Teaching a horse manners

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annbal

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I have recently purchased a 5yr old gypsy cob who has absolutely no manners.

Can anyone recommend a good book that can run me through some techniques and excercises to get him to behave better?

Had a look online but all books seem to be american

thanks
 
Perfect manners by kelly marks.

But also just do regular groundwork sessions with him. Even just 5 minutes morning and night. 'move over' back up' 'walk on' 'stand' 'trot when I do' etc etc. but also remembering to stay on the ball at all times and don't ever let him overstep the mark without reprimand...
 
ditto Perfect Manners. A stronger headcollar like a Dually can help you have more control if very bad. Consistent signals and correcting everytime really helps too.
 
Total consistency is the key... Insist on what you want and nothing less- even if it takes all day... Time is a necessity as is rewarding the good...
 
First teach yourself manners, then the horse will respect you.

I watched someone walk up to my horse and try to put the halter on - he walked away. The faster they walked the faster he moved away. They didn't greet and say hello and ask him first if they could put the halter on. I would have walked away from them too.

Half the problem is in the way we ask, learn to ask nicely first. Look at it from the horse's point of view.
 
Kelly Marks-also Richard Maxwell- used to be called From Birth To Backing. Can't remember what the reprint is called but it's really practical, sensible advice. Has worked wonders with my sharp, clever 3 yr old! I agree, consistency absolutely crucial; if my girl is given an inch, she will take the ****!!
 
Agree with Kelly Marks - Perfect Manners.
Really good book and I like how she writes, I like the fact she has alternatives to her methods or explains why something may not be working - SO helpful compared to other books where they just write one thing, then you're stumped if it doesn't work.
 
annbal said:
I have recently purchased a 5yr old gypsy cob who has absolutely no manners.

Can anyone recommend a good book that can run me through some techniques and excercises to get him to behave better?

Had a look online but all books seem to be american

thanks
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I have no wish to offend, but what is wrong with the books being American?
 
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Another vote for Perfect Manners.

Nothing wrong with American horse books per se, but there are certain differences in terminology and a cultural distance - even when they are talking about "English" rather than Western riding - which people here may find a tiny bit alien. (I do, but it doesn't bother me.) Some people may feel more at home with a familiar British voice.

ETA: I'd like to suggest another book too, which I think is really good. It's the BHS Book of the Natural Horse by Sarah Widdicombe. One of the cover points is "Enjoy a happy, well-mannered equine partner".

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Natural-Horse-Sarah-Widdicombe/dp/0715324969
 
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CBFan said:
But also just do regular groundwork sessions with him. Even just 5 minutes morning and night. 'move over' back up' 'walk on' 'stand' 'trot when I do' etc etc. but also remembering to stay on the ball at all times and don't ever let him overstep the mark without reprimand...
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Excellent advice - and I would add that being on the ball and really consistent you will find that your reprimands soon become quiet, almost invisible corrections.
 
kelly marks perfect manners is great. But you can do alot yourself, work on him day in day out! but be gentle, i see far too often people being soft then getting annoyed. which results in rougness and impatience.
The key is patience and to treat other as you wish to be treated ( same goes for horses )
Also, do you know anything about his past? Was he neglected? or roughly handled?
Alot of horses are either roughly handled and possibly abused, or are not shown manners kindly but firmly by previous owners. Alot of beginners byuy cobs thinking they are amazingly behaved and big lazy hairy horses. But they are the exact opposite, in the wrong hands cobs can be quite something else lol!
Good luck, im sure youll be great !
 
fburton said:
Nothing wrong with American horse books per se, but there are certain differences in terminology and a cultural distance - even when they are talking about "English" rather than Western riding - which people here may find a tiny bit alien. (I do, but it doesn't bother me.) Some people may feel more at home with a familiar British voice.
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:D I'll give you that :D To be fair, I think North Americans expect different results from their horses too, even the way horses are lead is different...head at the handlers shoulder, not infront. I have had to adapt because if I trained my horses, or taught English riding, the BHS way then I'd end up with very confused horses and humans.

Terminology, yep, again, I can see your point. I'm sure people get confused when I forget to anglicize and write about halters (anything that goes on a head is a halter whether it is rope, webbing or leather) and blankets (all rugs are blankets), colts are just young horses regardless of their gender and a stud is an ungelded male of any age - not a place where stallions are used :(
 
I have 'From birth to backing' by Richard Maxwell, I bought it when I bought my unhandled 2 year old. It has loads of groundwork exercises and was really useful. I know your cob is 5, but there's lots in there for teaching respecting personal space and has problem solving section for restarting older horses. x
 
I am going to read that book!. My 5 year old is forever pushing his luck. He does have consistency but honestly, feel I have cracked one trait and then another comes up. He did it with every horse he has been turned out with and is like that wretched child who has to keep prodding different parts to get a reaction. He is now turned out on his own (albeit next to others) to give the other horses some peace! He is a big lad so think he has been able to do this previously.
 
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