[Ag-eq] Questions about Barns and Minis

[nfoster at extremezone.com]

Michelle:

Sorry about Rosebud, I hope it's nothing serious.  Does she seem healthy other
than the runny poop?

As for the rest, I know it's easier said than done, but you need to stand your
ground.  Explain to your friends that the horses are yours and you need to
learn how to handle them.  You will learn by doing it yourself.  You may have
to have a difficult discussion with your friend and her feelings may get hurt,
but if she's really your friend she'll understand why this is important to you.

As for spooking, all horses do it; they are flight animals.  When I'm riding or
leading Cruiser, he's allowed to look at things, but not stare.  If his head
goes up and he starts to stare I make him move his feet.  I might circle him,
back him or have him side pass.  This engages his mind and takes his focus from
what ever is making him nervous.  If he spooks while we are riding, and he
frequently does, I do my best to stay calm.  When I stay calm, he stays calm.
He has bolted with me several times and I just tell him wo and use my reins and
body to ask him to slow.  I never use baby talk or pet him a lot; this will only
reinforce his fears, it is like praising him for the wrong behavior.

I probably would have walked the mini past the cows a few times getting a little
closer each time.  When she acted nervous I would have asked for some ground
work.  Remember you're the lead mare and it's your job to stay calm and tell
the lower ranking horses where to go; you move them, they don't move you.

I hope this helps.  I'm sorry you're having problems.  Please let us know what
the vet says about Rosebud.

Nella





Quoting Michelle Creedy  <michelle.creedy at gmail.com>:

> Hi All
>
>
>
> Firstly, I'd love any positive thoughts that could come Rosebud's way. She
> keeps having slightly runny poop but it's sort of solid and then a little
> runny all at the same time. Her tail needed washing yet again today. Anyway,
> I will have to call the vet tomorrow.
>
>
>
> I'm feeling a little frustrated and I think this has more to do with me and
> how I'm coming across somehow. We were out on a walk with the minis this
> morning when Rosebud spooked about cows. I am not someone who gets in a
> panic and so once I'd found out what the issue was I was like oh well, let's
> let her look at them. This was fine but then she spooked again. Then the
> friend with me wanted to swap minis. I said no. I said no because I have to
> learn. She then said she wanted to take her to look at them and I'm like but
> I can do that. Next thing I know, I had swapped minis with her and given up
> my power. I'm just feeling really frustrated because it feels like I'm not
> being taught to my full potential because somehow I'm coming across as not
> knowing what I'm doing. Like the poo thing.I knew it was an issue and that
> Rosebud needed washing up but I was just waiting to call the vet. I just
> hadn't' got round to it. I really want to learn about all these new
> horsemanship ways like natural horsemanship but it feels like no one knows
> what to do with me. Surely working with a blind person isn't thatweird.
> Somehow I'm obviously doing something wrong here.
>
>
>
> Anyway, hope you are all well and sorry I wrote such a frustrated message.
>
>
>
>
>
> Michelle Creedy
>
> Independent Scentsy Consultant
>
> http://michellecreedy.scentsy.ca/
>
>
>
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