[Ag-eq] Questions about Barns and Minis

Tue Nov 12 15:30:50 UTC 2013

Hi Nella 

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it. 

When you ask a horse for groundwork are there any particular exercises that
would be helpful in this situation? 

Also, you'd posted some more accessible videos where you learned about
groundwork and I've lost the name. I think it was someone from Australia.

Looks like I'll have to be the lead mare around the people too. 

I'll keep you posted about Rosebud. My gut feeling is that the hay is too
rich or something. 

Michelle

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
nfoster at extremezone.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:53 AM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Questions about Barns and Minis

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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