Shetland Yearling - Manner / Groundwork

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gwniver

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Last year in August I took on a feral Shetland colt as a companion . But I promised myself that I had to give the best start in life , there are so many half wild shetlands just living in fields so I wanted him to have as many skills as possible to have more possibilities , if the worst should happen .
He turned 1 in may and has learnt these skills so far
He will -
Copy your paces ( walk , trot , canter ) running next to you
back up if you 1) walk backwards beside you 2) walk backwards behind him 3) ask him backwards while standing in front if him
Yield side ways if you walk sideways beside him ( half pass )
Hold up all four feet - He will let me trim them and we are working with our trimmer every time she comes down .
Stand for a hose pipe
Pick up his foot if you pick up yours ( mimicry )
Can be led at liberty , with a halter , with a neck tie/cordeo
He will stand for the vet and they actually have a good relationship

Is there any other skills you would like your companion/horse to have ? What would your perfect Shetland companion be ?

many thanks gwn

P.S I now that you should leave foals to be foals but I only work with him at liberty ( unless we are halter training ) so he can leave at any point
 
Really ? does no one have any thoughts : )
( Bump )

Also I forgot to add that he will stand for things going over his head ( he has a snuggy hood rug )
and that he is good around small children
 
I was thinking about this last night and I think the main thing that I want is a horse or pony that is good at standing! It's the most important thing for me as I am always on my own.I live on a farm so yesterday my yearling went for a walk past all the hay making equipment which was parked in the yard,I was really pleased with him as he thought it was totally boring and not worth looking at.
 
Thanks and yes he does stand while tied up , the kids spend ages grooming him like that and he enjoys every minute of it : )
cheers
 
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