To stable practice or not to stable practice?

[ju]

Interesting times having moved yards - a bit out of the frying pan into the fire. Benji Boo has rediscovered grass and girlies and is a tad painful at the mo and changing yards is, of course, another element to add in. Nonetheless, when I first met him at MSC he was quite happy in his stable when all of the chums were outside (although to be fair, the herd was larger - at the mo, in his field, it's 2 x geldings, 2 x mares, one of whom is in season and loves the other gelding but gives B a bit of a come on and then sends him away - forcefully, good job he's got a rug on...the other mare just thinks he's a bit of a div...and sends him away!).

So, I bring him up to the stables to groom etc and I've got the bouncing barging loon I've taken to making sure he's tied up fairly short with a haynet and standing back with a cup of coffee, going in, doing what is do-able, stepping back until he cools it and then carrying on. But there are other riders/owners/kids to consider and they have to get around him - SAFELY.

So, I was wondering if I'm being daft and if I shouldn't pop him in his stable (with hay etc) until he cools it - thus giving him a chance to get his head together , me the opportunity not to have to chase about after the gooey-green-grassy stuff-in-the-gravel (and drink a calming coffee)? Will he learn that it's not all about racing back to the herd and that it's a safe chilled place to be? I'm deeply missing something somewhere

All idea's/thoughts welcome.

[erika]

Sounds like insecurity and a desire to get back to the others. I had exactly the same problem with George and you certainly don't want to be barged by a 15.3hh Normandy Cob.
He will probably get over it and settle down but it is worth re-inforceing his need to respect people in his stable. George would never dream of barging past anybody in the yard or field but isn't always polite indoors.
To sort him out I started with him in the yard. When I want his attention then I untie him and ask him to back up. I then issue the command STAND in a very strong voice. If he walks forward then I ask him to go back and repeat the process. Normally I only have to ask once and then I have his complete attention. I use the same method in the stable and this works. Actually just STAND usually works.
And I wouldn't have coffee that will raise your stress levels, I would suggest a cup of camomile tea which will take the edge off your jitters. You could also try some on Benji as well mixed in with his feed.
Good luck I am sure he will be fine.

[ju]

Thanks for the thoughts Erika and yes, I think there is and element of insecurity/desire to return to the herd. I'm not sure I was too clear with "So, I bring him up to the stables to groom etc and I've got the bouncing barging loon I've taken to making sure he's tied up fairly short with a haynet and standing back with a cup of coffee, going in, doing what is do-able, stepping back until he cools it and then carrying on. But there are other riders/owners/kids to consider and they have to get around him - SAFELY." What I was trying to say was that I bring him up to the stable to groom but tie up outside - it's me that stands back in the stable with the coffee! I was wondering if he should be having some stable practice time with his hay to occupy him (feed? FEED? As in stuff that isn't hay or grass? No chance, he is doing all too well on grass!!) and to perhaps wean him from his present dependency?

[Briony Anakin]

Hi Ju

I have a young cob (he will be 4 in June) and we have had to move a couple of times due to my work. I have had him since he was 15 months old (bought him from Avril and her team), and kept him at the same place until he was 2. The first time I moved him, I had only had him for 7 months and I don't think we had built up a proper bond as he was unbearable! I couldnt get anywhere near him when he was tied up and he was barging the door in the stable, I didn't know what to do with him and ended up having to just put him out in the field! This lasted for about a week, but i kept trying every day and doing what i could with him and then taking him for an explore around, and then praising him every time he stood still. He did soon settle although I was sure he never would!

He is now just about to turn 4 and we moved yards again this weekend. This time, he was totally chilled about it all and has been a delight for the whole process, and I think that it is because I have had him for 2.5 years now and i get the impression from him that so long as i am there he feels secure.

It really does sound like insecurity to me and he will take time to adjust to his new surroundings, you just need to make sure that you feel relaxed too as you would be suprised what they can pick up on!

Please don't worry, you aren't doing anything wrong, just make sure that he isn't allowed to forget his manners amongst all of this though!!

best of luck

Horses are naturally

[BrionyAnakin]

Forgot to add, I used to build up the amount of time that Ani was in his stable for without hay, so it would go from 1 minute, the next day 2 minutes (with me standing round the corner) and then i would reward him with hay, and i had to do it that way until he began to just relax and realise that barging around didnt get him anywhere.

It took time but I am really glad that i put in all the work back then, as it has really paid off now that I want to be concentrating on other things such as his ridden work! x

[ju]

Thanks Briony - as you say, building up the time until he understands that barging about in the stable won't get results.

Jx

[ju]

Sometimes you just have to smile and hug certain moments to yourself. Despite having wussy/dim moments (both of us), I toddled up to see him this morning and he was settled down, dozing in the middle of the field in the sun. I walked up & knelt down and gave him a rub around the ears and eyes and a scratch about under the rug. He went all dozy on me, big sighs, found the apple in my pocket, had breakfast in bed and was just his NORMAL lovable self. He just about had the energy to nibble a bit of grass, working gently towards my boot, snuffled about and very gently but deliberately bit the toe of my boot - just slipping to teeth over the top! Can't have been too nice as I'd been poo picking! I carried on scratching about and he sighed and just flopped out (ponio colapso!) - a real "I wish I had a video moment!). So I decided to try picking out hooves horizontally - worked a treat! He was almost snoring. I thought I'd leave him to get along with life and enjoy the sun and go back in a bit to take off the rug when he'd decided to get up - I wandered away and he got up and followed me - bless! As I was due up in the afternoon I thought a bit of field grooming was in order and the rest could be done later. He stood like a good 'un to take the rug off and have a quick scrub over with a brush - and then he remembered the mare that wasn't in season...but now she is - bother bugger and blast! Never mind, enjoy the good bits when they happen! Went up this afternoon to ride and yes, we had numptyville, but took the stand back/breathe/not reacting to the nonsense route...as soon as the tack was on - different person. Strange few days - up's, downs, up's (a bit like the weather - rain, wind, sun rain, wind - howling gale!) - that's life! It's just nice to know that under the grass-n-girls nonsense, there is still the lovely chap!

[janebaily]

Hi Ju,

I had to laugh at your post, i love the "ponio colapso". It sounds to me as if your bond is still very much there and it is the girls and grass nonsense thing. I must admit, if i had Brad Pitt and as much Ben and Jerrys i could eat, i dont think i would want to think about anything else.!!

I agree with Briony, its just time, and the "dripping tap" thing. You sound like a sensible horsey gal anyway, who listens to her ned, but if you are like me, it is just nice to know you are not alone, if you know what i mean?
Let us know how you get on.

Lots of best wishes, Jane and Elda xx

[ju]

Hi Jane & Elda, sorry but I loved the "Brad Pitt and as much Ben and Jerrys i could eat, i dont think i would want to think about anything else.!!" analogy - giggling away to myself, it's not just the glass of wine!!

Actually, had a good day today: went up poo picked a couple of fields (very zen-ifying), did another mid field "loose" hoof picking and then decided to take us both in hand. Extracted him from the hareem, tied him up outside the stable block, whipped off the rain rug and marched up to the arena and did 40 mins of ground work. When we walk your head is at my shoulder. When I stop you stop - you don't take a step beyond me - you pay attention to me. When I decide you trot with me you don't think about it you jump to it. No aggression, some repetition, a fair bit of "no, you're not listening, back up (which he never likes - although he always has to back up a pace or two before I mount up. Why? Cos Michael said he should! I think it's a who moves who's feet thing?) a few steps, pay attention and we'll try that again." Sometimes I wonder if a bit of brain work, not just pounding about in the school (which neither of us really enjoy) and hacking isn't such a bad thing and it can be just as tiring.... anyhoo, went back, tied up had a nice slow grooming session and sent him back to the hareem....he even followed me in preference for a while until I parted with a couple of carrots...after that the hareem/tarts won his attention! Nonetheless, I was happy and he seemed pretty chilled.

Still smiling about Brad, Ben & Jerry - thank you!

Ohhhhhhhhh, please, enough with the rain and wind already!

J x

[ju]

Fingers crossed - things are still going in a chillaxed direction (hope I haven't just kiboshed that by saying anything!).

Thank you all for the words of support :-)

J x

[em]

Hi Ju

When I have a horse that is worrying or barging around I always remember some words I learnt from Avril " WHO MOVES WHO'S FEET IS IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF?"

Let me explain the herd leader will always move the horses away from its space thus moving their feet and it is never the other way round... now with an excitable horse i always used to move out of its way. stepping back or moving sideways to avoid being squished...

However inorder for the horse to realise me as a safe person to follow and thus calm down I must move the horse away from me
(me move his feet and not him moving me)

So when I find myuself with a horse that is tied up and twisting one way then the next and calling out and basically ignoring me because it wants to be with the herd .. this is what I do

I untie it and immediately lead it in a firm but quiet manner around in a small circle left then right then I push it backwards then ask it to walk forwards then circle again then back then forwards round and round hence I am moving its feet ..I will then stand him up at the tie up ring and if the horse appears quiet he will be praised if he remains so, I will tie him up and get on with what I wanted to do and if he starts being silly again then I start thre procedure again..

Have to say it has never failed to make a horse calm down and stand but I am a novice at this and sometimes doing nothing is as appropriate as doing something

good luck x

[em]

ha ha ha sorry Ju just actually read your earlier post and you already know about the who moves whos feet so I am preaching to the converted... your groundwork has started to work because you ARE moving his feet.. well done you for finding the way forward

x x x

[ju]

No worries Em, it's nice to have things confirmed so thank you for taking the time :-) It's a bit like dancing with my husband - I have to remind him that whatever he thinks/has been taught
I LEAD ;D