Update on my new horse - Rubin!

GinaGem

GinaGem

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Hi all,

Just thought i'd give you an update on my progress. He's doing fab. Had him a month now and have got as far as lunging in tack, walking inhand around our land and in the school, done some handling work, boomproofing and leaning on him in preparation for getting on. He's been a superstar, very laid back and takes everything in his stride. He picks up his feet nicely, is happy to have a rug slung on and let me wash his feet and tail on the weekend. He loves a groom and has fitted in really well with our other two horses.

Walked round the field yesterday inhand and the worst thing he did was to put him head up and stand still when he heard some people walking up the road behind the bushes. Also walked up the driveway and apart from a little snorting he was very nosey about everything including trying to eat my car and the flowers!!!

We got a saddle fitted so i can hopefully get on soon so this week i'm going to be doing more leaning over him (JoBo is doing the leg-ups - ha ha!!!) and continuing the lunging to try and get him used to all my voice commands and working into my contact.

Was going to get some pics of my lesson today but it's been tipping it down so here's one from two weeks ago:

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xxx
 
Hi,
We have something in common - I am currently training a 4 year old and guess what his name is Reuben! spelt differently but same name I think? This is my first training project from start to finish so I will be reading your posts to get lots of advice! Keep in touch and let us know how things are going! I have just ordered a saddle for mine too so won't be long till it gets serious! Good luck!
 
All sorts of things really! we start off with small things and build up their confidence and reward them with the voice, pats, strokes or treats. With Rubin we've done things like:
* Jumping up and down next to him
* Waving arms about
* Clapping
* Whistling
* Shouting
* Throwing the lunge line in the air
* Stoking him all over with a lunge whip
* Rustling plastic bags
* Throwing rugs on
* Flapping numnahs on and off his back
* Flipping the girth strap over the saddle
* Flapping the saddle flaps
* Hopping from one foot to another
* Letting them walk over their feed buckets when leaving the stable (rubber ones!)
* Walking over and round poles
* Getting up and down on a step while standing next to him
* Walking up to a poly block and stepping on and off of it while leading him past

The list goes on really! Just work on anything that may be potentially scary. Obviously we don't just go up and start shouting but we start of with small slow movements and build it up until you can make yourself look a prat and the horse will just think that's normal!!! Just means if you come across a loud noise or somthing flapping at a show or out hacking it should be less scary. Certainly worked well with JoBo's boy who couldn't even be patted when she first got him!


Got some examples of Jo doing it with Bodey and Rubin:

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Oh cool, his stable name was actually rubino but i prefered rubin for a boy! It's lovey doing everything yourself isn't it? Every step is an achievement. I've worked with young cobs before but this is my first warmblood! He's got a good temperment though so hopefuly things will continue to go well, he's a gentle giant!
 
O right cool thanks for the ideas, might have to give some of em a go with my chap, although hes 10 so you think it would work?? Might struggle to get him to ignore a blade of grass thats facing the wrong way
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Lol it may work - worth a go! Have't done it with an older horse as my other girl is 15 and is pretty good with most things. One thing i found out she didn't like last year was the red and white plastic tape. We were riding through the woods and she spotted it flapping in the wind in the next field (it makes a funny buzzing noise), she spun round and shot past the horse behind me and i got pulled off! She legged it all the way home!! Managed to de-senstise her to it afterwards though so i guess it can work at any age.
 
Glad to hear it could work then. With some stuff hes absolutely fine but seems to be worse with silly things - hohum - Ill give it a go anyway! Thanks for the info!
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QR - oooohhhh he's a nice looking chap. I didn't realise you'd got a new horsie, thought you were still looking. He's lovely, good luck with everything and keep us up to date with loads of photos!!!
 
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