I have seen two types of instruction about what to
do about a "herd bound" horse.
One suggests making his/her life miserable when
near the herd, and happy away. That is you work and/or punish them near
the herd, and let them walk when going away. I'm sure it
works.
The other is what I have always done with
mine. Almost all the time I have ridden my personal horse alone and
without companions from the herd. I start right when I get them and just
ride away. With almost all horses, while they are a bit goosey, they
haven't yet got a strong attachment and things go fine. If a horse is a
bit spooky away from the herd, like Stevie who had never seen forests or herds
of maniacal white tailed deer, I dismount and let them graze awhile.
Eventually they associate being away with grazing and the problem has corrected
itself. On the way back I make sure that they do not always turn in the
drive, but go further. If they balk, they go back and forth until they
relax.
If a horse starts to get excited when going alone,
I do not punish them (I don't want them to associate riding and me with
unpleasant things). I simply dismount and lead them away from home until
they relax. With Reno, I walked for miles in the beginning.
This spring, we will be taking our 2 yr. old for
walks, like a dog on a leash. He is rather bold, so I don't expect any
problems. If we do find he has a problem, he will go on lots of walks and
we will become much more fit. A win-win situation.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
