Horse related - Got assigned my horses.

Kiara · Post by **Kiara** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:11 am

Okay, having just read the beginning of a thread below (regarding Hathling, Fledgling, etc. titles), I decided I don't wanna be an egg anymore - makes me feel like a newbie... and I do so hate being considered a newbie *pouts*. Anyways, yes, back on topic - don't want to be an egg. Need to post more. Hense, I thought I'd appeal to all the horsie people here for a little help regarding an upcoming equine related project I have to do. I also intend to try and do some more drawing again - but I have to track down a scanner first. (options -- appeal to ex to scan stuff I send him through the post; appeal to mother to scan stuff I send her (requires me teaching her to use the scanner, which prolly rules this option out completely); buy a new scanner (seems pointless since I have one at home) or go home for a weekend and carry my one from home back on the train with me... which is the most promising option but will take a month or two).

Anyways... back on horsie topic...

As part of my course we have to 'bring on' a youngster for a few weeks (7 - 10 ish; although we could continue with the youngster for the next two years if we wanted to), and I was wondering if anyone had any opinions or suggestions as to what are good tips or big no-nos or etc. Currently I don't know what age youngster I'll get (although my friend asked for a specific weanling, so unless there is a problem we will probably end up with a weanling) - I don't know exactly what they'll be expecting us to acheive either, but the basic manners and the like i expect. Picking up feet, standing nice and patiently, being taught that a rug isn't evil, etc.

So yeah, any tips anyone horise? We find our horse/what we have to do on Thursday, but it'd still be nice to start thinking about things we could do and how to do it. I'm not a complete newbie with training horses, but this is the first time I will be working on a youngster personally (and with only a friend for day to day 'help') as oppose to watching someone else do it - so I'd love opinions and comments and the like.

Also, anyone with tips on how NOT to get nervous would be good. We have to give an Oral presentation this module (instead of sit a written exam) and I am dreading it already. I screwed up the one we had last year and that was only 5% of the marks for that module - the one this time is 50%. (The other 50% is a presentation done with friends which I'm not to happy about either.)

Asha Wermyst · Post by **Asha Wermyst** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:14 am

Caffiene is good to not get nervous. Trust me.

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:22 am

Well, knowing what your specific assignment would be would help immensely but I've worked with unbroken horses before so feel free to ask questions as they arise. Main thing with a yearling is never to turn your back on them. Yearlings are still pretty much babies and they have no concept of personal space or of their size. If you let them they'll walk all over you, so ground manners should be the first thing you work on if they don't know them already. How to walk calmly beside you, stop when you do, turn when you do, etc. It's a battle if you end up with a strong-willed one, but very rewarding when they start to bond with you. Also a good idea to touch them all over as much as you can. Find out what they like in terms of scratches and use that to get them used to things they don't like. Be glad you have a partner for this! Doing it alone makes you wish you had six really really long flexible arms! *L*

Let me know when you get your assignment, I'd love to help you out if I can!

Oh...and caffeine is very very bad...makes me jittery and disoriented...just go with having a decent meal before hand (something that will be kind to a nervous stomach) and take deep breaths. Be prepared and remember that you know what you're talking about. The number one key to doing well on an oral exam is being confident and direct, make eye-contact as much as you can bear to and just generally let yourself exude a call, confident aura. Sounds so simple, doesn't it? *L*

Kiara · Post by **Kiara** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:04 am

hehe, yeah, that does make it sound easy. Nerves are my worest enemy though - but I'm working on them (I refuse to fail a third driving test because of stupid mistakes caused by nerves.)

Anyways, Xalia when I know more I'll tell you more. For now, assuming we get the Weanling Jen wants, he seems a very level headed well behaved friendly youngster (and his dam is probably the most well behaved mare on the yard) so hopefully he won't be a complete nightmare - but yes, we did some stuff with the weanlings (as a group) last year and I know what pigs they can be at times. Have also spent the last year disagreeimg with a couple of bolchy fell mares and a 3year old shire mare with absolutely no manors, so hopefully the added experience they gave will be a help.

</ramble>

Note for future: Getting Kiara started on horses is a bad idea!

jess d · Post by **jess d** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:06 pm

I don't know about the presentation part, but I have had to work with a yearling (though I think he was closer to two years) before. He had been handled some, but he was also terrified of water, so the hardest thing was getting him bathed. I had to work with him myself, which was fun considering how tall he was, almost 16 hands and not even two years old. I still don't know fully where he got his height, as I had met both his parents, his dad was a fairly small arab, and his mom was half-quarter horse/half-arab who was about 15.3, maybe. He was at least as tall as her when I was dealing with him.
But returning to the basic training part. I did have to train him in all the basic manners and stuff, so if you have any specific problems, I'll try to help you out; it has been a few years.

And I tend to ramble on about horses too!

Morel · Post by **Morel** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:07 pm

If you want to up your post number just hang around 'Ze Word Association Test' and 'the person underneath' threads in the Phorum.

I have no good advice about not getting nervous (or horses for that matter). Last singing tryout I went to I was so nervous I couldn't even hold my music sheet still. Took me nearly a week to recover too.
So ya, Xalia's advice sound like the best bet. Good luck!

Yakima · Post by **Yakima** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:42 pm

*winces* Yeah, raised Zeeny since he was born so I've been through it all. Thankfully, he's a sweetheart and once he was gelded a thrill (though he had his days). I'm proud to say I'm the one who trained him and no one else has worked with him for his training. (Save halter).

His half-brother...well, you want an exsample of what sitting on your butt watching TV instead of out playing with your horse (even if you don't really work on anything big) can do? Talk to my sister. That horse is VERY TALL boy (probably over my shoulders and I'm 5 ft 6 inches!). And his manners are terrible. She's realizing now that he won't be easy. Of course, 3 years are equivilant to the teen years for a horse...so I heard...

*admires her baby boy again...* Yeah, hee...

But, I suppose I can help if you need it. I've only trained one horse but at least it's something...

Katasev · Post by **Katasev** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:50 pm

actually, coffee or hot chocolate always helps me with that sort of thing. the nervousness, not horses. XD never had a horse. it's hot and it makes my vocal cords loose up so at least i'm not squeaking. XDD other than that... um... i can't help because i hate presenting things too. have something like a paper to hold, if you can, with some stuff written. even if you don't use it much having something in your hands and something to look at is helpful.

Post by **StarFyre** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:37 pm

One thing to remember when presenting is to hold still. Don't fidget. Don't play with your hair. Don't tap your foot or jingle change/keys/whatever's in your pocket. If you have to (and can't hold onto a paper or (better yet) a podium) clasp your hands behind your back except when you need to gesture. It's very distracting for the listeners and, I've noticed, tends to get you knocked points when you have to give a speech for a grade.

Also, practice your speech/presentation in front of a mirror, a full length mirror is best if you can find one. This gives you the opportunity to accustom yourself to the words, memorize it (fully or in part), and (if you have a full length mirror) take note of how you move and act while giving it. Even if you don't have a mirror, practice giving the speech like it was for an actual grade, so that you at least have it partially/fully memorized.

When giving your speech in front of the class - try to keep any movements you have to make smooth and controlled. Don't jerk around or twitch, and when you "make eye contact" scan your eyes slowly over the students (point there - don't aim everything at the instructor, focus on the main body of your audience, the other students). Present yourself well - stand straight, act like you know what you're talking about (and you should, especially if you're as in to horses as you seem! *grins*), and remember to breathe and talk clearly(not "hii'mgoingtotellyouabouthorsestoday*gaspingbreath*soletmebeginwith..."). That's where practicing the speech ahead of time helps. Find the rhythm in the words during your practice, and remember that rhythm while your giving the speech.

*eyes post* ... Well, I hope that helps, and that I don't come off sounding all... snobbish? *wince* Take what you want from that, most of that is based on my experience as a high schooler (and I'm still a senior) so... eh. Best of luck to you!

Kiara · Post by **Kiara** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 4:08 pm

Okay, Got assigned my horses now (two, not one, as I was expecting but anyways).

We have a Weanling colt named Sam, who is the one we were expecting. And we will be assigned his weanling 'buddy'. (The yard manager hasn't decided whether to pasture wean them or stable wean them). Weaning is being started on Tuesday afternoon, and I've promised to go along and help with it. Will find out then what other youngster we have, but it'll be a Weanling. If they pasture wean, we will have "Malibu" (a filly weanling), if they stable wean it will depend on what youngster they decide Sam gets on best with - which is liable to be "Shiraz" if so, or "Whinney" who are him and his dams current turn out buddies. (Shiraz is a Fell X Welsh, Whinney is pure fell... and both their mothers are total pains in the ass -- they share a Dad though, and he's an absolute star.)

Anyways, we definatedly have a pair of weanlings - and 8 weeks with them. Current ideas we have are working on teaching them to lead 'perfectly', teach them to pick up their feet without any fuss, maybe introduce loading, and we're also thinking about starting to get them used to things on their back, around their legs, etc...

Anyone who figures out what the theme for last years foal names gets a gold star, lol. (It's really not difficult, if you ignore Whinney, who was named outside the theme because she's already been sold.)

Yakima · Post by **Yakima** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:09 pm

When we started our babies leading (it was much earlier, however), you had a really long rope behind there butt that you held along with the rope that was on the halter (unless it's the same rope). If they bulk and try to go backward when you ask them to go forward as you would as a normal horse (which you always do first), you give steady preasure with the butt-rope which propels them forward. Make them take a step and reward them. Gradually ask for more steps and defiently reward them if they take a step without the butt-rope. Always ask the first way. The butt-rope is only there as an aid so you're trying to get them to lead without it.

Feet I don't remember but when you pick them up, my mom had us tap the bottom to get them ready for ferrier work. Zeeny and Stratus spent most of there summer one year in a trailer. They ate in there - got them use to being in the trailer. It was parked kinda between the railings so it was in the yard but they had constant access to it.

Sacking out, which is what you last said, is really good. Start with a blanket - let them sniff it and rub it all over them - then take it away and come back. Gradually get to the point of putting in on there back. Lead them around with it, pull it off and let if fall (expect them to jump, of course), to the ground. Anouther good thing is plastic bags, paper bags, any thing that makes noise when you do stuff with it.

And being that they're still babies, remember to keep lessons rather short. If they're getting antsy and annoyed it's probably because they're getting sick of this. Being that babies have short attention spans, that's not a bad thing. Just be slow and pacient and make sure to spoil them - it worked for Zeeny after all! (LOL)

Anything Xalia says is probably, good, too. My mom trained horses and everything I know I've learned from her. Hope that helps!

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:56 am

Hey, Kiara, do you have your babies yet? Keep us informed and let me know if I can help any...

Everything Yakima said sounds good, the only thing I'd add is that when working with their feet try to stretch their legs out and pull on them a bit to get them used to all the contortions the farrier asks for. Also, try getting them used to holding their foot up for longer and longer periods of time. The farrier will love you if you teach them that early!

Hope it's going well so far!

Kiara · Post by **Kiara** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:13 pm

Thank you both for your advice, Xalia and Yakima, (Xalia, I wouldn't have thought of stretching their legs and stuff, thanks

).

Anyways, We officially have Sam and Malibu now - and we started Weanign today. We're pasture weaning and took away the first to mums today (malibu's and anothers), and then we're taking away Sam's stmorrow, and then removing two more the next day, and then moving all the weanlings into the barn on friday (using the last mum as a "leader/guide/thing" before we pull her away too.)

It was funny, Malibu and Archer didn't notice their mums had gone for like half an hour (Malibu spent much of that by the gate with us and the assistant yard manager getting her bum scratched), and when they did notice Archer didn't bat and eyelid, just carrier on grazing... (Malibu did a few laps of the fields then settled again).

The Mares /left/ (not the two taken away), were more fussed then anything else!

Anyways, one thing, Malibu's a little reluctant to have her ears touched (which is something we obviously have to work on), any suggestions? Obviously we'll just have to keep doing it now and then to get her used to it, and praise her when she does it, but anything else you can suggest either of you?

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:35 pm

With any horse that has a sensitive spot that they don't want touched the easiest thing to do (and be glad you have a partner!) is to find their sweet spot and distract them with it while you touch the spot they don't want touched. So find Malibu's sweet spot (most fillies like their withers or tail/rump area scratched, but try everywhere if those don't work, a guaranteed sweet spot for almost any horse is where the neck meets the shoulder, because they have difficulty scratching themself there...I'm working with a young mare now that /loves/ to have her chest and girth area scratched so whatever gets her lips going and gets her leaning on you while you're grooming her should work just fine) and while one of you scratches that until your arms want to fall off, have the other person gently working toward touching her ears. I'd do it gradually at first, just work on the base of the ears, with more pressure on the head than the ears and if she stays relaxed or shows no sign of having her sweet spot enjoyment lessened then start moving up the ear, just on the outside. If you do this a little bit every day for as long as you're working with her gradually increasing the pressure and then working on touching the inside of her ears as well, you'll end up with a horse who associates ear-rubbing with her sweet spot and will actually moderately enjoy having people mess with her ears. Which will set you up well for teaching her to clip later.

Oh! Another good point! Get them used to the sound and feel of clippers! I know too many horses that go ballistic when they hear the gentle hum of a pair of clippers, which makes showing them difficult because they need to have at least a bridle path and a clean-shaven muzzle if they're going to show. Turn on the clippers and let them just listen to them at first. If they stay relaxed start getting them used to the vibration of the clippers by rubbing a flat part against their shoulder and neck (don't actually try to clip them, just place the side of the clippers against them so they get used to it at this stage), gradually working it up toward the ears as they get used to it, and do the same for down toward the feet (VERY hard place to train them to get used to because they'll probably start dancing when they feel the vibrations on their legs, just be patient and praise them to high heaven when they keep their legs still and even more when they start to relax) and the same for over the rump and around the tail.

And you're welcome...I teach and train dressage which requires the horse to use their body to their full ability...when teaching some movements you /have/ to stretch your horse, which you can do from the saddle but works so much easier if you can do it from the ground too if you can get those babies used to be stretched now they'll be in good shape later and if you're lucky you'll rarely have to use a chiropractor because you can stretch them out yourself. Not to mention growing babies need to stretch so their muscles don't get sore while they're developing!

Shard · Post by **Shard** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:53 pm

I think I want you to write my entire Zekiran steed chapter.

Because we've now got 3 people exposed to horses on a really regular basis, if you don't mind I may occasionally tap into your expertise for stuff like my steed info.

Design me some tack for riding flying horses that does not involve clipping, bits (they don't use em) or breaking the wings.... heh. That's been my challenge for years. Different wing types require different saddle arrangements - all soft saddles by the way.

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:08 pm

Sounds fun! Feel free to pick my brain anytime, Shard!

And if you've got pictures of the steeds it shouldn't be too hard to design a saddle to accomodate the wings...right? Heh...

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:18 pm

How goes the training, Kiara?

Kiara · Post by **Kiara** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:52 pm

I was meaning to let you know, kept forgetting anytime I got on the PC though, lol. Anyways.

We've had our babies (who get refered to as such regually) just over a week now - since they've been weaned and avaliable for us to work with anyways. And things are going okay. Malibu is a stuborn little filly, and we've been having some "you are going to stand still" arguements with her but we were seeing some improvement with her the last few days (today she was a total nightmare, and spent most of the time refusing to lead nicely (ie. dancing away and then pulling you along etc.) but I think I got through to her in the end and she was behaving herself more by the time we put her away. (She doesn't like drains, or puddles - but she's getting better).

Sam, on the otherhand, /was/ as sweet as anything and was turning into a little star. Her was walking nicely, and standing when asked (and not misbehaving for a good few minutes - unlike malibu who kicks up a fuss after half a second). However, he went and leaped over barn door yesterday and got his foot caught down the side of the barn door and the barn wall. Of course he then couldn't get his foot free and so was pulling it until someone spotted him (it was a matter of minutes most). He'd cut his leg down to the bone, but the Vet came and he hasn't broken his leg or damaged any tendons so hopefully he should make a full recovery. It puts him out of action for our youngstock module so we've been given another weanling to 'bring on' instead. Tia.

Tia (full name Tiazano - Tia Maria combined with some other drink I don't remember), we took out for the first time today and she seems to know the basics quite well. She was the first foal last year (early Feb) so is quite big now. She was leading well today, and standing happily for a good few minutes (before we moved on, because we'd acheived what we wanted to and didn't want to bore her). She was dodging some drains and walking over others quite happily... Likewise, she was walking through some puddles but not others.... Really inconsistant horse. lol. But she seems good enough, we were worried that we'd have to catch up a week, but I think she's going to be working ahead of Malibu.

All three have dealt with walking past tracters, trailers, big-bright-green poopicking machines, and other assorted hazards. All stationary, except for one tractor that we lead Tia past earlier which was running. Our aims for the next week or so are to get them on the weigh bridge (which they have done as foals, but they haven't done for a while, so we need to remind them) and just continuing with everything we've done so far.

EDIT: And all three stand while being groomed/having feet picked out, and I have been tossing lead ropes over their backs, round their legs, etc. all week.

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:20 pm

Sounds like you've got your hands full but are doing well! It's a lot easier when you actually start /doing/ it than it seemed when you were just thinking about it, huh?

Kiara · Post by **Kiara** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:01 pm

Bah.

Update since like, the day before yesterday.

Malibu has gotten intolorable bad at standing, so any improvement we seemed to have been making wasn't improvement. She's now refusing to stand still, pushing her handler around with her head, shifting into them, walking forwards/backwards, attempting to bite -- you name it, she's been trying it to get out of standing. We tempted her with some food yesterday though, to distract her and try teaching her that way, and she got the idea and was standing with and without being given a reward by the end of the time (although if we asked her too many times without she'd start playing about again - so we are going to have to work on it.) Today she was better, but not brilliant. It was very windy though, and all the weanlings (even the usually unflapable Archer) were skittish.

Tia was fine y'day, but a pain today. She walked and stood nicely when asked for a bit, then point blank refused to go past a red horselorry thing we have (she'd been past it once, and hadn't batted an eyelid even though she'd never seen it before) She went past it eventually, but only because she saw the others in the yard beyond it -- she was rushing to keep up with them, and calling when they weren't in sight. Nuisence. I don't blame her so much, since it's reasonable behavour I suppose (because she is living on her own atm, because she was weaned later with another foal who she fought with so had to be seperated from.... and trying to introduce her to the others is what led to Sam's mad jump...)

But anyways, it's up and down. But I guess we're making slow progress.

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:31 pm

At least you are making progress! And remember, they're babies so you can't push them too far too fast!