txminipinto
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2002
- Messages
- 2,749
- Reaction score
- 1
You know, this couldn't have had better timing following the horse whipping thread.
I have horses of all levels in my barn. I have those that I can hand off to a 6 yr old and totally trust. I have those that would show well for an older youth. I have some that are great for confidence builders for the true ammy. And then I have the ones that need straight jackets and the handler needs a drink before and after any handling.
Yesterday, I was working with a 44" shetland stallion on his ground manners. He has a habit of not walking, lounging forward, and kicking out with both rear legs unexpectedly. Obviously, a very dangerous animal to be leading around at home much less at a show. He wears a regular weanling horse halter, chain in the mouth, and I carry a whip. And we've been making progress. This is also a pony that I have a very deep relationship with. He's a one person pony and I'm his person. I can honestly say he loves me, but he has this one issue.
Yesterday, seemed like a really good day. He was walking well on lead with the chain still in his mouth, but loose. He was mouthing the chain, dropping his head (when he stands at full height, his head is over mine), and walking respectfully. We made several laps with no needed corrections other than a grunt or two from me when he started thinking. At this point, I thought "wow, he's been so good, I'll put him up and let him eat". No sooner had I said this, WHAM!
He had suddenly jumped forward, I only had time to correct him with the chain, he bent his head and hip into me and got me. Not a glancing blow, but a full hoof. Fortunately, I was close enough yet just far enough for it to really really hurt.
Now, I'm outside alone, with a cell phone in my pocket, but unable to get it because I'm standing on one leg, trying not to fall hanging on to this stallion who KNOWS he's in big doo doo. Did I want to just throw him back in his stall? Yes. Did I? No. Did I whip him? No, because I couldn't. I was doing good to stay standing and the 3 seconds had long passed. I shook off the pain, and we restarted. And every time he lounged forward he was shanked and took a whip across the chest. Not hard enough to draw blood or whelps, but hard enough to stop him. And we worked until he behaved. Now, maybe some of you could have whispered in his ear or petted him and he would have behaved on the lead. But this is a horse that wants to please me. He wants to be good and in the ring, he shows beautifully. But, he has a hard time controlling his 2 yr old hormones and forgets that he's bigger, stronger, and can hurt me. I think he remembers now.
This is a close up from this morning about 12 hours after. It's as big as my palm, raised, and really sore. I'm sure it will be a nice shade of dark black purple by the time I get home. I guess some would say that it was my fault I got kicked. Maybe, but I doubt the mother of the child who gets kicked in the head at a show will think it was her fault or the child's fault for running up behind him.
I don't advocate whip use for minor behavior issues. I don't whip a horse until they bleed. But, I'm experienced enough that with some horses you must communicate like a horse. If you are fortunate enough to never pick up a whip, then you are either very lucky horseowner or you have made wise descisions in your horse buying. Unfortunately, not every horse is for a beginner and not every horse understands that when working with humans you must use your mind, not your brute force. Humans are easy to train, most horses are not.
I have horses of all levels in my barn. I have those that I can hand off to a 6 yr old and totally trust. I have those that would show well for an older youth. I have some that are great for confidence builders for the true ammy. And then I have the ones that need straight jackets and the handler needs a drink before and after any handling.
Yesterday, I was working with a 44" shetland stallion on his ground manners. He has a habit of not walking, lounging forward, and kicking out with both rear legs unexpectedly. Obviously, a very dangerous animal to be leading around at home much less at a show. He wears a regular weanling horse halter, chain in the mouth, and I carry a whip. And we've been making progress. This is also a pony that I have a very deep relationship with. He's a one person pony and I'm his person. I can honestly say he loves me, but he has this one issue.
Yesterday, seemed like a really good day. He was walking well on lead with the chain still in his mouth, but loose. He was mouthing the chain, dropping his head (when he stands at full height, his head is over mine), and walking respectfully. We made several laps with no needed corrections other than a grunt or two from me when he started thinking. At this point, I thought "wow, he's been so good, I'll put him up and let him eat". No sooner had I said this, WHAM!
Now, I'm outside alone, with a cell phone in my pocket, but unable to get it because I'm standing on one leg, trying not to fall hanging on to this stallion who KNOWS he's in big doo doo. Did I want to just throw him back in his stall? Yes. Did I? No. Did I whip him? No, because I couldn't. I was doing good to stay standing and the 3 seconds had long passed. I shook off the pain, and we restarted. And every time he lounged forward he was shanked and took a whip across the chest. Not hard enough to draw blood or whelps, but hard enough to stop him. And we worked until he behaved. Now, maybe some of you could have whispered in his ear or petted him and he would have behaved on the lead. But this is a horse that wants to please me. He wants to be good and in the ring, he shows beautifully. But, he has a hard time controlling his 2 yr old hormones and forgets that he's bigger, stronger, and can hurt me. I think he remembers now.
This is a close up from this morning about 12 hours after. It's as big as my palm, raised, and really sore. I'm sure it will be a nice shade of dark black purple by the time I get home. I guess some would say that it was my fault I got kicked. Maybe, but I doubt the mother of the child who gets kicked in the head at a show will think it was her fault or the child's fault for running up behind him.
I don't advocate whip use for minor behavior issues. I don't whip a horse until they bleed. But, I'm experienced enough that with some horses you must communicate like a horse. If you are fortunate enough to never pick up a whip, then you are either very lucky horseowner or you have made wise descisions in your horse buying. Unfortunately, not every horse is for a beginner and not every horse understands that when working with humans you must use your mind, not your brute force. Humans are easy to train, most horses are not.
