I recently started leasing a horse from someone that has multiple horses and rescues race horses. She is a very nice person and she loves her horses very much. She uses traditional methods with her horses but she really doesn't do much with them. Not all will walk on a lead rope, none can be ridden and a few are rather unruly. She just doesn't have the time to work with them. The one I started to lease used to be a jumper. She was reported to 'need some work'. It turns out she'e a very sweet horse and learns very quickly. I told this person from the get go that I've studied Monty Robert's ways for years and I used to naturally do these things as a child; I can't remember my first ride I was so young and I must have picked up equus somewhat on my own. Now I've never had the opportunity to put the books and videos of Monty's into practice but I understand it well and I know it's the correct way.
The point of my post though is that I think I'm in the wrong environment to do this. She has one horse that likes to bite if anyone comes near when it's eating. I took this little rescue horse out and attempted join up and walked her on a lead. I started to think she was orphaned and didn't live with other horses. Come to find out she was raised with cattle. So a few nights later I went directly in her stall while she was eating. She pinned her ears back flat but I just stood calmly and square to her. She, after only a couple of minutes, started to relax. I then started to touch her, massage her and then brushed her. No problems, no aggression. I thought it felt good and I had done well. When I told the owner, she said she disagreed and that I should leave them alone when they're eating because it's their enjoyment time. She likened it to me coming in her house when she's eating a nice lobster dinner and petting her hair. I feel like she's humanizing the horses and I don't agree that horses see food as a reward. What if this horse is being ridden some day and comes across some food? Will it start to bite and will it be okay with her? One other thing. I was so excited to get my first Dually Halter and right away I tried it out on my lease horse. She did great. Within 5 or 10 minutes she had drasticly improved her lead rope behaviour. When the owner saw my halter she questioned it's use and then insisted it was too tight. She wanted me to loosen it so that it was dangling and ineffective. She said halters are meant to be loose. As soon as we did the horse beame aggitated and the halter was useless. She blamed the halter for irritating the horse. She said if I tried her regular and loose halter I would see that she's not irritated. She said she could see in the horses eyes that she was irritated. I'll probably post again about my problems with join up but I'll save that for later. I would like to find someone who is willing to let me work with their horse. I would also love to find someone local, that uses Monty's ways, to help me. I live in Palm City Florida. Again, this person is very kind and her heart is full of love for horses. I'm only writing to get advice, not to bash her. Thank you.
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culprenski I can relate to how you are feeling. A few little notes. Feed time is horses time alone. (See Q&A Sep 14.11 Horses that pin their ears back at feeding time.) Monty says "If a horse should own any part of the day, it’s when they’re eating. When you feed a horse, leave them alone." You should read it for the rest to understand what all he says about that. I have a horse that will kick when you get around them and their feed but I just leave them alone.
All I can say for you to do is have your friend watch you work a horse from join up to the end. Show her what you can do with join up then show her what you can do with the halter.
culpreski, christenrosehorses is absolutely correct in all the advice given.
Once you read this post by Monty you'll understand the food issue.
Also if you click on one of the posts on the UNI you will find all the worldwide instructors and perhaps there is one near you.
Have a good day,
Ronda
Thank you Christen and Ronda. I'll read this and I'll change my view I'm sure. See I love to ask around when I disagree about something and to find out that I'm wrong is good too. After all it's easier to change my mind and have an agreement than to change someone else's mind. I'm going to look for a local instructor. As for the join up its a work in progress. I'm working in bigger oval shaped pens and theres a lot of distraction for the horses. I know I just need to keep working on myself and maybe try a few new things. My horse just runs to the gate then turns or looses interest. I think she's not taking me seriously. I've gone over the videos many times. I understand the language. I just need to work on my pronunciation and fluency so to speak. Anyway, I'll keep you updated.
Thanks again,
Timothy Culp
Timothy
I think it is great that you are willing to take on a horse that is not your own. I do agree that you alway leave the horse along when they are eating. If I have my horse is a stall and want to get him out I approach very carefully and slowly allowing him to find the area in the stall that he is comfortable in standing and letting me handle him. I have had my horse for almost eight years and he will do just about anything that I ask, but I still am very careful when entering his stall.
As far as training in an oval pen, it sounds like the horse can see out and is distracted by other things. A round pen is the ideal place and it should be closed so the horse cannot see out and become distracted. If that is not possible you could try blinders on him, but my guess is the owner would have something negative to say. As far as adjusting the dually you probably had it adjusted correctly, but the owner does not understand the concept of the halter. I also don't want a halter that is too loose. I have my horse pull out of his halter once when I did not have it adjusted correctly. Fortunately he just stood there and let me put it back on him, while he gave me a dirty look!
You may be able to talk with the owner about the use of the dually halter and show her as much information as you can. If she still says no then move on and find a situation that you can work with. Good luck
Cheers
Thanks Dennis. I think overall between her unwillingness to let me practice
and the less than ideal situation for a first timer, I'll probably move on. I'd rather before there's any problems. I appreciate your advice.
Timothy
Sounds sensible Timothy - it is very hard working with someone else's horses and the more they love their horses the harder it is! Sounds as if this owner is quite set in her ways and not willing to have new methods attempted with her horses. Good luck with finding a more suitable and compatable environment.