Comments on: Heavy hands, dirty water buckets and nasty stalls

By: Joy tyler

Joy tyler — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 02:45:29 +0000

I don’t like dirty stables or dirty buckets I have automatic wateres but I dislike dirty float floors even more I put shavings in our Float it absorbed the Urine @ Manure I notice at Shows a lot of people have dirty floors which r very dangerous I wrote 4 the Aust Quarter Horse Magazine 4 quite a few years @ did an article on this it was amazIng how many people had stories of horses going through the floor of the Float so yes dirty buckets buckets @ stables r bad I think people should keep Floats clean
Love the articles Joy Tyler N S W 😳

By: Don whaley

Don whaley — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 23:14:23 +0000

your always learning about your horse and his training.just dont forget to use patiants and love.

By: Isis

Isis — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 21:47:31 +0000

I love reading the info and posts on this site! I too am a horse lover as well as a dog lover. I understand this site is about horses however I feel Windy’s advice pertains to our other pets as well such as dogs. People don’t do the research on the breed as far as disposition, care, shelter, food, water, fencing, housing etc. This is the main reason our shelters are filled with lost and unwanted pets…just thought I’d share… 🙄

By: FranR

FranR — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 20:01:26 +0000

Hi to all.
I’ve been around horses on and off all my life. They are truly God’s gift to men. However, each horse has their own personality and traits.The five points are very true. My tb was the Open Jumper champ for 5 years running- the biggest baby on the face of the earth. He was not nervous or flighty-all he wanted was his people around him and to be loved. at 17.2 hands, it was an impressive ride every time.when he died , i walked away from horses-it was too painful to even look at them.
This all changed in 2000.I died 3x in feb 0f that year-no reason could be found-so the Drs put a difibulator in my chest a Afew months later, I came across a red chestnut gelding with a lot of attitude and issues! One look into his eyes and I was hooked. It took almost 1 year to undo the bad habits he picked up from strong arm, dominating men who thought they could bully cheyene to obey .RIGHT!!
I’ve had him now for 14 years-we are partners-we have blended into one unit. I get my strength from him-he takes care of me in ways I cannot believe. The whole point being-until you learn to put yourself into their point of view- you can never achieve true blending. He was proud cut only 3 mos prior to my purchase of him. he is a Morgan of the old bloodline-a Lippett. He has all the mannerisms of a full stallion but not the vices. he is free 24/7-365.-he is the “herd boss”,
His last herd was 30 rescue horses. He is totally attune to people and loves their attention. I thank God every day that he came into my life.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 19:45:50 +0000

I believe Julia was letting us in on a lovely story about how her husband is coming on with his horse. I am sure she is fully aware of carrots.
I own an exracer and we have had our ups and downs, finding the correct feed keeping him off fizzy feeds and no shoes. He is a wonderful and powerful and stubborn boy and likes to push, but never once has he tried to hurt me. He does listen to my voice and when raised has this hurt look on his face. I will only now and again smack him with my hand on his shoulder (I am 52 years and my smack wouldnt hurt a fly), the sound shocks him more as I said I dont do it often, but he will turn to look at me as if to say “what the hell” and will immediately follow my instruction. He is with me for life and I do research a lot reading about different behaviours and looking for more ways for the both of us to grow together and learn together. He is my first horse. I do understand there are those out there that know things but often are so fixed in their ways will not bother to open their minds and I have come across so many that have said race horses cannot go barefoot or bitless….
I will do what is right for my boy and will watch how he reacts and listen to him.

By: David

David — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 20:59:36 +0000

In reply to Julie Davis. You REALLY need to stop with the carrots. Keep in mind carrots are a high source of sugar and sugar can make a horse super hyper and sick. The beta-carotene and calcium in carrots are good. Try two carrots a day.

By: Karen Sherwin

Karen Sherwin — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 19:12:34 +0000

Thank you and you are so right. I have a old arab mare mix and a gelding mustang who is the attention getter although they get along and I have a open stall door policy 24/7 too I do separate them at night because he can get overpowering as the leader at night and it gives her peace and quiet. They can see each other and it keeps the stalls cleaner and separates them for night feeding. Although I grew up with horses it’s different when you can turn them out on a 27 acre pasture and they take care of themselves. I’ve had to relearn for them and they are really well trained just through repetition and knowing what to expect. It all works together.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:39:52 +0000

I have trained horses most of my life. I would like to weigh in on the bit issue as, like everything in life, there are many factors involved.

The most important thing is in YOUR HANDS. I have always ridden with a snaffle. If you start your horse in a small controlled area, you can bring them along rather quickly. The reason a horse gives to the bit is for the release. When you start training with the bit, just take up mild pressure on which ever side (always do the same thing, the same number of times on both sides. A horses brain is divided, so what you do on one side, has to be “trained” on the other side also.

When you start, take the slack out of the left or right rein and apply mild pressure. Make sure the horse has adequate room to turn in that direction. Just hold that pressure until the horse gives in direction. IMMEDIATELY, release the pressure. Horses are different so it can take many times on one side until you start getting the right amount of give from your horse. Mix it up from one side to the other. In starting out, I would recommend a5 to 20 times on one side & then the other. Your horse will start giving to the bit quicker and quicker, as long as you give the Immediate release as soon as he gives. With patience and CONSISTENCY, your horse will get lighter and lighter. Never increase the pressure to get what you want. Heavy pressure makes the horse want to lean into it to protect it’s mouth. I know this is long, but it’s important. If you stay with it, your horse will get to the point that you can just barely make contact with the mouth and they will give in that direction. You do not have to be heavy handed on the bit. Horses that have had heavy handed riders or severe bits used on them, may be more of a challenge, but can be brought around with patience.

Consistency is extremely important when starting any new activity. A horse is just guessing when we ask them to do something. When you get the right response, praise them, stroke their head/neck, depending on what you are in position to do. Stroke, do not pat, it is an unnatural thing to a horse. Nothing in nature pats them. Other horses, the mare, etc. nuzzle in a more of a stroking motion. When you praise the right thing & ignore the errors, they will soon start picking up on what you are trying to teach.

Another thing that most people are not aware of, let me explain. When you ask for the give with the rein, the timing is very important. You want to practice getting in rhythm with the movement of the front legs. Just ride around for a bit and mentally do so – as in when the left foot comes off the ground, think left, left, etc. then also on the right side. It should just become automatic. Then when you cue the horse to give to the right rein, you do it as the left foot comes off the ground. The horse can then easily give to the bit, bring the left foot across in front of the right foot (which is still on the ground) and move into the turn. Do just the opposite for a left turn, as the right foot comes off the ground.
If you cue for a right turn as the left foot is coming down, the horse is way out of position. He cannot change where the left foot is going to land & you are asking him to go right, he really has to take another 2 steps (one w/the right foot & then w/the left to start bringing it across into the turn. Horses that are quite athletic can compensate somewhat, by starting the turn with the right foot – if you are asking when the left foot is landing, but it is still quite awkward for them. Get these things into your head and it will make things much easier for you and the horse. When you start putting the horses needs and requirements first, your horse will notice and try harder to please. Your horse doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

That doesn’t mean that you try to baby them (ladies). Many of you over do try to just love them through what ever you want, especially in the beginning. You need to treat them as a horse, as a student. Praise the right response, work through the errors without a scene, i.e. yelling, whacking, etc. The calmer you are correcting errors, consistent, etc. the more the horse will realize he doesn’t have to protect himself. He can relax and start cooperating to learn.
Hope this helps – enjoy.

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 17:19:27 +0000

Such good advice. Thanks. I remember going to a nearby horse farm where TW were raised and sold. The their barn was awful. Horses standing in mud and trying to find a dry spot. The owner (a doctor) could afford much better but didn’t care. Told us some horror story that he thought was funny. That was several years ago and I’ve never forgotten those poor horses. Opened my eyes to how some people think of their horses – no care – all about how much money they can get out of them. So sad. Needless to say, we didn’t buy one, but wanted to buy them all just to give them a real home. Let’s learn how to care for these beautiful babies and no carrots please.

By: Heidi C

Heidi C — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 16:12:37 +0000

Thank you Windy for your helpful advice. I have owned my first horse as an adult for 5 years and can not believe how much I have learned. I like the thougth “we are all trainer’s” that is what stuck with me. It is so true!