I cannot thank Monty enough for giving me the skills to train my horses. I have 2 mares, a 13yo 14-2hh Australian Sock Horse who is saddle broken, and a 3yo 10-3hh Welsh Mountain pony who is not. The older girl has was pretty much abandoned on a property for years before I got her, the younger was halter broken as a foal, turned out and ignored.
Both have been extremely difficult to catch and 2 weeks ago when I couldn't get anywhere near the little one I decided I was going to have to do some work with them (apart from feeding them each day I've been so busy setting up a new business I've not had time for them).
I would darly love to do JoinUp with them, but the biggest problem is catching them, before we could even consider that. So for the past 10 days I've spent 5 minutes each morning and evening using the "Catching your horse in the pasture" tips. Started off with just walking up to them and patting them, then with a rope over my shoulder, then putting the rope on them, then around their necks, then with a halter.
This morning I walked straight up to my little pony and put the her Dually halter straight on her with minimal protest. I am soooo pleased (we achieved this yesterday with the older horse)
Even better, the big horse stood still to be patted and fussed over by 2 young girls last night, who had never patted a horse before. I have invited them back in a couple of days to groom the horses, by that time the little one should be easier to handle.
Congratulations Pinkie - just fantastic to read of your success. Monty's methods really do work - just wish more horse owners around me would sign up to the Uni. so they can appreciate and enjoy the videos and information Monty makes available to us. My membership is about due again and after three years. I was thinking of cancelling out but reading comments like yours certainly make me tempted to join up again for yet another year. Good luck with continued progress with your two - keep us posted!
Thanks Maggie :-)
I recently went to see Monty when he was over here in WA in August, and he was fantastic to watch, I couldn't wait to sign up for the Uni. I was a bit surprised that there weren't more people at the event, and that some friends who went didn't join the Uni.
My only problem now is that I have to wait for a new Dually halter to arrive for my big girl as the red one I bought for her is too small :-( So glad he brought out the green one though as the red is way too big for my Welshie..
Next step is to get the other half to build me a round yard :-)
Wanted to see Monty when he was here but couldn't organise myself for either Brisbane or Tamworth. I built a round yard for my Shetland in 2012. Took me most of the year to complete it in my spare time. Had the land flattened and post holes drilled but then put in the posts and rails myself and had about 4 metres of sand delivered to spread over it. Ended up being a bit smaller than I wished, 13 metres in diameter instead of 15 but it is fine for my Shetland and OK for beginners on the larger horses. Only trouble is that my Shetland foundered badly while I was still building it and he has been confined to a little sandy yard ever since and is not rideable. Every time he is trimmed he is really sore . Sadly each time he gets better he is due for another trim so he has lived on bute most of this last year. After over 12 months I am getting desperate and the vet has finally suggested that we should try rubber under his hooves. Not sure what it involves but I will know next week after yet another round of X rays for the farrier who will do it. Fingers crossed as I hate seeing him go through these awful cycles which I share with him - so sad when he is lame - so happy when he is feeling good. He is a darling little pony and I a can't give up on him.
Hi Maggie
I feel for the little fella, I hope he is well again soon. Stay with us on the forum Maggie, I would miss you :-)
Thanks Vicci - I would miss you and all your very helpful comments too so I will renew my membership next week.
God bless Monty, I was able to accomplish Join-Up for the first time in 2013 and hopefully I'll be able to do some more in 2014.
Great to hear from you again Horse addict. How is the cantering progressing? Do hope all is well with you..
Have had such difficulty getting onto this site lately, had to come in via a roundabout way, but finally got here!
Poor little guy Maggie, I love Shetlands but wanted something a little bigger for a carriage pony so went with the Welsh. Let me know how you get on with the rubber thing as I'd be curious as to how it works. I've used Old Mac's boots before, they are fantastic. Popular amongst my friends who drive ponies as mostly you have to stick to tarmac because of the carriage, which can be hard on the poor pony. Having seen the same pony come down the same hill with the same cart both with and without them, I can testify they also give great traction and so much more control!
We've had some great successes this week. My partner managed to walk up to my little one in the paddock and pat her for the first time EVER, and my big girl who you could pat but not get near if you had a rope or halter, stood nicely to have her new Dually halter tried on and adjusted, without even needing a rope. Plus the little one managed to get a piece of wire tangled in her forelock. A few weeks ago I'd have had to chase her round the paddock for hours and then have a fight to get it out, whereas this time she walked straight up to ME! Then tonight I accidentally left the gate to the paddock open and she wandered out. I just had to walk up to her, grab her mane and lead her back into the paddock... I am soooo thankful :-)