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Discussion on Others' thoughts...
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 9:20 am:
As many of you know, I have a high maintenance qh gelding. He has always been one who overreacts to things (even pain I think). Last night, I brought him to a friend's large boarding facility with his pasture mate. They were turned out with about ten other geldings in a very large paddock this morning with about 2 bales of hay spread out. He ran around for about and hour, herding his pasture mate away from everyone else. The other geldings get along with each other very well and knew both of my horses. The pasture mate was just there about three months ago and was trying to get to his friends from before. My qh wouldn't let him go there, and didn't touch his hay at all.
I guess my concern is that I have made a "baby" out of him with all of the hovering I have done. If this is the case, how do I remedy the situation?
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2006 - 12:09 pm:
I think your guy will figure it out. His behaviour sounds like jealousy to me. I'd just keep an eye on things for a few days.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 7:32 am:
Who overreacts Gwen?  .
This is normal behavior for a horse in new surroundings things will improve greatly in 3 days but may take as long as 2 or 3 weeks to get back to normal. There will be weight loss usually during this time.
DrO
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 8:48 am:
Thanks for putting it in perspective. My follow up question is, how do I remedy my mistakes with raising him to be a big fat sissy. 
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 10:25 am:
I'm not sure there is a lot you can do, Gwen. Some horse are just born "extra sensitive" and in my experience, the males are more "babyish" than the mares. Both of my very macho stallions act like they've lost a leg if they so much as get a cut, and are super sensitive about having things the "way they should be" in the barn. My gelding isn't any better. My mares are very stoic. They try to "carry on" no matter what as long as you feed them!
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 11:16 am:
I'm in the process of this  Learned it here as a matter of fact
You change your attitude totally. Instead of asking him "how are you feeling today?" I say to him, "what a handsome brave boy you are!" It's actually starting to work I worry so about my sweet boy, and he picks up on it immediately.
If I have no worries, he has no worries -- which in my case also meant sensitivity.
As far as the herd situation...I believe it just takes time.
Ground work, stand firm and be strong
Just my two cents
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 11:52 am:
Wait a minute... Am I talking about my horse or my husband? Heeheehee.
Great ideas, Aileen. Thanks everyone.
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Member:
Dovene
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Posted on Friday, Jan 13, 2006 - 1:08 pm:
Gwen it is nice to know that there is someone out there that treats there horse like a baby,I have done that. I have a 11 year old gelding Morgan named Roy Boy and he is the apple of my eye. I have made the same mistake, I baby him so much and I say things to him like Hello how is momma's handsome boy doing. I thought is was just me I really had no idea that horses had so much reaction to us  . This is wonderful to here. Roy just eates it up, a little story yesterday my daughter went to go feed him and she said mom he was just rubbing up against me like he does to you and she said it must be because I have your jacket on and I said no dear it is the treats that I left in my pocket. Well thanks for listening I just wanted to share that with you. Good luck and I am sure you will do just fine.
Dorene
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 9:49 am:
He is better. He will interact with others and plays lots of halter tag. However, he will not let his little friend interact with the others. He is rediculous with the way he responds to various things. I guess it probably all comes down to him being really herd bound. Would a John Lyons type of work help him with this? I went to put a blanket on him this morning, so I took him out of the paddock and into the barn alone. He was pretty unreasonable. Dancing, pushing, snorting, the whole gamut. I would just like him to be more easy going. He is a qh for heaven's sake! Talk about misrepresentation of a product! Thanks for any ideas!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 10:19 am:
As long as babying does not mean rewarding bad behavior or indulging in bad management decisions, there is nothing wrong with babying your horse. Keep your objectives clear to the horse and reward good behavior, the most common problem I see is offering rewards while the horse is not doing what you want.
DrO
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 10:49 am:
I guess it is more the punishments I am unclear on. When he is dancing around, should I be firm with a shank on the nose, ignore him, or get him out on a lunge line (no round pen) for example?
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 11:57 am:
I just ordered a book called How to create the go anywhere, do anything horse, by Michael Peace. I will let everyone know how it is.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 12:15 pm:
Are you on or off the horse when he is dancing? One way to handle it is to get his mind engaged and focusing on you. Do this by backing him up, walking in circles, etc. With our two yr. old who tends to dance around at times, I back him up and then go forward again at the command "walk." If he continues to dance, we do this again until he can walk forward quietly. When he does I rub his shoulder and tell him how good he is.
Let us know what you think of the book when you get it. There are so many great books and videos out there and it's impossible to get them all, so I always am interested in a "book report."
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Member:
Christel
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 - 1:26 pm:
This is very interesting. I too baby talk my horses. I often wonder if people think I am nuts when I talk to my horses, but it gets response, and I don't think it is all coincidental.
About 10 days ago, I had my 4 yo mare at the vets- she was very sore on back feet, from a close trim several days before. My vet brought out a shot, Rose (the mare) looked at me, her eyes got big, I said, Rose its ok and she calmed, my vet asked if she was needle shy- she isn't- but she sure knew what that shot was, when I told her- its ok- she immediately got serene and took the shot like a champ. I have a very close relationship w/ this mare, she prefers my company over anything else, well except her feed-lol.
Even tho horses do seem to know a few words- whoa, its ok, walk, trot, lope- I am not convinced so much that they know what I am saying at all times, but they respond more to the tone of my voice. When my horses are being bad, my voice can sure get gruff-lol.
Amazing creatures- 15 years ago we would be laughed at for even thinking they might understand what we are saying, we have come a long way.
But after saying all that, one still has to have the horses respect, they must be well mannered at all times when humans are around. The human must be the leader, I think your guy is confused on that issue. I would yank on lead and back him up, say whoa, if he starts again, do the same. When you get a whoa for a couple of seconds, relax, pet, praise, if he does it again do the same, he needs to be paying attention to you, make it uncomfortable when he is not giving you his full attention. Never praise or pet when he is being naughty, but give lots of praise and petting when he is good.
I don't use chains on any of my horses, but I do use the rope halters- they seem to put more of bite at the poll, and my horses anyway, quickly learn to avoid that- usually by being more respectful.
The herd stuff he will have to work out on his own, the herd will teach him.
When your horse learns you are the boss he will be a much better horse, its kinda like tough love, and its for his own good, somewhere down the line there could be a human that is not as nice as you and things could get nasty.
You are on the right track, kudos to you and best of luck.
Chris
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 - 9:16 am:
Controlling dancing around is just good basic halter training, see Training Horses ยป Training Your Horse's Mind for explanations of techniques to handle this.
DrO
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 - 12:21 pm:
Thanks everyone. I checked out the articles you mentioned Dr. O and realized that he/I need refreshers on manners. He was in/out 24/7 at my house and didn't get handled much. Now he is led in an out twice a day at least.
I took him out of the barn yesterday to ride when all of the other horses were in. They were yelling to him and he started out all worked up. I worked really hard not to "get into it" with him. I stayed calm and quiet, but focused on tasks from standing while I got on to transitions, turns, etc. while riding. He was excellent. Lesson learned-don't "get into it" with them! I will let you know how that book goes!
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Member:
Muffi
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Posted on Monday, Jan 16, 2006 - 11:46 am:
I baby talk my boys too. My husband says I "make out" with him. I cuddle his head mummer sweet nothings in to his ears, caress his head. He eats it up. He's a lover alright. So all of you - it's a common thing I think and I am ok with it. He thrives on it. Loving the attention, and me more than my husband who tries but doesn't quite have the same touch with horses. And they know it, they don't cuddle up to him. My guy is big and when he gets hand treats too much he gets heady and pushy, but he has learned the open hands in the air and All Gone que and had now stopped that after a treat time. He still checks those pockets however for more goodies - you pockets smell like treats so I never put them in there any more. but I am a firm believer in the spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down theory. (but I use Carrots, grapes and other more healty treats) 
on the bad behavior thing, when I say NO in a firm voice or quit it he gets all ralcritant and sorry for bad behavior he looks at me as if to say sorry Mom, I won't do that again. The big thing I found is you first need their respect, you are the head of the herd and they need to know that, then supply all the loving you can and you will have a more gentle and devoted fan forever.
For the horse in a new barn, out of the back yard, it will take a little while to get him used to the new routine, but be consistant and patient, loving and firm, you will have your little baby back in no time.
good luck
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2006 - 7:58 pm:
I just received my book (How to create the go anywhere, do anything horse-Michael Peace) and I have pretty much read the whole thing. I wish I could read the books for my master's program that fast! I liked the book. It begins with the various personalities of horses and tells you how to deal with each one( I think mine is called the "trust fund horse"), then starts at square one with ground training. It takes you through teaching them to tie, ground driving, standing while mounting, then goes through walking over uncertain terrain (water, tarps, etc). It also discusses jumping ditches, walking in traffic, and through narrow spaces. It definitely accomplishes what it says it will. Creating a horse that isn't fazed by anything. What I really like about the book is that it breaks down the text into small chunks with tons of pictures.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2006 - 9:25 pm:
O.K. I "give" What is a "trust fund" horse?
Sounds like a good book. Think I'll get it for my sister-in-law who got her first horse (she's in her late 40's) for her last birthday.
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Member:
Gwen
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 6:45 am:
Well. the author compares them to "trust fund" people. They have been sheltered, protected, okay-babied for their entire lives and have not faced adversity. It also says that they think they are the center of the world and very, very important.
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 7:55 am:
..."Trust fund horse"...that cracks me up. Perfect description for my mare!
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 10:50 am:
I will check into the book too - I don't know if mine act like trust fund horses but they sure think I have a trust fund....
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 11:19 am:
Well, that describes everyone of my horses, too! And, Ann, I like the comment about their thinking they have a trust fund!
I'll look and see if Amazon has the book.
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