What can I do with my new share boy?

PollyP

PollyP

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I'm in the second week of sharing a 15.1hh shire x cob and really enjoying it! He's 22 so not a spring chicken but still ticking over nicely!

His saddle is away at the minute being fixed so no riding for me!

I was just wondering what you all do to bond/have some fun with your horses?

He is starting to recognise me now and whickering to me in the field when he sees me but I would like to work more on the bond.

I have worked on getting him to move back using a voice command which has worked nicely in his stable! (he likes to hang over the door to see what's going on, meaning no one can get in or out!)

Any suggestions? :) x
 
Hello fellow sharer :)

I’m in a similar position as I’m getting a bit too pregnant to ride my share horse now so also need ideas of more things I can do from the ground.

Apart from grooming and general fussing I’m determined to learn how to plait tails! Not sure if you really fancy doing that!
Can you lunge or long rein while your saddle s away? That’s a good way of bonding.

I’m also going to have a general sort out and tidy up of rugs tack grooming kits etc…

Anyway have fun with your new share
 
In hand exercises - backing up, moving forward, stepping round, polework, weaving round obstacles ......

Clicker train him - lots of fun things to do there - cob and I had tremendous fun last night with a target, a clicker and the indoor school :)

Game of football!

Carrot stretches

Lunge or long rein

Is there anything he's not very good at or a bit awkward about that you could work on improving?
 
Thanks for the suggestions all!

I would like to lunge him but don't have a cavesson, only a headcollar and am a little wary about lunging him off that!

He's very good in most ways! Hes a little lazy as I'm just bringing him back into work! The only thing he is not great at is having his bridle put on. As he has been hit about the head before so is understandably worried about it. I might do some work on that using treats before/during/after?

I lOVE the idea of clicker training. Would I be able to teach him anything in the stable? As we have no indoor school and the weather is miserable sadly!

X
 
Ali2 said:
In hand exercises - backing up, moving forward, stepping round, polework, weaving round obstacles ......

Clicker train him - lots of fun things to do there - cob and I had tremendous fun last night with a target, a clicker and the indoor school :)

Game of football!

Carrot stretches

Lunge or long rein

Is there anything he's not very good at or a bit awkward about that you could work on improving?
Click to expand...

My boys getting too bendy with the carrot stretches. He almost bit me on th bum when I did his girth up the other day. It's a good job I love him... :rolleyes:
 
Gentlegiant88 said:
My boys getting too bendy with the carrot stretches. He almost bit me on th bum when I did his girth up the other day. It's a good job I love him... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

ROFL :D

PollyP said:
Thanks for the suggestions all!

I would like to lunge him but don't have a cavesson, only a headcollar and am a little wary about lunging him off that!

I lOVE the idea of clicker training. Would I be able to teach him anything in the stable? As we have no indoor school and the weather is miserable sadly!

X
Click to expand...

Has he got a bridle? Lunge him off that :)

You can do loads with clicker in the stable, only limited by your imagination :) The initial target training is easily done in the stable. My big boy and I play a little, easy, game where I 'hide' the target in his stable he has to find it and touch it to get his click and reward. The book written by the lady who runs this site (http://www.theclickercenter.com/) is excellent to get you started. I've also got a short, getting going guide I can PM you if you'd like :)
 
Clicker training is good. However I would get the owners permission first and see if she would be ok with that. I would be livid if my sharer started clicker training my mare without me knowing.
 
Thanks Ali! That game sounds like fun! I would love for you to PM me with the getting started guide! Thankyou very much!

LaurenBay I will definitely check with the owner before doing anything like clicker training with him!!
 
Yep Ali2, he was only doing carrot stretches as advised by physio as when I got him he had tension in his back (which is now resolved and he's built all the muscle back up :D) but I think I may lay off them for a while before he turns into a snake... I thought they were supposed to stiffen up in their old age!

On the other hand I turned round to shout at him but didn't have to. As soon as I looked at him he put his head down and looked rather sheepish.
 
Thank you SO much Ali2, that's a fab guide to get me started! really helpful and I will follow the idea of using a bottle to be the target! I hadn't thought of that!

My phone won't let me reply to PM's but thankyou again, much appreciated! Xx
 
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