Rochelle1138
Active Member
Hi Everybody!
I'm new to all of this, but have found the ability to see so many peoples opinions in one place a great benefit. I thought id share woith you the beginning of my journey with the latest addition to the family.
I recently bought an 18 month Old WB x TB filly, who I hope will become another great friend and companion like my 17year old Arab Mare. I was looking for something that I could bring on from the begging, finally having enough time and money to extend the equine family.
I saw Zara's advert and was immediately struck at what a beautiful ( I'm biased I know
) girly she was. I went to view her and knew she was the one. When I viewed her the first time, the vendor was keen to tell me that she had done some NH with her when she had first bought her as a wild yearling. She said it was really beneficial and Zara had responded well.
On the day we went to collect her, Zara was in a Monty Roberts Dually Head collar - not a piece of equipment I was familair with, but with it having the option of clipping to the area a standard head collar would be used from I thought nothing more.
As expected, and it being only her second time in front of a tailer, Zara was unsure, that was fine I told the vendor we had plenty of time and i would prefer it if she took 3 hours and went in quietly and not bullied than dragged in ( as a helpful farm hand had offered to do!
)
It soon became clear that patience wasnt everyones virtue and whilst i had nipped to the front of the car, the leadrope had been attached to one of the training rings on the side of the head collar. I came back to the side of the trailer to see the vendor leaning a heck of a lot of weight back on the leadrope, whilst telling my friend that my baby would yield to the pressure.
Well to make this now very long threada bit shorter, lets say that baby decided having her nose squashed to bits was no fun and lets pull back, at which point the girl pulling let go! Zara was up on her backegs and turning in the air to miss the side of the trailer, and came down on top of me. This I do not think has anything to do with her manners, more what had gone on. 9 for those wondering, I had thought that baby would be more familiar with her old owner and perhaps more trusting to go into the trailer than with myself who was at that moment a complete stranger to her- hind sight is a wonderful thing.
I managed to get into the farmhouse to ice my face which was beautifully grazed, and my friend took over form the vendor who quickly decided they needed to get to work..In less than half an hour my friend had quietly coaxed Zara in and we were thankfully away.
Then came the next three rears, all which occured when any firm no, and pull on an ordinary head collar occured. (i definately not using the Dually again at this point).
Zara had a lack of personal space. So not wanting to place my friends at the yard at risk when bringing her in or out of the field, I went in search of a NH.
My theory was go back to what I believed had casued her fear and lack of confidence in the equipemnt that had been mis used on her.
I came accross Patrick Gracey ( finally to the title of the thread, congratulations if you've stuck it out to here) and yesterday we paid him a visit.
His place is relatively small, but well equiped, clean and presentable. His Irish charm instantly put me at ease, and I can honestly say, that 2 hours with that man, was the most beneficial thing I think i could havedone in my circumstances.
My other half drove us to him ( he's not horsey and sceptical usually) but he too was amazed at what can be done.
I feel empowered and confident that I can help my youngster who clicked wonderfully with the groundwork, and plenty of things for me to take home and practice, and the confidence he gave her to load when we were ready for going home.
She had loaded quite well in the morning with the temptation of some feed, but after a slight paddy with Patrick (some 'let me show you my spanish walk mr.' too) my girl was loading the end of a 30ftline into the box, standing quietly and patiently, and not hurling her self out of the ramp like she had previously.
If you live in the Norht West, are looking for some confiedence and help with any horse, I would reccomened a call to Patrick, he's Kelly Marks accredited and even those of you who are sceptical ( like me) its true that sometimes seeing is believing.
I'll keep you updated on our progress
I'm new to all of this, but have found the ability to see so many peoples opinions in one place a great benefit. I thought id share woith you the beginning of my journey with the latest addition to the family.
I recently bought an 18 month Old WB x TB filly, who I hope will become another great friend and companion like my 17year old Arab Mare. I was looking for something that I could bring on from the begging, finally having enough time and money to extend the equine family.
I saw Zara's advert and was immediately struck at what a beautiful ( I'm biased I know
) girly she was. I went to view her and knew she was the one. When I viewed her the first time, the vendor was keen to tell me that she had done some NH with her when she had first bought her as a wild yearling. She said it was really beneficial and Zara had responded well.On the day we went to collect her, Zara was in a Monty Roberts Dually Head collar - not a piece of equipment I was familair with, but with it having the option of clipping to the area a standard head collar would be used from I thought nothing more.
As expected, and it being only her second time in front of a tailer, Zara was unsure, that was fine I told the vendor we had plenty of time and i would prefer it if she took 3 hours and went in quietly and not bullied than dragged in ( as a helpful farm hand had offered to do!
)It soon became clear that patience wasnt everyones virtue and whilst i had nipped to the front of the car, the leadrope had been attached to one of the training rings on the side of the head collar. I came back to the side of the trailer to see the vendor leaning a heck of a lot of weight back on the leadrope, whilst telling my friend that my baby would yield to the pressure.
Well to make this now very long threada bit shorter, lets say that baby decided having her nose squashed to bits was no fun and lets pull back, at which point the girl pulling let go! Zara was up on her backegs and turning in the air to miss the side of the trailer, and came down on top of me. This I do not think has anything to do with her manners, more what had gone on. 9 for those wondering, I had thought that baby would be more familiar with her old owner and perhaps more trusting to go into the trailer than with myself who was at that moment a complete stranger to her- hind sight is a wonderful thing.
I managed to get into the farmhouse to ice my face which was beautifully grazed, and my friend took over form the vendor who quickly decided they needed to get to work..In less than half an hour my friend had quietly coaxed Zara in and we were thankfully away.
Then came the next three rears, all which occured when any firm no, and pull on an ordinary head collar occured. (i definately not using the Dually again at this point).
Zara had a lack of personal space. So not wanting to place my friends at the yard at risk when bringing her in or out of the field, I went in search of a NH.
My theory was go back to what I believed had casued her fear and lack of confidence in the equipemnt that had been mis used on her.
I came accross Patrick Gracey ( finally to the title of the thread, congratulations if you've stuck it out to here) and yesterday we paid him a visit.
His place is relatively small, but well equiped, clean and presentable. His Irish charm instantly put me at ease, and I can honestly say, that 2 hours with that man, was the most beneficial thing I think i could havedone in my circumstances.
My other half drove us to him ( he's not horsey and sceptical usually) but he too was amazed at what can be done.
I feel empowered and confident that I can help my youngster who clicked wonderfully with the groundwork, and plenty of things for me to take home and practice, and the confidence he gave her to load when we were ready for going home.
She had loaded quite well in the morning with the temptation of some feed, but after a slight paddy with Patrick (some 'let me show you my spanish walk mr.' too) my girl was loading the end of a 30ftline into the box, standing quietly and patiently, and not hurling her self out of the ramp like she had previously.
If you live in the Norht West, are looking for some confiedence and help with any horse, I would reccomened a call to Patrick, he's Kelly Marks accredited and even those of you who are sceptical ( like me) its true that sometimes seeing is believing.
I'll keep you updated on our progress
but im so glad it worked out for you