The ickle ex-racehorse learning some respect through means of join-up (hoony TB pics)

Girlracer

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I'm not really into natural horsemanship to be honest, but i have always liked Monty Roberts and his join-up method. I've been to a few demos etc and i do like to incorporate it into the things i do with my boys.

I took a few photos during out latest session, and thought i'd share the photos as there quite interesting. He has done a couple of sessions with me since i got him, and the first one i did with him was let's say... interesting! He was completely dominent, if i asked him to change direction he would charge at me, was completely un-interested in me and would generally just hoon around! Today he started off hooning round, the difference being he would change direction when i asked, and always had an ear to me, by the end of the session (a few minutes) he had lowered his head, was licking and chewing, slowed the pace and made the circle smalller. He was 100% interested in me and when we stopped he wouldn't leave my side and seemed very relaxed so i think we made some progress today.

Starting off, a little wild looking!

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He can't pretend he can't trot!

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Starting to relax a little, and coming closer, less interested in everything else! This is normally as far as i'd get in a session.

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And finally the breakthrough, nice relaxed submissive pone!

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Looking really stressed about the whole thing...

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And some pretty pony shots!

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Hope you like them, even if it's just cus he's pretty and not cus it's interesting :p
 
It looks like your are doing it in a sandschool? How do you find it works?

Actually fine, it's not actually very big at all... of course it would be easier in a round-pen and perhaps he would of made this progress faster in that environment but we cope all right. :)

Thanks for you replies, i do love join-up i find it makes such a big difference in them.
 
used to love doing this with my pony, we didn't have a round pen either, she got so good we could lunge without a rope or a whip and she would follow me everywhere have also tried with a small shetland (he thought it was great to chase me everywhere although he did take this a little to far and a huge ex show cob that had never done anything like it before in her life which was so sweet as she responded so fast and no on else thought she would think she just was desperate for a friend :D
 
Your school fence by the brush bits looks like a fun jump....lol. Shame there's no field on the other side haha!

Gorgious horse though , glad you had fun :D
 
You really need to be very careful doing this sort of thing with your horse. I started off with a little bit of join up and now it has taken over completely. From join up it was a short step to bit and bridleless, now barefoot. I don't know how it happened, I just got addicted to giving my horse the best life I could and she took advantage, I should have ignored her rushing across the field just to be with me. I should never have been taken in by her willingness and obvious enjoyment in everything we do.

Letting horses join up with you can seriously affect your life. (for the better).
 
he is a lovely lad. I like him a lot. He reminds me of one of our race horses who is now retired. How is he bred? I assume he was a sprinter?
 
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