Help please! My husband has a new horse who is a joy to ride but his manners on the ground seem to be getting worse and worse. Bit of history,he came over from Spain where he was on a yard of stallions, he is a gelding ,and he was a pretty talented and gentle chap used to give Spanish dressage lessons to English people Spanish dressage. Since coming to England in September he has joined our group of now 4 horses/ ponies, is turned out a lot with a Shetland who he loves, and he adores both of our mares, he is top boy in the paddock but gently so and shows no aggression to the other horses. He is quite a sensitive soul, doesn't like being alone and can be bit stress. Recently , and it is only in last few weeks, his manners on the ground have become tricky. He has taken to barging people with his head, ( he has a big head as he is 17.2), and when you work him with a Dually he frequently tries and often succeeds in getting the long line in his mouth! I am constantly schooling him not too with little obvious effect. I don't think he is being aggressive, no ears back, but he is driving my husband mad and tempers are fraying. The other thing of note is he doesn't seem to respond much to body language ! He will not back up or indeed move if you raise your energy, shoulders back, even stamp! I think he thinks he is the boss, I am not scared or worried by him but we do have children and can't let this behaviour go on. Any suggestions please? Was wondering if we should contact a local IH instructor for help? Thanks Sandy
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Hi Sandy
I think you have answered your own question ;-) Yes, get and IH in asap. Ground manners are an essential part of his education. Watch the dually videos over and over again.
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There is no reason for him not to understand body language (unless he was hand reared which I doubt) it may be just that it needs to be a bit "louder" and clearer: the IHRA will help with that.
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Please don't think of it as "wanting to be the boss" - horses don't plot and think that way but if he finds that he gets the response he wants by doing what he does then he will of course keep doing it hahaha
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I appreciate it's frustrating but vital you all stay calm; it will not help one bit if tempers get frayed and in fact will make things worse.
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The dually dance with Chris Morris series of vidoes on here is just great - I;ve been doing this for years but I still learnt new stuff watching it.
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He sounds a character and he hasn't been with you very long so early days - his personality is coming to the fore and he will test your resilience and is exploring the boundaries but once he knows where he belongs he will be fine I'm sure.
I agree with all that Ms. Vicci has to say. What perked my ears up was that he has spent time turned out with Stallions/studs. So even your big boy being a gelding he is really communicating like a stud.
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I would think your body language must be very brovatic. Example: If you schooling him backwards to get him out of your space. Don't just yank the schooling rings and walk him back. Give him hard and supper fast yanks and march him back. Big overly exaggerated steps. Let your feet hit the ground like a marching platoon. Your knees high, chest out, head and neck stretched high. Very military like. And fast. Fast as you can. Even if you marching in place with little backwards movement. As quick as he yields to your pressure, you drop you level of bravado or enthusiasm. But not too much. Then give him a rub on the head.
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It will look funny to others but don't let that distract you. Be animated. Think like a stud. My thoughts are that he has been used to a high level of leadership (not to be confused with “who's the boss”). Think leader/Drill instructor/mentor/stud. Be stern but fair. It's like putting on your military offices cap. No messing around. Use clear, concise military precision. He will follow you in a heart beat, be grateful and work really hard for you. Also, use Monty's methods. No getting frustrated, keep your pulse rate and adrenaline down by going into the round pen like you have all day to work with him. Don't work with him if your on a schedule and have to be someplace else in 2 hours.
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Plan a 4 to 6 hour workout. I bet you get him following you in 15 minuets. And by the sound of his size he could train easy for that amount of time. But once he gets it. Stop on that good note. Do some follow up time and let him think it over till the next day. Then repeat the same session as if it were the first time to get him habituated to your new body language. Again, don't worry about what others think or may say around the barn. Ignore them. Be animated and enthusiastic with military precision. Good luck and keep us posted.
Hi. I whole heartedly agree with Vicci. Get in the local IH instructor ASAP. He's a big boy & your lives will all be enhanced by calm, clear, consistent, fair training so you all, equine & humans, know how to get what you want - from life. Good luck in 2015. I'm sure you will achieve a great relationship with all your horses/ponies & if you believe you have this already with the others, this big boy will, by proxy, bring you the gift of further understanding. 2015 seems to be your families year. Cheers, Jo.
IH instructor booked! Fingers crossed!
How does one contact an IH instructor in their area? I live in Southern California and does anyone know of the cost involved? Thanks, Kari
IH stands for Intelligent Horsemanship - Kelly Marks' organisation in UK. This site has a list of Monty's instructors; click on the tab at the top of this page that says Instructors and see if there is one near to you
Great Sandra, looking forward to hearing how it goes, who have you got?