What did you learn about horses today?

[Brightbay]

That it does not take long of the battery being dead for some horses to learn that electric tape is simply an annoyance, that can be walked through and then shook disdainfully off the hind legs

One in particular (no coincidence he's the one in the heaviest rug) has just decided that electric fences don't apply to him, and has been walking through them, snapping posts and trailing tape all over the field. I couldn't work out what was going on, arriving every morning to find carnage. This morning, he just casually walked through a fence while I was watching, and while I ran over in a panic to extract his legs from it, he just shook it off and stepped over it.

Battery is charging to get an extra belt, and I am going to run wire all along the top for an extra oomph, plus stick a bit of tape on his rug.

Also learned that it is possible to mount up bareback by standing on top of a flat bed trailer in the field and shouting "Hi Ho Silver" at my horse, who then walks over to let me on

 

[Auslander]

That sometimes, horses have preferences, and indulging them can make a big difference to them. My horse has been on wood pellets for several months, and I've been suspicious from the fluffiness of his bed that he hasn't been lying down (He's getting on a bit, and has some physical problems, so it's important to me that he gets a good rest). I got back from hols to find out that I had no pellets left, so stuck a bale of shavings in yesterday. Came down this morning, and he was covered in shavings from head to foot, had a big smile on his face, and his bed had a large flat patch which he had clearly been crashed out in all night!

 

[PolarSkye]

That a previously clean grey horse can get poo stains ON HIS RUMP through two rugs - a fleece and a poly . . . in a clean straw bed. How is that even possible?

He's competing at the weekend so I've started washing him now in the hope that he'll actually be clean'ish by early Saturday morning . . . he hadn't had a wash since he went to the Piggy French clinic in October and I hadn't washed his tail in that long either . . . so he's a tad, erm, yellow . . . hence the multiple washes.

P

 

[AdorableAlice]

That, my 29 year old 11 hand companion pony for the big horse, can still deliver a large bruise when she bites my knee as I take her rug off. She always aims for the knee's bless her.

 

[PolarSkye]

That sometimes, horses have preferences, and indulging them can make a big difference to them. My horse has been on wood pellets for several months, and I've been suspicious from the fluffiness of his bed that he hasn't been lying down (He's getting on a bit, and has some physical problems, so it's important to me that he gets a good rest). I got back from hols to find out that I had no pellets left, so stuck a bale of shavings in yesterday. Came down this morning, and he was covered in shavings from head to foot, had a big smile on his face, and his bed had a large flat patch which he had clearly been crashed out in all night!

This put a smile on my face . . . needs a like button.

P

 

[StoptheCavalry]

That it does not take long of the battery being dead for some horses to learn that electric tape is simply an annoyance, that can be walked through and then shook disdainfully off the hind legs

One in particular (no coincidence he's the one in the heaviest rug) has just decided that electric fences don't apply to him, and has been walking through them, snapping posts and trailing tape all over the field. I couldn't work out what was going on, arriving every morning to find carnage. This morning, he just casually walked through a fence while I was watching, and while I ran over in a panic to extract his legs from it, he just shook it off and stepped over it.

Battery is charging to get an extra belt, and I am going to run wire all along the top for an extra oomph, plus stick a bit of tape on his rug.

Also learned that it is possible to mount up bareback by standing on top of a flat bed trailer in the field and shouting "Hi Ho Silver" at my horse, who then walks over to let me on

This is hilarious and exactly what my horse does. We've been at our new yard about 2 months and since then they have been having problems with horses getting through the electric fencing (really don't know who could possibly be causing the problem ) He really just thinks he should be allowed in the big summer field and that a silly bit of tape and plastic isn't going to stop him. He has also taken to dragging me from the gate to the winter field to the gate of the summer field reinforcing his wish to go in that field.

 

[Brightbay]

That sometimes, horses have preferences, and indulging them can make a big difference to them. My horse has been on wood pellets for several months, and I've been suspicious from the fluffiness of his bed that he hasn't been lying down (He's getting on a bit, and has some physical problems, so it's important to me that he gets a good rest). I got back from hols to find out that I had no pellets left, so stuck a bale of shavings in yesterday. Came down this morning, and he was covered in shavings from head to foot, had a big smile on his face, and his bed had a large flat patch which he had clearly been crashed out in all night!

Aw, happy sleepy horse I agree, they do definitely have preferences (mine is quite communicative about which rugs he will accept, and when).

Your post actually makes me think - I wonder if a lot of horses get less sleep than they would like, due to not liking the bedding?

 

[Batgirl]

That my horse looks like a ghost with glasses on after a full clip Love chestnuts!

 

[Clava]

I learnt today that it is very pleasant to look out the window and for them to be all in their proper fields (as often some ponies decide that leccy fence doesn't apply to them).

 

[puss]

I learnt today dosent matter how much you think you know your old trusty horse and normal good manners when you move yards everything goes out the window and when you try and put them in the field walking is not an option spinning rearing bucking and acting like a two year old is

 

[Auslander]

Your post actually makes me think - I wonder if a lot of horses get less sleep than they would like, due to not liking the bedding?

It's certainly made me think. I've persevered with the pellets, although not awfully keen on them, but this morning has convinced me that they are wrong for the horse, as well as for me. Have ordered some Equibright to see whether it works for both of us!!

 

[sharky]

I learned that with a proper dressage teacher he works fabulously and has the most amazing movements.

Also learned that after moving yards at the weekend he is alergic to straw bedding after years of being on shavings

 

[Mahoganybay]

I have learnt today that i need to be assertive with my daughters gelding, once he knows i am in charge he is like putty in my hands.

Why, oh why this has taken me so long to figure out i don't know ;-)

 

[rachi20x]

Have learned that my ranga has stiff muscles from once being a driving pony, and that my star of a physio can sort it with no problems. He worked wonders today, the ranga visibly relaxed(willy out, huge sighs, yawns etc) once the physio gently worked his magic.

 

[highlandponygirl]

That horses can tell the difference between sugar free mints and sugar loaded ones

Ungratefull sods, i'll eat them myself then!

 

[Enfys]

I wish there was a like button for all of these

RaRa - heavy duty stuff How much longer have you got?

Mike - so your horse recognises the noise of the vehicle rather than the vehicle itself?

Polar Skye - I feel your pain, I had a white horse that always got the FRONT of his face plastered in muck overnight, how do they do that - headstands?

 

[Kallibear]

That Roo is a superstar to pony out whilst riding Pink.

Also learnt to remember he's is NOT Piper and needs a little more caution, as my now broken foot ascertains. When a clearly Roo-Eating builder sneaks up behind whilst Im picking his feet out, he will leap forwards and land on my foot.

The type of horse I wanted when I bought Piper, having ridden the (forwards and fizzy) old girl this morning. And realised and accepted that Piper is just never going to be the pocket rocket I want

That despite Piper preferring life in the slow lane, he is an utterly amazing pony: he is currently on part loan to a severely physically disabled guy and is just such a superstar, inc putting up with the totally non-horsey Personal Assistants bumbling around him

 

[Spring Feather]

I learned that one of mine can stand in exactly the same spot in the field, stock still, for 3 and a half hours. Previous record was 3 hours.

 

[splashjack]

i learnt that if you give my cheeky youngster an inch he will take a flippin mile!!! little devil!

 

[Renvers]

My 100% saintly and bombproof youngster does not like men in baseball caps!

 

[9tails]

I learnt that if I buy a bag of Horsehage as a "treat", horse won't eat it. But take horse to the haybarn and she'll happily hoover up the manky hay on the floor.

 

[056775]

You dont need a headcollar to get the houdini pony back into its field a treat and a handful of forelock is just as good

That made me chuckle - ole bit of forelock tugging !!!

 

[056775]

That it does not take long of the battery being dead for some horses to learn that electric tape is simply an annoyance, that can be walked through and then shook disdainfully off the hind legs

One in particular (no coincidence he's the one in the heaviest rug) has just decided that electric fences don't apply to him, and has been walking through them, snapping posts and trailing tape all over the field. I couldn't work out what was going on, arriving every morning to find carnage. This morning, he just casually walked through a fence while I was watching, and while I ran over in a panic to extract his legs from it, he just shook it off and stepped over it.

I watched the same thing happen on the weekend with my two... one ploughed straight through it leaving rods scattered on floor and the other one went under it... Height of pony 14hh.. worked out it wasnt on and "limboed" under it while the tape ran along his back until he was though.

So both horses ended up in the same paddock which was a 1/3 of the size of their own separate ones and then stood around looking at the grass in their original paddocks and having no idea how to get back!!! Dopey animals!

 

[Nicnac]

That my TB can actually walk at an 'angle' when coming in from the field so as not to get his feet wet in the mud by keeping his hooves under the fence.

When toggles on a Musto jacket (the ones down the bottom to fit the jacket snug to your bum) are pulled very tightly and then pinged against your bum by an Irish Bog Pony whilst having his feet mucked out, hurt like ****!

 

[Dumbo]

That the smallest thing can make all the difference. Eg threw away the bit and now my horse goes beautifully. Also, a lady at my yard who's broken the world record jumping sidesaddle (7ft), a fab rider, broke her neck today because her horse was on the wrong striding towards the jump.

 

[hannah90]

that even the mildest mannered , slightly overweight cob, who spooks at nothing, can easily lose his head when confronted with a pack of hounds and a couple of horses ! Think he enjoyed his first day hunting !

 

[Wundahorse]

That out two big boys who i separated today due to rug ripping sagas,continued to pull at each others rugs very lovingly on the yard when tied up together.

 

[Janah]

I learnt that my boy on box rest due to annular ligament strain can push OH aside and escape into large garden , gate of yard left open, and do airs above the ground and other movements unknown to man, or beast, drink out of fish pond, make emergency stops of 12 ', step on hen, hopefully she will be alright, rip rug on apple tree and rob half a pack of polo's in OH efforts to recapture him!

I arrived home to find boy in stable eating tea and covered in sweat and mud, having rolled umpteen times.

No swelling of fetlocks and looking very pleased with himself.

The naughty boy. Never trust OH to deal with pony!!!

 

[Polos Mum]

Today I learned that it's not just me who thinks it feels like spring here at the moment, Polo's hair is coming out in handfuls! Sadly he hasn't seen the weather forecast for the weekend!!!

 

[OpalFruits]

that getting a new horse is stressful