Hi, I have had horses for a number of years and have decided to take the exciting step of having youngsters to start from the very beginning. I have 2 weanling fillies who have never been touched. They are very nervous and jump at the slightest thing. They are in a large barn with free roaming outside. I have just been working round them and then spending a few hours sitting in with them, They have been a little curious with a gentle sniff but as soon as I make a slight move, they run. I wanted to know if I am better off just carrying on doing this and wait for them to approach us, or try join up. I can't get near them to halter. I really want to get this right.
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Hi Karen,
You have made the right steps, to begin with.
What you could do now is to get them in a smaller enclosure, something like the "mustangchute" Monty has, and start to approach them slowly, always making sure, they have an "escape". This means that you should never corner one of them, so that it feels trapped. Once you can touch a shoulder, walk away! Come back and touch again, maybe a second longer, and walk away. Let the filly teach you to walk away when it stands still to be touched. This way you show you're not a predator. Be very slow in your movements, breathe calmly and move on from one goal to the next. Once they accept your hand on their shoulder, neck and back, start bringing in a soft leadrope and start touching them with that.
Before you know it, you can put a halter on!
Horses need to desensitize to survive, so if you show them that you do no harm, you can "raise the bar" quite soon.
Let us know how you're doing on this wonderful adventure!
Miriam
Thanks for that. Am i better working one at a time keeping them in sight of each other or keeping them together. I want to make it as little stress as I can for them.
Hi, just to let you know I spent a little bit of time with them one on one yesterday and did as you said. I sarted off with a long schooling whip as an extension to my arm and just a quick rub with the end on their shoulders and the slightly braver one I could qive her a quick rub and walk away within about 10 mins and left it at that. The other one who is a bit more skitty took a bit more and as soon as I could touch her I left it at that. My daughter and I were so excited, its funny how something so small can just make your day. I know we have have a long set of sessions ahead, but little baby steps are so rewarding!
Hi Karen,
Good for you and your daughter, that you're taking your time with the weanlings and enjoy every step! In my opinion there is no reason to separate them at this point, you're not yet planning any individual schooling. Just let them get used to being touched, haltered and led, and see there is nothing to be scared about. Sometimes you can touch the more timid one by making your arm longer over the back of the braver one. But let them show you at what pace to go, you'll be surprised at how fast things can develop once they trust....
Keep us posted!
Miriam
When my yearling was delivered, he acted like a completely wild horse that had never been handled. It helped that I had him in a small paddock with my other two ponies. He watched them come over to me to be stroked, caught and groomed etc. I think this helped a lot in building his confidence and realising I was not a threat. The other horses were able to show him they were not afraid and his curiosity got the better of him. As soon as I could get him to follow the "herd" into a smaller yard, I did join-up. I was then patting him all over within 3days.
However, it took a few weeks before he would stop over re-acting to things bumping him on his legs etc.
I'm on him in the pic!
Wow Karen!! How exciting!
Howzit going?
And Jenny - thats cool on the progress your making. Your weanling is Gorgeous! How old is he?
Thanks
Charlotte
Gauteng, South Africa
Hi Jenny, thanks for that, your boy is lovely! Hi Charlotte. My girls are coming along slowly, the more confident one I can rub her nearly all over, we are working on and around her face and gradually trying to introduce a piece of rope so hopefully we can get a halter on her before too long. She isn't very impressed with it and pulls her ears back when she is unsure and flicks them forward again, it's lovely to see her working things out. The other one is taking much more time, but if I just take it really slow she will let me fuss her all over aswell. The strange thing I have really noticed is that they will both tolerate me really close and all round them when I am bending down cleaning the barn out round them, if I have my head right down and ignoring them. An amazing way to emphasise the effect of the body posture. They are teaching me so much!!!!!!
Thats wonderful Karen :D
Yes - horses are FANTASTIC teachers!
The main thing mine teaches me is to be patient (LOL) - she just don't do nothin' if i dont ask her with a tone and gesture of patience, and if i get really mad with her i just gotta get over it and carry on!
:D
A little update on my babies, I have managed to get the halters on them and they are doing really well. I was so rewarded this week as they had managed to get out of the coral and off the yard. I spotted them standing beside the drive, quite scary as we live in Saskatchewan, Canada where we have thousands of acres of open farmland all round us. Well I got out of the car and called them and they came running over to me with such a look of relief and followed me in. I did have a panic moment when I thought if they run the other way, I have no chance of catching them, especially with 2ft of snow everywhere!! Luckily a happy ending with 2 shell shocked ponies.
That is always a relief. Good luck!
Hi Karen,
So good to see you're doing well with these liitle girls!
This was the proof of their trust in you, they accepted you as their leading-mare.
Good job!
Please keep us posted,
Miriam
Yes, great work Karen - I have enjoyed reading all these comments. Keep the progress going!
Another update on my girls. After months of steady work and preparation using the lessons, my girls had the farrier for the first time today. They took it all in their stride and were very relaxed. I am so greatfull for the lessons on the site and reading other posts. Thank you
What a great outcome Karen, congratulations :-)