Hi all, for those of you who have been following my progress with Buster the Brumby i thought it was time for an update!
He has been going great with the Dually halter. He listens to it really well now. I don't need any pressure to back him up and we almost have that sweet spot when leading ( he has a tendency to lag behind a bit!). I am now able to pick out his front feet but he still has trouble balancing. I am going to get an Equine Touch practitioner to come and do some work with him in case there is some reason why he finds that difficult. He had a saddle pad on the other day, no problems there. Next time i tried saddle pad and roller, still no worries. I have a new roller on order as the one i have got is for a big TB....doesn't fit my little brumby! But at least it got him used to the feel of something round his tummy. I had used my long line round his tummy before the roller to see if there was any ticklish or sensitive spots which there weren't. So today i decided to try a saddle! I went for the incremental approach. Saddle pad first, lap round the yard, roller, lap round the yard then i took the roller off and sat the saddle on his back. Well i must say this little fellow is amazing! he did not bat an eyelid when i put the saddle on and was fine even with girthing it up aswell. I walked him around a bit with it girthed loosely but tight enough that it would not slip round and then i tightened up after a few laps. He was calm and quiet the whole time! What a horse! I have no doubt that having always had positive experiences with humans has made a big impact on how well this is going. A few successful join ups has also been a key for establishing respect and order in our relationship.
Janelle
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Horse Behavior and Training
Buster takes saddle for the first time
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Hi Janelle,
Congratulations! What an amazing sensation it must have been, walking Buster around with his first saddle! Are you in for sending him off in the roundpen, so he can feel the saddle in both trot and canter in both directions? Should he buck, send him forward. He could come back to you in the middle for comfort. This would settle your relationship even more.
I'm glad you're going to have a professional look at him for balance.
You did a great job, still do a great job!
Keep us posted on what comes next,
Miriam
Janelle
If Buster is good with the saddle on at the walk with you leading, I would do what Miriam suggests and put him in the round pen (free not lead line) but before to let him get into the trot or canter be sure to secure the stirrups. You don't want them to start banging him in the sides. You can either remove the stirrups and leave the jockeys in place or tie them together under the horse but not so tight as to be like a girth. Stand back and let him go!. If he is like most horses he will start to buck and as Miriam said keep him going forward and he can't buck as hard. As soon as he settled and takes a lap without bucking stop him and let him come to you for a rub. If this is the first time for this lesson, stop it and call it a day. Stopping on a good note will payoff the next time he is saddled.
Some horses may buck at the start of their work in the round pen for a while so don't be disappointed if Buster continues to buck in the round pen. Once you get him in the round pen without bucking you can start to think about his first ride. I forgot to mention that it would be a good idea to start adding weight to the saddle. Before you unsaddle him at the end of the lesson have him stand quietly and just lean over the back of him. if someone else could hold the lead line or if he ties well it will help to remind him to just stand After a few of those lessons you could start to just sit on the horse to let him get use to you. When you feel comfortable with him go for a ride in the round pen. We always have someone holding a line on the horse for the first ride. I think it reassures the horse that he is OK and I think keeps him from bucking on the first ride.
Cheers
Hi guys,
Thanks for the input. Yes next lesson will be in the roundpen so he can be sent off to have a buck if he chooses. Good idea Dennis about putting weight on before removing the saddle, i'll do that next time. He is used to me jumping up and down next to him on both sides, using his back to launch myself so i have played very basically with putting some weight on his back. Will try a bit of a lean on the saddle next lesson. I will also make sure i have someone to hold the line for that part...will try to get it videoed too :-)
Will keep you posted
Janelle
Hi Janlle
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Congratulations! Buster is so lucky to have found you :-D clearly you are doing a great job with him. I watched a couple of your videos and he is so attentive to you. That kind of willingness only comes with trust. He is going to be a great horse for you. Good on you :-D
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Kind regards,
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Gen xoxo
Well done Janelle that is great news. All the best with the next stage!
Thanks Gen and Maggie :-)
He is going super! I have seen some video's of his dad being started and he is showing the same calm nature...maybe he gets it from his dad! I am trying not to take for granted how easy it has been, making sure i don't get complacent is probably a better way to put it!
Janelle
Right on Janelle,
Well done....
Ronda
Hi Janelle,
When you come to sitting in the saddle and someone holding the line, please remember to have the end of the line through your training-ring of the dually, and NOT clipped on. So use the other end of your longline and feed it through the dually, so they can let go of the line easily. You don't want to be on the longline, should Buster try a buck or two. Let your leadingperson know how to send Buster forward, so you don't have to use your legs to make him move, in the first place. Later you can add a leg-cue to the process. No need to tell you to take all precautions and no risks!
This is so cool, you're doing great!
Miriam
Busters new pic looking good well done with the saddle you guys have a lovely relationship happening its so nice to be able to try new things and have them just turn arund for a sniff and they just get on with it beautful janelle!!!
Miriam, thanks for the tip with the line through the ring like that :-)
Unicorn, it is really nice to have a horse who is so calm and willing! My old TB used to go nuts if he was asked to anything new or go anywhere different. He would often try to rear up and if i was on him he would rear up and spin round on his back feet then try to bolt! Scary when you are on a road ride! This new one is like a breath of fresh air :-)
Janelle