How to not spoil our adorable wee mini-horse?

[Scooter]

Hello,

We have just bought a 6mth old british/american mini-horse. He is adorable and very social

Scooter has been halter/lead trained - his previous owners took him for a walk every day and have told us to keep him in and start him with just half an hour out in the paddock and increase that time gradually over the next week or so.

We took him up the fields yesterday for a walk and he was very good for most of the time but towards the end started bucking and rearing and trying to run ahead of my wee girl who was leading him. I think she may have been holding him too close to his head... When we got back he had to be tempted back into his shed with some hay - knows his own mind!

His previous owners have alot of horses and are very nice people so I'm sure he has been well trained but I'm worried that he will take advantage of our inexperience - I know we need to be firm with him but he is just so cute and huggable!

Any advice much appreciated - We only have him a week and I don't want us to get him into bad habits... We have experience of other animals but not horses (except for what my daughter has picked up at her horse riding lessons).

 

[little lady]

First welcome to the wonderful world of miniatures! By the sounds of it from being kept in, being a young horse, he has energy to burn. He probably needs an area to run and play to burn off some of his energy. Yes, stay firm with him and keep him inline or you may create quite a problem. It is much easier to keep them in line then to correct an established bad behavior. Good luck with your new wee one!

 

[shalakominiatureshowhorses]

Yes your right about being firm, but remember, no matter how little the horse is, you must treat it like a larger riding horse. Even though that horse is small, he can still hurt you or even worse hurt your little girl. And your right, he is probably taking advantage of your enexperience, but he cannot push you around. When I got my mini he just thought, "oh well you don't know a thing, so we are doing things my way." He bit, kicked and charged. But, with experience from horses big and small, I knew how to take care of that. Now he is the most lovable horse you could ever ask for! But, he knows his boundaries around me. He cannot lean on my or rest his head on my head (a sign of dominance) things like that.

LOL, yes, when a horse knows they are going home, they pick up the pace. But bucking and rearing in my book is not acceptable. He may have been excited or he got spooked by something behind you, one if mine spook at birds and he bucks, but he's gotten over his fear . About your daughter being too close to his head, I don't think that triggered the bucking and the rearing. But, as a safety caution I would rather have you leading him all the time until you can figure out how to control him when he bucks and kicks like that. Then, once you feel that he is safe, your daughter can have him back

of course, that's just my opinion.

How I cure these types of situations....

when he starts to buck, I start turning him in circles, like you would to stop a riding horse (one rein stop) from taking off or stop him from acting stupid. Then, I walk him backwards. When any horse of mine acts stupid on the lead line, I back them up. Horse psychology is whoever moves their feet first loses. That's why horses push each other around, it's a sign of dominance and establishes rank in the herd. So, by backing him up or moving his feet, your saying that your the leader and you make the calls on what he can do (so, on this case, your saying bucking is a no no)

For rearing, I yank (not hard) on the lead line so that he feels pressure on the nose. This might spook him at first, but it's supposed to be a disciplinary action. Then, again I back them up.

I hoped this helped and of course I'm not a pro, I just base my knowledge on my personal experiences, what has worked for me, and what other mentors of mine have taught me. Sorry in advance if there are any typos, I'm using an iPhone and its autocorrect is crazy!!

 

[shalakominiatureshowhorses]

And I just saw that he is a little LITTLE one

like little lady said ( we were posting at the same time ) he just probably needs energy to burn. You said you have a paddock, does he have room to really run and burn some energy?

 

[Jill]

We love ours like pets, but we treat them like horses. They are actually happier that way

 

[Debby - LB]

Welcome Elaine! There is a wealth of knowledge here, if you cannot find it just ask.

There are many articles and stories archived. Since you are not only new to miniature horses but horses in general you'll need to read up on some basics. It is very easy in their cuteness to treat them like a dog and let them get away with behavior that is dangerous from a horse...just because they are little don't let that fool you.

Here are some links to a little information that may be of some help.

This is a link to Lil Beginnings Miniature Horse information pages: http://www.lilbeginn...com/links/info/ (working on getting any outdated links fixed so I apologize if you come across one).

Good info. for new owners: http://www.lilbeginn...om/info/newown/

General health page: http://www.lilbeginn...om/info/health/

http://www.lilbeginnings.com/info/health2/

Here is a link to our "best of" forum: http://www.miniature...php?showforum=8

You'll get good advice here! good luck.

.

 

[Scooter]

Thank you all so much for such great advice - I'll check out all those links Debby

Yes, he has lots of space to run shalakominiatureshowhorses - we're just taking it slowly on the fresh grass this week. Thank you so much for your practical advice -- I will be putting it into practice if he bucks/rears again. He didn't do it today but he is still being stubborn about going back in his shed. Probably because he is in it a too much this week but I was firm with him and he did walk in himself then.

Is it easier to get them to walk backwards than frontwards? When he plants those 4 feet they're glued to the ground!

 

[madmax]

Welcome and you are starting a great new adventure!

since he is so young, he will have a lot of energy, and it sounds to me that he needs more than 1/2 hour to be free to run and play in the paddock and use up that energy. After he is quiet from all that playing (which he needs) then he would be most likely to be quieter on the lead for his walk, which is a pleasure walk for you, but in reality is a training session for him. So do not let him get rough with you, but do not get rough with him, you are building trust right now. Have fun.

 

[fancyshadow]

Welcome to mini horses. You asked about moving him when he plants his feet. That is his 'temper tantrum' of sorts. When ours do that, we do two things. If the first doesn't get him moving, we go to the second. We repeat until he moves forward on command. First, we break his stance by pushing him sideways. Many times this is all it will take to get him to move forward. If that doesn't work, we will stand in front of him and make him go backwards about 3 or 4 steps and then get to his side and ask for him to go forward. We will repeat the second step as often as it takes to get him to stop being stubborn--going a little further back each time. Even our most stubborn ones will start going forward after a few backings because they hate having you in front and making them go back.

Good luck and be sure to reward good behavior with a lot of petting and verbal 'good boy'. I don't like to reward with treats as a rule because that tends to make mine 'snappy' I give treats sporatically so they don't expect it and start nibbling/biting at my hand and/or pockets. We always try to end any session with a 'good note' If we are having a lot of trouble with a horse and he hasn't had a single 'good move' then we will ask something that we know he will do for us and praise him for doing it and put him up for a while.

 

[Scooter]

Wow - fantastic tips fancyshadow!

I'm so glad I took the courage to ask these questions - I was afraid all you "horsey" folks might think I should already know this basic stuff

 

[Sandee]

The main thing to remember is that YOU must be the head "horse". That's the way he needs to think of you and your daughter. No matter how cute he is, just like a child, bad behavior is unacceptable. Stay calm, be patient, and work with him as much as you can. You might want to get a small pen that is not on grass so he can be outside but not eating constantly. Sounds like he is bored with being inside.

Discipline bad behavior and reward good behavior....even is it's just a scratch or pat and "good boy" for WALKING into the stall.

 

[dannigirl]

Wow - fantastic tips fancyshadow!

I'm so glad I took the courage to ask these questions - I was afraid all you "horsey" folks might think I should already know this basic stuff

Hi,

I am fancyshadow's wife. I didn't realize I was signed in in hubby's name till now. LOL

Just wanted to say that there are no really silly or dumb questions. I think you are worse off not knowing than not asking with these little ones. Have fun with him.

Angie

 

[shalakominiatureshowhorses]

Thank you all so much for such great advice - I'll check out all those links Debby

Yes, he has lots of space to run shalakominiatureshowhorses - we're just taking it slowly on the fresh grass this week. Thank you so much for your practical advice -- I will be putting it into practice if he bucks/rears again. He didn't do it today but he is still being stubborn about going back in his shed. Probably because he is in it a too much this week but I was firm with him and he did walk in himself then.

Is it easier to get them to walk backwards than frontwards? When he plants those 4 feet they're glued to the ground!

LOL I don't think any of them are easy in the beginning. If he plants his feet, he is playing the "who moves first" I think. When I got my horse when he was 6months old he did that. I was advised by his old owner to use a long lead rope, loop it around his butt and pull lightly, gradually increasing the pressure and his butt and his head and wait for him to take a step. In the beginning, one step is rewarded with the release of pressure on the halter and on his butt, then once he has confidence in one step, then I ask for two, then three and then they usually walk without the lead around his butt.

Hope this helps!!

keep us posted on how he is doing!

 

[JMS Miniatures]

He is trying to beat you to the barn it sounds like, soon he will become barn sour. Instead of taking him out of the barn to work him work him at the barn. Do all sort of exercises. Work on obstacle training. Anything you can do too keep his feet moving.

Then once you worked with him can be like 10 min each time take him away from the barn and just spend time just loving on him, grooming him, this time is for him and you. Then go back to the barn and if he does this again work him again at the barn and do it all over again, and then take him away. If he has the wrong energy to do the bad thing he has the energy to do the right thing. It sounds like he can lead just fine and walks are just fine, great time for you too bond but right now he is testing you and see what he can get away with. Right now is the time to teach him so advance his training. To earn his respect you must move his feet.

 

[Rhondaalaska]

when i first got my little girl. she would be stubborn about going forward. we would lead her in a tight circle then go strait. we just had to get her feet moving.

we also don't go straight to the barn. we work by the barn before we put her away and for different amount of time so she cant anticipate that when we are at the barn that that means that we are finished. it takes time for them to get it through their little brains. but these horses are very smart. you always have to remember they are horses just in little packages.

 

[Scooter]

Thanks again everyone

The good news is that I've taken all your advice and it is working! When he planted his feet I pushed him from the side to get him moving. Didn't work the very first time so I did the "moving backwards" trick and repeated it until he moved forwards (using the lead to pull forwards with my left hand and putting pressure on his butt with my right hand). After using this procedure a few times yesterday he is MUCH better today and only planted his feet for about 1 second and moved forwards almost immediately when I used the lead and a wee pat on the butt.

When I was leading him and he started running ahead of me I made him go in circles like you told me and that seems to be working too.

I'm thrilled - I love you guys

Isn't the internet amazing? My wee horse is being trained (and I am too) by people all over the world!

Thanks for the advice about working him before putting him back into the barn so he can't anticipate when he is going to be put in again JMS Miniatures & Rhondaalaska - I'll do that when I'm out with him next.

 

[shorthorsemom]

Hi, welcome from pennsylvania. Just curious, is your baby gelded? Excellent advice you are getting... I had to do most of the training on my young ones before allowing my children to assist me with leading. They can pop up in an instant. When I let them lead, I had a lead rope on the other side of the halter and we led together. best wishes.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

If he is in a stall, taken out and worked on a lead then, no, he is not going to want to go back into the stall....now tell me honestly, would you?

He is a baby, do you have other horses for him to socialise with- remember he will have come form all that and horses are, first and foremost, herd animals. Instead of trying to solve problems, let's try to avoid getting them in the first place, which you can do by having him out, all the time, with free access to a shed or stall, just like my babies and babies all over the UK. At this time of year there is very little in the grass, it is the best time of year, in our hemisphere, for getting horses not used to it, out on pasture. My yearlings, who are a couple of months older than your little boy, have never been stalled. They are out, on very good grass, 24/7 with free access to a run in shed, ad lib hay and an enormous feed once a day. They still buck and kick and play- they are babies, that is what they do, but they are handled every day- I don't walk them or play with them as I really do think they need to be babies at the moment, and just chill out- there is plenty of time for them to learn everything else in a couple of months when I bring them up to start show training. At the moment, so long as I can pare their feet, worm them and handle them, that is more than enough.

 

[supaspot]

Welcome to the forum and Congratulations on your new mini ! I hope you have lots of fun with him, I may get to meet you at one of the shows here

I dont want to be a spoil sport but I wouldnt encourage your young daughter to be leading him yet until he has settled in and you know each other a bit better and he is confident with you on a lead rein , he is a baby , if he was born in the wild he would still be suckling his mum , he like all babies need to play, if you have him cooped up for 23.5 hours a day Im not really surprised he needs to let off steam and with a young inexperienced person leading him things can easily go wrong and either/both could get hurt . I also strongly urge you to consider getting him a friend his own size for company he will be much happier , may I ask what are you feeding him ? many people new to minis dont give them anywhere near enough protein and they can become malnourished , if you need advice this is a great place to find it

 

[Scooter]

@shorthorsemom -- No, he hasn't been gelded yet.

Thank you @RabbitsFizz. I'm happy to allow Scooter to be a baby and I don't intend to show him now or in the future so that type of training doesn't really worry me. I'm glad to know that it is safe to let him eat as much grass as he wants -- I was just following the advice of his previous owner who said to limit him for the first few days.

@supaspot -- We're giving him a handful of Simply Natural horsemeal morning and evening along with haylage (and whatever grass he eats). He gets fresh water twice a day. I certainly don't intend to have him cooped up 23.5hrs per day -- we're out with him every couple of hours taking him for plenty of walks and he has free access from his stall to a good sized paddock to run free in.

Thanks for your advice regarding my daughter. I'm always with her when she is leading him and she is nearly 12yrs old so she is not too tiny but I do agree that we need to be very careful.