[Ag-eq] Ponies!

Sat Mar 9 16:52:48 UTC 2013

Jody, if the instructor can work with you that would be great! I've been
doing some liberty/natural horsemanship fill in the blanks with my minis. I
don't tend to stick to any one method because some things work better for us
than others. It might be helpful to have someone giving you information
about what the horse is doing for the first while until you figure out what
things mean. 

One of the most important things in the beginning is to simply be with them.
If you are worried about being in the field with them even just hanging
outside the fence and reading a book, whatever you like. Horses spend a lot
of time just hanging out. They'll enjoy being with you with no expectations.
It really helps the bonding process. 

When you train, let them spend a bit of time in a place before you ask
anything of them. That really helps.

Just some thoughts. As I get wiser from working with Irene I'll pass it on.
Irene is amazing!

Michelle

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
nfoster at extremezone.com
Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2013 8:34 AM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Ponies!

Jody:

How very exciting; what a surprise!

What is the other horse like?

I don't want to put a damper on things, but please be careful with a young
untrained horse.  It sounds like he has a good start, but needs to work on
trust.  Some of it will be similar to dog training, which you already know.
It will just take a lot of time and patience.

Will the instructor be able to help you with the horses?

I know when I first got into horses it really helped to have experienced
people to help and advise.  The Clinton Anderson DVDs will be very helpful.

It sounds like you have the right idea about what items are necessary to get
started.

I use half 55 gallon barrels for water and to feed hay from.  I use rubber
feeders for their pellets and beet pulp.  I feed everything on ground level
since the horse's body is designed to eat that way.

Yes, lead ropes and halters are necessary.  I use light weight rope halters.
I just got them at the feed store.  You can buy them from Clinton Andrson
and other trainers, but they will cost more.  I use them for leading,
training and I leave them under the bridle when riding.

The first grooming tools I got were a metal curry comb, a large body brush,
which feels kind of like a broom, it is used to sweep off the loose hair.  I
also got a smaller, softer brush for the face and a comb for the mane and
tail.
 Oh, and a hoof pick is a must.  I have all kinds of things now, but these
are the ones I use most.

Worming is a little bit different in different areas.  It is so hot and dry
here, we don't have to worm as often.  You will have to do it more because
of the dampness.  You can buy wormers at feed stores and on line.  They are
quite reasonable from www.horse.com  I've seen the scheduled one, which
makes things easier.

Do you have feed stores or farm supply stores in your area?

You might be able to purchase hay directly from a grower or dealer, which
brings the price down.

Do you plan on putting shoes on the horses or keeping them barefoot?

Finding a good trimmer or farrier is very important.  It would also be a
good idea to find out about local vets, so if there is an emergency you know
who to call.  If you can afford to you might want to have a vet come and
look the horses over and give any needed vaccinations.  This way you will
already have a relationship if there is an emergency.

Will the lady deliver the horses and when are they coming?

I wish you the best and look forward to hearing all about them.  When my
friends get new horses I'm almost as excited as they are!

Nella

Quoting Jody Ianuzzi <jody at thewhitehats.com>:

> Hi all,
>
> I am so excited I could burst!  I went riding today for the first time 
> in 4 years.  I met a wonderful lady who is in her 70s.  As an 
> instructor she could care less that I can't see and my lesson with her 
> was fantastic.  We went on a trail ride so she could see how I ride.
>
> I commented that my 60th birthday was in two weeks and when I was 10 I 
> promised myself a palomino.  She said 'well, I have the palomino for 
> you.  I thought she was kidding!
>
> Well, we got back and she showed me a Palomino rescue she had.  He was 
> abandoned and animal control was going to put him down but he was too far
> away to shoot him.   She was called out and it took her 4 hours but she
> finally roped him.  He is halter and trailer trained but he is still 
> only 2 and he needs TLC and training.  She mentioned that he will only 
> go where his friend goes so I asked her how much for both of them.  
> They both had their Coggins last week and they have been wormed and 
> their hooves trimmed......She wanted $300 for BOTH!  We came home and 
> thought about it and I just called her to tell her we will take them.  
> She said 'happy birthday!'.
>
> Of course now I am trying to think of everything I need at once like 
> water and feed buckets, brushes, halters and lead ropes and I lot of 
> knowledge I don't have yet!  HELP!  What shots do they need?  What 
> worming do they need in a year?  Tom saw a package of yearly wormers 
> and their schedules to make it easy.  I have so many questions.  I 
> hope watching Clinton Anderson for years has paid off.
>
> JODY
>

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