[Ag-eq] Jody's horses

[nfoster at extremezone.com]

Jewel:

Yes, I've been putting his treats in paper and plastic bags, he loves oranges,
what a silly boy!

If he sees me with the bag, he does pretty good and will even let me rub it on
his face, neck and shoulders, but gets nervous when I try to rub further back
on his body.  Once a plastic bag blew into the paddock and blew behind him.  He
gave a giant both back legs kick to get rid of it.  Then he took off, snorting.
When I went to get the bag he did come up and sniff it, but was still snorting.

When I use the fly spray he's fine with his tail and hind quarters, but gets
nervous the closer I get to his head.  He's a little head shy, but has gotten
so much better.

  Before I got him he was injured in a horse trailer and the left side of his
face is parcially paralyzed.  The people I got him from started riding him
before he was completely healed and I suspect they were using a harsh bit.  He
started rearing and they were afraid and stopped riding him.  My boyfriend rode
him for a while and then we sent him to a trainer.  She says that his true
nature is to be kind, but he got hurt and started acting out of fear.  He has a
very sensetive mouth and I can only use a light, half cheek snaffle bit with
him.  He hasn't reared in over a year, but I think he would if someone pulled
on his mouth to hard.

I've learned so much from this horse; he's an amazing animal.  He's been through
so much and is still capable of love.  He's really calmed down and has gotten so
reliable under saddle.  I'm a rather timid rider and it takes me a long time to
bond with a new horse or mule.  I also have fibromyalgia and physically can't do
all the things I used to.  My joints are stiff and achy, and I'm frequently weak
and dizzy.  Cruiser seems to know when I'm having a bad day and goes slowly and
behaves himself.  When I'm feeling good he's happy to go fast and make quick
turns and such.  I think that Cruiser and I were just met to be together.

Nella


Quoting Jewel <jewelblanch at kinect.co.nz>:

> Nella!  Horses can be trained, very effectively, with click and treat just as
> dogs can be.  Panda,
> Anne Edie's guide horse was trained, exclusively, with c&t.
>
> Put his favourite nibble:  pieces of carrot, apple, dates or what-have-you
> into a paper or plastic
> bag and make sure that in getting his treat out, the bag makes plenty of
> crinkle sounds.
>
>        Jewel
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: <nfoster at extremezone.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 12:50 AM
> To: <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Ag-eq] Jody's horses
>
>
> hi Jody:
>
> How are your horses settling in and what sort of adventures are you having
> with
> them?
>
> I haven't ridden my poor horse in almost a month, we've just done a little
> ground work.  I'm trying to get him used to the sound of paper and plastic;
> he
> doesn't like either one and will spook at the sound.  He also doesn't like
> fly
> spray, so we are working on that too.
>
> He has learned how to open almost every gate on the property, so now all the
> gates have clips on them.  He's a very clever boy and I'm sure he's trying to
> figure out how to get into the house.
>
> On Sunday I will do another group lesson with him.  I'm sure we will work on
> smooth turns and transitioning between his gaits.  I've got to start riding
> him
> more, he's getting a little chubby and out of shape!
>
> I look forward to hearing more about your ponies.
>
> Nella
>
>
>
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