_jetset_
Well-Known Member
I have to admit I felt a bit nervous about turning them out this morning after her falling yesterday, and I didn't think my foot would take another stamping on (it's a lovely colour of purple today and very sore to walk on). I knew that by me feeling worried, she would feel even worse, so I took a deep breath, and started to sing as apparently that relaxes all of your muscles.
I closed the top doors of the horses directly on the path we were taking, but left the others open so she could get the idea that they were not going to take him away from her. I put on her Richard Maxwell headcollar attached to a 12ft line and Andy (husband) put a towel around Troy's neck and his hand around his bottom.
Again, Troy was as good as gold and went striding out of the stable
As soon as I felt Hannah stress, I gave her a firm tug on the headcollar to remind her where I was. As soon as I did this I felt her give to me, even though she was still upset, so I stood to the side (still in the stable) and let her walk out next to Troy and Andy. She did rush out a little, but no where near as panicky as she was yesterday morning. And because I had a longer line, I could just let her go rather than trying to keep hold of her.
When we got out of the stable, yesterday she went into super panic mode when they were neighing, so this morning I was surprised to find she stood a little more calmly with him while Andy and I sorted ourselves out. She was still super sensitive, but then just walked by the side of him rather than trying to get him to run away by pushing and rushing him.
So all in all it was a great improvement to yesterday... and I am planning on doing exactly the same when I bring them in so hopefully it will prevent another accident like yesterday.
Once they were in the field I made Hannah stand while I shut the gate (she knows she should do this) and then when I let her go realised I had left her leather headcollar on. Everytime I got near her she trotted off because she thought I was bringing them in on such a nice day, but eventually she gave in and let me take it off. Troy seemed to quite like this game, so when I had walked away he started running away from Hannah as if to say, "Come on, your turn to chase me now!" Poot Hannah looked thoroughly cross at him, but I have left her stood over a very tired Troy!
I closed the top doors of the horses directly on the path we were taking, but left the others open so she could get the idea that they were not going to take him away from her. I put on her Richard Maxwell headcollar attached to a 12ft line and Andy (husband) put a towel around Troy's neck and his hand around his bottom.
Again, Troy was as good as gold and went striding out of the stable
When we got out of the stable, yesterday she went into super panic mode when they were neighing, so this morning I was surprised to find she stood a little more calmly with him while Andy and I sorted ourselves out. She was still super sensitive, but then just walked by the side of him rather than trying to get him to run away by pushing and rushing him.
So all in all it was a great improvement to yesterday... and I am planning on doing exactly the same when I bring them in so hopefully it will prevent another accident like yesterday.
Once they were in the field I made Hannah stand while I shut the gate (she knows she should do this) and then when I let her go realised I had left her leather headcollar on. Everytime I got near her she trotted off because she thought I was bringing them in on such a nice day, but eventually she gave in and let me take it off. Troy seemed to quite like this game, so when I had walked away he started running away from Hannah as if to say, "Come on, your turn to chase me now!" Poot Hannah looked thoroughly cross at him, but I have left her stood over a very tired Troy!
