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Post by Christina on Mar 25, 2003 19:27:23 GMT -5
We'll just keep trying till I find something that works! It was probably even funnier to watch me "stalking"him with the tub. I'd bring him up to the tub, he'd stand still, I'd try to get a leg up, he'd move. I'd get down, wrangle the tub over. Get up, repeat. Down, repeat. Up, repeat. This was after I realized that it wasnt working leading him up to the tub, having him back up or pivot or go forward, or just move sideways. So I decided to stalk him. And you know what? He just stood there waiting for me. He would even wait for me to check the durn thing for balance, then I'd crawl up, check for balance again rocking it back and forth with my feet, giving it a couple of good pounds with my hand, while he waited patiently, (do NOT want it flipping again) and then as I'd try to get on - whoops! A couple steps away where I couldnt get on! I'm not kidding, it took me a long time. That tub is heavy, I can't carry it, so I have to move first one side then the other. I put it down at one point, breathing heavy, and the stinker very gently gave me little lip kisses on my head and then rested his head on my chest with his eyes 1/2 closed. Then I got back on the tub, got a good hold of him, start to get my leg up, and he moved. As I relate this little experience...I am actually laughing to myself, because it had to have looked hilarious. At the time, it wasnt funny though. I really had to go to the bathroom.
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Post by Vida on Mar 25, 2003 21:07:51 GMT -5
Hee hee, glad you're ok after your mounting mishap. I use treats as well after I'm in the saddle while they're still standing. For the ottb's, I have another person there for the first couple of times plying them with carrots while they just stand there. Like someone else suggested, if treats aren't working, making them move might. But make them move with a passion - fast and hard. When I saddle, trim feet, groom or whatever, my horses aren't tied at all. The reason they stay is because if they move off, they get worked hard - ie. chased like crazy until they're begging to stop! Just be careful to let them get away enough before you start this so that they don't learn to jump away really quickly or throw out a kick. For example, if they're not standing and go to move, I let them move off enough so they're about 2 horse lengths away from me and then I start the chase (the premise being if you leave my space, you work your butt off). Another thing that works well is after you get on and then they stand, praise or treat and then get off immediately. Even if they take a couple of steps, wait until they've stopped and stood nicely for about 3 seconds or so, then praise/treat and get off. You can get back on and off lots of times but make sure they realize that when they stand quietly, they get a nice reward which is a treat/praise and a dismount. You can also teach the vocal command 'stand' from the ground with treats which should transfer easily to under saddle.
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Post by Shelby on Mar 25, 2003 21:18:43 GMT -5
I agree with the majority here - food! It helps Count when I do ground work with him, but as I have stated before, it only works with me - he's getting to the point that he only wants treats from ME, he won't take them from anyone else!!! Is he too obssessed with me, or too bonded, or what?  ?? |
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Post by relativecolor on Mar 26, 2003 22:01:15 GMT -5
There are times when I have a split second decision - I can try and stay on or fall off. Sometimes I just fall. Which you can probably tell I do b/c I just go limp.
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Post by Linda on Mar 27, 2003 14:14:32 GMT -5
Only a couple things to add. When you do get on--reward and immediately get back off again. I know, you wanted to go on a 20-mile ride.... You want the horse to say, "Oh, THAT is all she wanted..." Get on and off a whole bunch--from both sides. You don't want the horse to associate your getting on with hard work. I too find that a little treat after you are on and settled works wonders for having the horse stand motionless--no matter what.
All horses need to get used to people changing shape. When you lead them, suddenly crouch down. Jump off a fence and crouch on the ground. Roll around. Crawl under them. Bounce big soft beach balls around them. Put pads on them and lead them around, letting the pads fall off. Reward when the horse comes back to sniff the pad. You don't want a horse to panic and go into defensive mode when a person "changes shape". Remember, all too often that change comes when you fall off and land under them. You want them to just look at you and say, "Oh, you again...." We all try to avoid falling under the horse, but, you know, it happens. And when it happens, you want the horse not to be afraid.
Linda
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Post by niaru on Mar 27, 2003 17:17:17 GMT -5
Charm stood like a rock for me to get on today. What did I do differently? I mounted from the right side ;D
She wouldn't go near the mounting block, so I backed her up to it, and she was positioned the 'wrong' way...and it worked!
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