Teaching ground/in-hand manners - advice?

[MissSBird]

Hi guys

I have a baby at the moment, who's been to a couple of local shows this season. He's normally been ok to handle at home, if a little bit pushy and bolshy at times.

I took him to the last show fully aware he'd be excited by the atmosphere, as he has been before. I wasn't expecting it to be quite so bad. He was jumping about a lot on the end of the leadrope (attached by a coupling to the bit), rearing, bucking etc. Particularly when it came to trotting out.

I got away from the rings to the thankfully sizable warm up, trying to get him to settle down. Just after I turned to my instructor who was there with her own horse with a desperate plea for help he did something, I don't know what, and got me in the thigh with a hoof.

My instructor had just sent a friend over who grabbed him from me as I broke down crying, as that seriously hurt. No pernament damage, however, just a pretty pretty bruise.

Baby, however, settled down with this other person pretty much immediatly. Now 6ft tall guy has a lot more strength than 5.2ft me, but Baby barely put a foot wrong with this man. He had much more respect for him which has made me question that perhaps what I was putting down to babyish excitment was more/also down to him having no respect for my authority on the ground.

So, I think some ground work is necessary to reinstate that he may be bigger and stronger than me, but he does what I say. My last horse was a biddable sweetheart though, so I'm a bit stuck for ideas on what to do.

So, any suggestions? All welcomed as I want to stop this now, before someone does end up seriously hurt.

 

[kirstyl]

Poor you!

How old is your horse? Interesting to know in relation to what he could or perhaps should be doing. Hope you got a hot bath after!

 

[Groom42]

I quoted this only the other day, it came from someone I would refer to as a "proper" horseman.
" You don't need to be MORE rude than them, but be AS rude as they are."
In other words, if he barges you, barge straight back.
I know it's easy to say, and sometimes harder to do. We have a very "quick" pony, who cannot ever be allowed to think he has even the slightest advantage. I have never had to be so quick to discipline, and stamp down on even "mild" bolshieness, but with him, it is vital. He still trys it on with me, but rarely now, and if he does I have to be immediate, and strong, to set him straight. His "mum", however, can chastise him with a growl and a glare, but then she bit him back six years ago, and he hasn't thought about biting her since!
I hope you are feeling happier, maybe he was just overwhelmed by it all, and picked up on your nerves/excitement.
The other guy had no "personal" involvement, so was maybe a bit calmer?
I'm sure things will improve, good luck!

 

[HappyHorses:)]

Your poor leg!

Bit hard to comment on you without being there to be honest.

Is he a colt?

Mine was very well behaved at his first show mainly because his eyes were on stalks tho I think When in the ring however the crowd were rustling plastic and wooping when we were trotting around (welsh show) and my poor boy started leaping and had a rear etc. All I did with him then, and have done since, is let him have his paddy and to a point ignore it and make a big fuss when he settles. If I think he is doing anything too rude like barge he will get one sharp smack on his chest to back him off.

My fella doesn't like being told off so this usally stops him in his tracks.

One thing I will say about youngsters is that they are taking their confidence from you so if there is any hint of weakness from you, show nerves or getting upset when they are mucking about, they will play on it ten fold.

Do you think that maybe you just got a little bit overwhelmed when they were playing up this time? easy done

Don't doubt yourself tho and don't take any cheek! If you think you need to then ask for someone who you know to be very good with youngsters to take them to the next few shows.

 

[intouch]

First of all I suggest you get yourself a rope halter as used in so-called Natural Horsemanship, and learn how to use it, it will help gain you respect without the damage a bit might do.
http://www.site.missywryn.com/uploads/Bit_to_Bitless_8-2010.pdf
This is an article on preparing for bitless riding, but it gives a good starting point for training youngsters. There are lots of trainers out there with videos you can learn from, but if you can get to some clinics it's even better.
http://www.silversand.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=57
This guy is the best I have come across, he's in UK now so if any of the clinics are near you, try to get along to them, take your horse if you can, he'll teach you how to manage him.