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Re: [RC] kicking,leaping etc. - Barbara McCraryThis part of the post reminded me of starting my 8 year old when he first arrived here. He was saddle broke, but he wanted to test me to decide if I was worthy to be his person. He nipped me a few times, he kicked me lightly a few times (only when I fell under his feet, which was on occasions, as he had the habit of swinging away from me when I tried to mount or dismount), and he was being a general jerk one day, about two years ago, shortly after I got him. So instead of riding him that day, I took him on a 2-mile walk around our ranch, with a rope halter, a large heavy rope, and a limber switch cut from a bush. If he tried to walk on me, he got his chest or upper front legs switched. In general, whatever he did that was unacceptable was promptly corrected. By the time we returned home from that walk, he was a believer. This is a very intelligent horse, but I had to earn his respect and affection. He didn't give it to me until I had had him for 9 months; then one day he looked me straight in the eye and said, "I think I will keep you." Then he put his forehead against my chest and snuggled. We've been partners ever since. He still spooks at silly things, but I trust him like I've never trusted a horse before. Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jonni" <jonnij@xxxxxxxx> To: <rides2far@xxxxxxxx> Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2004 7:43 PM Subject: Re: [RC] kicking,leaping etc. It could just be lack of "Whoa now or I WILL feed you to the dogs", or it could be desensitizing issues. (which to me, goes back the whoa thing, as a horse that spooks, should still stop when told to do so) I make sure they know WHOA.Before I ever get on them, I do lots of walking with a lead, and stopping when I say WHOA. They some only need a lead rope, some need a rope halter, some need a shank. But when I check that lead, and say "whoa", they are not to take one more step. Then, when I start riding them, I do lots of "whoa" work again. Lots and lots of starts and stops at the walk, then trot, then canter. You can do it in a ring, or you can do it on the trail. But "whoa" means now. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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