Re: RC: RE: water crossing

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

O.K...Guess I will jump in here on this.  This is another one of those
situations where it's best to have "done your homework".  Thing is with
horses, you first gotta get them into water. Once you do that, you can't
get 'em out! Had a mare once that laid down in a creek...in the middle
of 4 other riders....with me still aboard.  I'm smacking the crap out of
her and she's just laying there enjoying the cool.  Only horse I ever
had that the farrier told me I had to wash her so he could find her
feet! Just a real water/mud puppy.

Anyway, I digress..  Back to the subject.  First thing you do is your
homework before you hit the trail.  Find you one of those big blue
tarps...the kind they sell at Home Depot.  You then use the "go forward"
cue (tap on the butt with a dressage whip) just like trailer loading to
get them to walk onto the tarp...however long it takes.

Once they are comfortable with this, RIDE them onto the tarp until it's
a no brainer.  Then look for a small creek with good entry. (The
American River is not a good choice) Hmmm...someone once told me about a
lady who was leading the Tevis until she got to the American River and
her horse wouldn't cross...didn't finish. Talk about not doing your
homework!

I digress again...  Anyway, once you get the horse comfortable with the
tarp, head for the creek...small creek. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LOTS OF TIME.
When you get there, don't tense up, act funny, etc.  Just walk right up
there like no big deal.  If the horse balks, pick a "spot"... EXACTLY
where you want the horse to cross.  Now, keep his nose pointed at that
"spot"....no matter what he does...and keep "asking". No whips, no
nothing....just ask with your legs and keep him "pointed" at the "spot".
As soon as he moves forward, stop asking. If he wants to drop his head
and sniff, let him. Don't rush.  Keep him as calm as possible, but KEEP
asking.  Usually he will put in a foot, snort at the water, maybe paw a
little, put a foot in, back out, etc.  Just be patient and KEEP
ASKING....however long it takes....hour, day, week...keep asking. WE
WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL HE CROSSES.

Now the problem....If you have ever let him refuse and get away with it,
it's MUCH harder.  In this case, I recommend you get off, stand in the
creek and use the "go forward" cue using the guidelines above.  You
don't NOT want him to jump the creek. If he indicates he wants to do
that, ask him to back up and try again. On the ground, you can pull his
head around when he "poises" to jump.

That's why I said "do your homework" first.  Once you start that first
crossing, you will NOT leave there until he does it.  After he "walks"
through the first one, it's all over.

Had a mare once who would cross anything...LOVED water. What crossed her
eyes was that "Arab Eating Sponge".  Drop that sponge in the water and
drag it toward her....went bug eyed and ballistic.  Took me forever to
get her over that.....I just couldn't figure out how to "teach" her
that. (Close your ears)  Finally one day in desperation, I just beat the
crap out of her WITH the sponge. Sorta like Kathy smacking 'em between
the eyes...don't know why it worked, it just did! However, I don't
recommend this as an addendum to natural horsemanship. <grin>

Good Luck

Jim, Sun of Dimanche and Mahada Magic

> Kathy Mayeda wrote:
> 

> 
> I’ve never had too much trouble ever teaching a horse to cross a
> stream.  A lot of it was a patience and tapping the butt with a
> dressage whip (or a switch from a nearby tree.)   Note that I said
> TAPPING, not striking.  And of course, having another horse lead the
> way over the stream, but I bet you have already tried this, so I’ll
> let other more wiser people comment!
> 
> K.
> 
>           -----Original Message-----
>           From:   guest@endurance.net [mailto:guest@endurance.net]
>           Sent:   Monday, August 20, 2001 1:09 PM
>           To:     ridecamp@endurance.net
>           Subject:        RC:  water crossing
> 
>           Angela Lewis mccorkle@thegrid.net
>           I have a horse that refused to cross water of any sort.
>           Would love to
>           hear of any suggestions for this problem.  I think I have
>           tried just about
>           anything but very open for suggestions.  Thanks Angela
>           mccorkle@thegrid.net
> 
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