship person in your area it may be worthwhile getting in touch with them and organising to do some join up with your horse. This will help in all areas.

On a final note, try to bear with the advice from fellow liveries. It may seem annoying but everyone likes to feel important and offer their view, some may be useful to you and these are people you will be seeing every day for a very long time, so fostering good relations will only be to your benefit!
 
If your yard owner will let you put up a small pen in the corner of the field with electric fencing. You can herd your horse into it and shut the gate, they often give in if contained. Even if he doesn't ,you stand a better chance of bonding if you're in close proximity rather than on opposite sides of the field.:cool:

Get some professional help to do ground work - your horse is more likely to accept you as leader if you are bossy than if you try to be his mate.
 
I really think that spending time in the field with your horse is a mistake on my yard the field is their time we disturb them as little as possible it's their time just to be horses.
establish a routine for your new horse do the same things at the same time and take lots of advice from anyone prepared to help you will quickly learn whose is the best .
Horses should not be left out alone stressing the other livery was right to bring your horse in.
remember it's more important to a horse that a rider is the horses leader than it's friend.
 
wernickwonder said:
I am trying to build her trust as she is in a new place and doesnt know me and after having difficulties I am treating and being with her without catching or grabbing
Click to expand...

You said in your other thread that you can't catch the horse?

If so, unless you bought her to be a pet in a field, it does sound as if she's training you very well if it continues for long... She really needs to 'do' something you want to warrant the treats rather than establish the idea that you are someone who shows up, brings nicies that she can enjoy and pootle off as she sees fit... Think of it as the difference between rewarding a small child for holding your hand, walking with you and then walking out of a play park with you versus shovelling goodies at the kid whilst they're refusing to leave and hoping you'll both be able to leave at some point... One of those children will learn to leave the park appropriately a lot faster than the other... :)

brucethegypsycob said:
spotted cat - you strike me as being a bit of an on line bully. be careful - i might just report you.
Click to expand...

I hope that was meant tongue in cheek or it is just ridiculously silly... :)
 
Congratulations on your first horse!!! I would not go with the food option, as when your horse see's you, instantely he's going to think of you as the food bearer, and you want him to think of you as the leader. You want to wear the trousers in this relationship, or you're cream crackered. If you type up on the internet, how to catch a horse, Monty Roberts way, and that will be your answer. Monty Roberts uses Natural Horsemanship. You want to make your horse want to be with you, just because you're a good leader. If you make yourself a good leader. you will be able to do anything with him. Could I also suggest doing something called Join-Up(Another Mony Robers thing) It realy does work. Sorry if you know all this, i just don't know if you're a novice or anything so sorry if you're not and know all of this haha. Good luck, look forward to seeing further post's about how you two are getting on. :-)
 
Forgot to mention, referance the people situation, tell them how it is, if you don't like them doing something, say could you not do this or that please, this is my horse, and i'd prefer to do it this way... Yes they may not like it, but at the end of the day, if they're interfering, they deserve to be spoken to like that. x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top