I have been 'playing' with Chance. His biting was becoming a BIG problem.
I thought it was taken care of with the work we did, setting boundries and not letting him in until he behaved. It only lasted a few days and then he was back to trying to nip me everytime he got the opportunity. He isn't being aggresive or nasty, he is trying to play with me like he would a pasture mate, trying to get my attention. Instead of trying the old stuff again I decided to play with him. We had a great time, I asked him to run off to the right and he would take off like a cannon ball bucking and jumping. When I asked him to stop he would quickly turn in to me and ask "what do you want me to do now?????" So I sent him to the left and off he would go again. YEEE HAAW!!! He followed every instruction with so much enthusiasm and excitement, I could almost hear him laughing as much as I was. And when I asked him to be quiet and still or slowly follow me he was right there, willing to do whatever I asked to the best of his ability. I was careful to mix it up for him, asking for what he knows and then throwing in some new stuff here and there. I even rode him bareback again with the rope halter. He was so patient, standing ready for me to get on. I stood on a muck bucket to get on and even when my foot slipped and I lost my balance he just waited, braceing himself so I could hold on to him to keep from falling.
Yes, he did try and nip me most of the time we played. I got good at blocking but other than that decided to ignore it and see if it would stop. I really think he has been bored out of his mind and is like a little boy looking for attention. And it worked. Then next day I found a much more settled horse, content and happy. He hasn't tried to nip me in 2 days. It is so nice to finally see the horse that was so deep inside himself, so shut down. He still has trouble holding his feet up, but I know that he is holding them up for as long as he can. We will keep working on it and he will eventually learn that he can give up his feet and feel safe.
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Life is a journey...enjoy the ride
About Me
The Horsewoman's Prayer
Dearest God in Heaven,
Give me the strength to guide my horse, make my hands soft and my head clear. Let my horse understand me and I him. My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals, let me never lose sight of it. My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them, let that need never lessen.
Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on an elegant head. Always let my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker. Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain always be sweet to me. Let the warm touch of a soft nose on my hand always bring me a smile. I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm. The grace and spendor of a running horse, the thunder of it's hooves makes my eyes burn and my heart soar, let it always be so.
Grant me patience, for horses are harnessed wind and
wind can be flighty. Let me not frighten or harm them,
instead show me ways to understand them. When I pass from this world, send my soul to no heaven without them,
For this love you have given me graces my existence and
I shall cherish it, and praise You for it, for all time. Amen
Author Unknown
Dearest God in Heaven,
Give me the strength to guide my horse, make my hands soft and my head clear. Let my horse understand me and I him. My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals, let me never lose sight of it. My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them, let that need never lessen.
Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on an elegant head. Always let my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker. Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain always be sweet to me. Let the warm touch of a soft nose on my hand always bring me a smile. I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm. The grace and spendor of a running horse, the thunder of it's hooves makes my eyes burn and my heart soar, let it always be so.
Grant me patience, for horses are harnessed wind and
wind can be flighty. Let me not frighten or harm them,
instead show me ways to understand them. When I pass from this world, send my soul to no heaven without them,
For this love you have given me graces my existence and
I shall cherish it, and praise You for it, for all time. Amen
Author Unknown
He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always know when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always know when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway".
by John Wayne
by John Wayne
Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
~Stanley Harrison
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
~Stanley Harrison
1 comment:
I was out in the paddock yesterday and Jed was squealing and bucking and trying to get someone to play with him. I imitated his squeal and threw my arms up in the air in a mock "rear". You should have seen his face! More squealing and cavorting ensued!
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