Comments on: Bolting horse – who can help Judy?

By: Linda Aitken-Smith

Linda Aitken-Smith — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 11:37:10 +0000

Monty Roberts Join Up
Martin Clunes- Horsepower: part 3 video on You Tube
Have a look at other Monty Roberts Video’s, I think he is an Excellent Trainer.

By: David

David — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 04:11:52 +0000

I think Sylvia’s idea is the best. I have a 3 year feral Spanish mustang that was picked on by the young dominant mares in her herd, and she had never been trained, haltered or saddled until I joined her. Another good idea is to be very stern when you put the lead rope on. Stand still and do not flinch or panic, that scares the crap out of them when you move aggressive. Do it smoothly and approach him like he is a prince. Then take the end of the lead rope and run around the round pen in circles with him pulling him closer to you with the lead rope. Then stop quick with him close to you. Turn to him and look him close in the eye and say no body will hurt you as long as I’m here.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 16:49:09 +0000

I used to have same issues, not that extreme tho. All of the suggestions are excellent. My friend and I have taken to free-lunging in our outdoor arena, don’t have roundpen. They liked to go stand in a corner and we had to chase them out. Now we stand on opposite sides of arena and chase them out, keeping their feet moving. Rather large arena so it takes 2. Now we just stand in the middle and have got them moving out, no corners usually. I don’t know if it is coincidence but when we go to catch them in pasture they come right up to us. When in the arena and done with moving them around, they walk up to us in the middle and hang out with us loose. Alot of times we scratch their backs and whatever favorited places they have to be scratched. It took 4 yrs. to get this in MY head. My approach changed, the horse responded in kind.

By: val

val — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:12:09 +0000

OMG…..no drugs,chasing & other scare tactics that have been suggested., Sounds like you had him confined to a stall & now he is in an open field/paddock.Just be there in mind, body & spirit.
Go to the paddock for no particular reason…no bribes such as treats.No leads. You just need to bond with this God made wonderful horse. Try just walking around,read a book, sit on the ground..anything but chase him. Give him time to come to you.Take your time…what is the hurry ?
The mineral idea is good…missing in his diet. What & where do you feed him ? Do you have other horses ? Establish some routine when it comes to feed..bring them in their stalls for feed. Make sure you use grain that does not have GMO’s in it, such as modified genetically modified corn…this can have a major problem on digestion & behavior.
Let him become your buddy whilst establishing that you are the dominate one/alpha. Please do give this mustang his preordained dues…he is a mustang so treat him like one ! ! !
A rope tied to a halter is only asking for trouble..what if he gets caught up & has a serious injury ?
Be loving, thoughtful, patient,understanding…God gave you this wonderful animal to care for …so do so gently…will pay off BIG TIME.
Just let him to want to be with you…do not force yourself on him…it will come to bite you in the end & trying to force any animal into forced submission.Force against nature never works.

I do hope you do get the gist of love, patience, understanding,caring & positive relaxed attitude does wonders.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 21:42:39 +0000

In reply to Jules. Jules, Wanted to share how I feed all the other nutrients my mustangs need. I use Equi-lix by Sweetpro. It is everything they need to supplement hay or grass forage (except magnesium). It comes in a tub & I buy at a local store. Horse lick or chew the block like a salt lick. My mustangs are out 24/7 roaming pasture. They have free choice to the Equi-lix. To keep them moving in winter, I use plastic 55 gallon drums cut in half to make feeders (rough edges filed down and drilled holes). I tied the feeders to a tree or post strategically around the pasture & fill feeders every couple of days. Wisconsin winter has just set in. My mares will keep very warm by feeding at will and roaming around. It is a glorious site to see them in winter with nature keeping them warm, fluffy & contented!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 21:20:34 +0000

In reply to Jules. I purchase from United Equine on-line. Best price I found, free shipping and no sugars/starches as fillers. Mustangs should not have the extra sugars or starches that is added to much of equine feeds on the market.

By: Belinda Theart

Belinda Theart — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:08:46 +0000

I had same problem with my mare and did what sheila did. chase away and they wil want to come toe you. patience and now she only turns twice before standing stil to put halter on.

By: Christine Adams

Christine Adams — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:00:50 +0000

Unfortunately she got confused and frightened himself that time. You need to get him to trust you again. There is another way to join up which doesn’t involve chasing him around. You will need patience, but the rewards will be great. Go in to the paddock with or without his feed, and just be there don’t try to catch him. Just be still in mind and body, don’t think just be, once he can trust you and feel your stillness he will want to be with you. Don’t rush him don’t make demands read his body language and go with you gut feelings not what people tell you. This works because the horse wants to be with you, because you join as equals.

By: Jules

Jules — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 03:37:58 +0000

In reply to Lisa Williams.

I like the suggestions from Lisa Williams. I didn’t know about the magnesium. I will take care of that asap!
The part about working with nature with mustangs is dead on!
Thank you

By: Jules

Jules — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 03:29:35 +0000

Oh goodness! 🙁 Some suggestions will make him fear you. This is a breed that survives on instinct. Please be patient. If he is not shod, than leave the farrier for a later time. As long as he can have free range to get his 20 to 30 miles a day, than his hooves will be alright.5 to 10 acres will supply the right mileage.
I have a mustang that was caught in the wild at the age of 2 years old. It took me time to earn his trust. I would kneel on one knee or both knees and just let him sniff me. Than I would offer fresh apples or carrots cut up and toss them to him at first when he was close to me, than let him take them from my hand while I slowly reached and rubbed his neck or shoulder. Any place away from his head at first.
Please don’t chase him or drug him. In about 2 to 3 weeks of time, he will began to trust you. I spent time brushing and touching my mustang to earn his trust. Than I slowly reach for his halter and just rub his neck, than let go and continue to rub. If all you do is catch him or chase him, he will always see you as a predator and will never trust you.
My mustang runs to me most days. Other days he walks or trots to me. He loves my attention and enjoys a good brushing. With patience and love you will have a wonderful bond with an incredible breed!