LaurenM
Well-Known Member
So chuffed - after almost 5 months I can at last walk up to him to catch him whereas it used to take 2 hours each night.
He's also started grooming me occasionally when I face away from him..now to start on the riding aspects! Where to begin?
He seems to be unsettled when hacked alone but I get the impression he's testing me as a pose to genuinely being nervous i.e. the majority of the journey away from the yard he's looking for things to jump over but on the way back he's relaxed and doesn't seem to look for anything to spook at. He also tries spinning around when hacked away from the yard but I just push him on.
Also when hacked with a large group of horses he'll try and tank off when in unknown area. I thought it was because he wanted to be at the front and was scared of being left so I put him at the front. He then proceeded to tank off despite being the lead. He avoids the bit and playing with it alot. He also tries getting more control by lowering his head to release the reins (relatively loose rein anyway).
As soon as he knew where he was he went back to donkey mode..any ideas/ advise / personal experiences to share?
He's also started grooming me occasionally when I face away from him..now to start on the riding aspects! Where to begin?
He seems to be unsettled when hacked alone but I get the impression he's testing me as a pose to genuinely being nervous i.e. the majority of the journey away from the yard he's looking for things to jump over but on the way back he's relaxed and doesn't seem to look for anything to spook at. He also tries spinning around when hacked away from the yard but I just push him on.
Also when hacked with a large group of horses he'll try and tank off when in unknown area. I thought it was because he wanted to be at the front and was scared of being left so I put him at the front. He then proceeded to tank off despite being the lead. He avoids the bit and playing with it alot. He also tries getting more control by lowering his head to release the reins (relatively loose rein anyway).
As soon as he knew where he was he went back to donkey mode..any ideas/ advise / personal experiences to share?