Couldn't quite think of a title for this one, so as it's not my horse it fits the bill.
We had a new pony come into our fields, I say in the fields as we rent a large field with shelter and it's all DIY out in the field.
The new boy, extremely scared of anything. Even if you first approached outside of the fencing he'd take to flight. His owners have the same problem and have to go after him for getting the head collar on. They sold him at one point, but he was given back after 2 months as unsuitable to ride. For taking him out of the field they put a birdal on and use the bit to hurt him if he mis-behaves. I've heard the young girl instruct one of her friends if he pulls his head away 'yank' the bridal really hard, it will hurt him and he'll stop.
We have to drive past this part of the field everyday and he'd spook at the car even if we crawled past. So a plan went into action.
I've seen him watch me in the field with my horses and the other horses I do work with, he's quite attentive and when I herd my guys for a good run around, he'll join in from his field. To start getting him used to the car passing, I'd crawl then stop with the window down, make eye contact but then look down to the ground and become submissive. After a week of doing this, we can now drive the car passed him still very slowly and he doesn't spook.
If you walk by the field, he won't approach you, so up till a couple of days ago, I hadn't had physical contact. I would use head gestures and be passive as I'd walk by and he'll now stand and watch instead of taking to flight.
We've had some hot days over the last week, but as his owners only come once a day to check him, he'd been standing in temperatures over 18 degrees with a winter rug on. I asked the owner if I could take his rug off when I get down if I know it's going to be hot and they agreed.
The first time after I removed the rug they thanked me and asked how on earth did I get near to him to do it and were surprised that I'd achieved it. I just said I let him know I was his friend.
With the work I'd done with him in passing with the car and the walk bys it built enough trust in him that when I stepped into the field, he didn't run. He stood still whilst I approached without eye contact, he let me walk all the way up to him and stroke him directly between the eyes :D Then I touched his rug and I used one word 'rug' he started licking and chewing and let me not only take the rug off, but also give him a good itch all over as he was sweating underneath.
Just wanted to share this experience. They really do want us to communicate with them and with using patience and their language that trust bond can grow!
:D
Mel
x
This horse needs a friend and you are it. Great job. Keep it up and he/she will thank you.
Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job Mel. I hope that the owner is willing to learn from you.
Good on you keep up the great work
Good on you keep up the great work
Wow Mel! This really brought tears into my eyes! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience, thank you!
Thanks guys, sorry I've been slow getting back..... update on The new boy :D His name is Pie! Since the last post I've seen the owners come and check Pie, fight to catch him and sucumb to polos to catch him. All good and well maybe, except they keep the polos in their hand whilst their trying to put the rug back on, no guesses as to what he wants so he's biting them the whole time they're trying to put the rug on him. So really hard not to interfere, so hard that I had to when I watched them continually hitting him around the head as he was biting them.
I know they want to loan him out so I offered to loan him on the grounds that they pay field rent and I'll train him to make him confident again and rideable and they are not allowed to feed him treats like they're doing and explained why. Dumb thing is they knew that feeding polos can encourage biting,so I was a bit dumbfounded on that one. Before I'd finished with my offer, the owner said yep that's fine, can we come and visit him now and then & when can I start? I said now! She said yes and went!!! So Pie hasn't had a visit from them now for 3 days!!! I've a big feeling I'm going to be left with him as she's leaving the yard with their full livery horse, so will be waiting for a phone call from the farm saying about paying rent in the not too far future.
I've been able to have a good look over him. He's underweight, but I'd say from lack of muscle not feed, bit bloated and definite signs of worms. He's about 8yrs, gelding. His coat is very matted and his mane is bitty and worn from having a neck/hood thingy on. I've not check his feet yet, that'll come over the next couple of days. We've the farrier coming to trim our guys on Monday so will get Pie sorted too. Where the rug doesn't fit him properly and with no muscle around the withers he's got sores on the withers, which I'm attending to.
Join up!! :D grins from ear to ear even more so as I was watched by someone who didn't know of Join Up. This lady has just brought a 4yr old very unhandled mare and has spend a couple days in the field with her trying to get close to her. I explained about join up and said I was just about to do it with Pie to start building his confidence in me.
He was an absolute star!!! We're in the field of about 2 acres,so I knew it wouldn't take 6 mins. But he was quick at 20 min, he started showing signs of listening more or less immediately and within 5 mins he's started to circle me instead of racing up and down the field. (she said thankfully as walking isn't my forte) He slowed into a trot and gradually I had all the signs, he stopped once to look at me, but that first stop I sent him away again. The second stop he faced me so I started to cross over him offering my shoulder. He just stood nice and still, alert until I go close, then I rubbed him between the eyes and praised him then walked off and :D he followed. He then let me rub him all over, quite nervous about the head, but that's understandable. Put a head collar on him and lead him up the field and he came along with no resistance. I know the bit of communication I did before with him helped, but it was nice to be allowed to take it to the next level.
The young girls couldn't believe what she saw as she'd seen the owners struggling with him. I'll help her join up with her mare at the weekend.
Next stage for Pie is start to introduce him to out BamBam and Barnabay (previously Barneby) I think he'll enjoy the company & I've got to get my head around having another pony to care for. Unexpected but glad I've done it.
Love to hear your stories too!
xx
Can't believe it was May when I posted this. Introductions to Barnabay and BamBam went really well. Pye is head now, which is good for BamBam.
We've had more history on Pye and he's had quite a scary life, from being chased with a Lung whip and hit with it to make him free lunge around an school, to trampling his owner in a horse box as she fell over in the horsebox he stepped on her and started screaming, in his panic he trampled her more. She didn't say she was injured much! I've seen videos how he was ridden and the teenagers who were riding did not seem to have any training. Everything was very heavy handed and all on the bit, tight corners into jumps has made it so that he now rears and the bucking is seriously saying get off me.
He's had no ground work, they used to tack up, straight into the school and straight into jumping 2" and higher.
Over the last few months we've gradually brought him on and he accepted Darrell my 13yr old daughter on his back without bucking. He did try to rear, however the dually soon brought that under control. What was lovely as he accepted Darrell on his back as I was waiting for licking and chewing, he turned his head to me and started to mouth my fleece, he was nicely relaxed. :D
Darrell is an extremely good rider, she's been with the Pony Club since she was 6, riding since she was 9 months.
We now own Pye, they owner couldn't find a buyer for him with his bucking, so she's given him to us. We're still taking our time with him and have had to change many ways of doing things so he's not reminded of how he was treated. One of the things we can't always do with him is give him a hug around the neck. In the photos from the owners, the way they used to get hugs etc is to have a treat in their hand, but not give it to him then make his head go around their body as if he was giving them a hug. The few times we've gone to give him a hug he's reacted quite sharply, so this one will have to wait for a while. No rush.
Nice to have the update Mel, glad all is going well :-)
Thanks for the update Mel. What a wonderful story this has been for me to read this morning. Missed your initial post so it was great to read each episode this morning on your incredible journey with Pie. What a lucky little horse he has been so I do hope he shows his appreciation.
So nice to read a success story!
So nice to read a success story!
Great Mel, i hope this story gets passed on to many people!
I'm so glad you had the opportunity to help this pony & your brill work has already had a knock on effect with the owner of the other youngster, that's how word spreads, but seeing kindness in action!
wow, what a wonderful job you are doing Mel. so nice to hear of this success.
thanks for the comments it's appreciated.
Major breakthrough with Pye today. Monday's are my days to do nothing but be with the horses, after chores and grooming I hover with the 3 of them, rest with them and play with them. Sitting resting next to Pye today with Barnabay and BamBam on the opposite side to me, Pye came in close to me, nose to nose, and relaxed with his face against mine :D then he stepped back and nibbled on my jacket. I took it as a sign to groom so I stood up and started to itch his withers and neck and he responded in kind gently tugging on my jacket :D Big step for him and a big relief for me knowing his trust is growing! This is the first time since we got him that he's chosen to come in and be that close. :D (beams)
great stuff Mel, it's so rewarding when your patience pays off isn't it!
Thanks Beryl, it is a reward indeed! :D x
Had my first training injury yesterday. A broken finger. :(
whilst doing some box training with Pye, he decided to go back to his rearing. my hands were quite cold and i didn't mange to hold the lead rope on the dually strong enough and he ripped it out of my hand breaking my ring finger on my left hand.
quite interestingly though Pye realised he'd hurt me even though i didn't call out. he stood still straight away, as I walked over to him I put my hand out to him at which point i realised it was shaking and my finger was bent across my middle finger, he put his nose to my hand and held it there. then bless him he followed me round whilst i locked up, this isn't usual for him, then he followed me to the gate and stood a few steps away from me, until i said it's ok and did a head gesture to come forwards. he went straight to my bad hand and and held his head near it.
although not good I now have a broken finger, it has opened another window of understanding between Pye and myself, that he showed concern and that's not something that is taught, it's a sign of connection, friendship.
OUCH!!!!!!!!! He was saying sorry, he didn't mean to hurt you, i'm sure he was very upset.
Had similar with Libby not long after mt knee op; i asked her if she wanted her bum scratched & she stepped her hind leg across towards me for me to scratch the top of her quarters, i didn't put my foot in a safe place & she stood on the joint of my big toe, i yelled, as it jolted my knee as i pulled back - i hobbled off to get a bucket of cold water to put my foot in while the pain subsided. When i went back in with Lib, she was so upset & she put her head into my tummy for a cuddle & to say sorry, Bless her, it wasn't her fault.
lol, my first thought was oh poor Lib, she must have been worried.
why does it hurt so much when they just get the toe?
did you have to stop riding for long after your op?
x
She was distraught, she'd already been very stressed at having other people looking after her. sometimes wish there weren't so many nerves in your toes!!!
I was back on her about 3 weeks after the op, i was meant to see the consultant first but that was 4 weeks after the op. It was so nice for it not to hurt while i was riding cos it had done for months; i only rode for about 10 minutes in walk & built it up gradually. Lib looked after me so well, thats why i'm mad with myself for feeding her this muck & upsetting her again.
How's your poor finger doing?
I get my finger rest properly tomorrow, not a simple break I hear the guy who did the xray say. It's just strapped to my middle finger at the moment, awkward and I keep getting reminders it's broke lol. The horses have been good and are getting used to my wierd way of holding their legs when picking out their hooves lol. I've got to ride today, but the horse I'm riding is very good and should be able to know what I'm asking for with one hand.
I think I've given up on ever haing a break from the horses again every time something happens to upset their routine and it takes nearly a week to get them back to normality.
Hope Lib is a bit more settled today. xx
Just read the thread - what an amazing story (apart from the broken finger - ouch!). Well done Mel for all you've done for Pye - previous owners were ... awful, but so glad Pye is with you and so lucky he found you. Sounds like he understood he'd hurt you and wanted to make amends - what a fella.
Hope your finger improves.
All best, Lizzie
I always wear gloves (and a helmet). Would it have been helpful?
Rudi
Hi Mel, I bought 3 kg of Agnus Castus seeds for the girls as thats a cheap way of feeding it - guess what - Princess Libby HATES it! what a surprise, I've had to order some Hormonise for her, which is the same thing but in a liquid form which i know she's ok with as i had to put her on it as a youngster. It's always the expensive option with her!!!
Went out with our friend today - still very forward, not quite as reactive BUT!!!
Ebony now has about a years supply of agnus castus seeds all to herself, she's not as fussy as Lib.
know what you mean about change of routine, a new pony went in next door today & when i went to see if it was boy or girl, Libby flew to the electric fence to try to stop me, so she's way stressed about that as well now.
Hope your finger is less painful when it's been looked at properly. It's not easy picking out feet with a hurty hand!xxx
Beautiful to read your progress with Pye Mel :) Your broken finger story had me with a few tears.
I hope it heals well and I look forward to reading more of your progress!
xo
Thanks Lizzie, just need time and patience with him now.
Hi Rudi, I was wearing gloves :D Ever wonder why Monty never wears a safety helmet? I don't generally wear a helmet unless I'm going to get on or I have someone with me in the pen.
Beryl, glad you're getting it sorted with the feed. Have to have a fussy one lol. Poor Libby, maybe she thinks you're going to forget her :( What I do when new horses arrive is to parade mine past them, as if I was a herd mare showing off and announcing this is my herd. Quite funny when I do this as I have all 3 of them on lead ropes and they follow my lead, we walk past the newbie/s, first in walk, then we trot past heads held high. It was something I learnt from BamBam everytime a new horse came along he'd parade, so I thought I'd give it a go as a herd and it works quite well. Then I'll take them individually to go and meet the newbie at their field gate. Once we've gone through that process they don't then tend to take as much notice of them. Barnabay if we don't put him in his pen for the night escapes and goes for a visit on his own. lol Shetlands!
Hi Rahni, thank you :D just reread what I'd put. Interestingly Pye has become a bit closer and not so reactive since breaking my finger. so it's worth the break for him to draw closer to me.
The hospital set my finger in a splint so I can keep working with the horses, however they set it so that my fingers were dead straight which didn't feel right and caused more pain, so I've reset it to where my fingers are in a relaxed position and made the splint conform to that. Much less painful and I can use my hand better :D Thank you for all the get healed wishes :D
Something lacking on the forum, a profile pages where we can put more details of our horses. Wonder if it should be suggested?
xox
Hi Mel, i did try to introduce Libby to the boys over the gate, but she screams, rears & strikes out, the horses she really takes to are older type mares, she's looking for a mummy to look after her, i think, caused by being weaned too young!
ha ha - what do hospitals know huh??? Heal well my friend.
lol, at least you know what types of horses she takes too :D I do make sure the dually is on when I introduce, so any misbehaviour can be corrected or we can leave without fuss. There is a mare 4 fields down that loves Barney, but is very squealy with Pye. I think BamBam is just petrified of her, she's about 16.2h, he's just 13h. He stands to attention whilst she checks him out :D
Thank you for the healing wishes again, I'm sure they help!!
x
I was on top of her at the time, much the safest place to be as she protects me from them & won't have me between her & another horse. My landlady has now put a fence inside the boundary fence so people can ride safely down the narrow path & not get attacked by them - Thank god for that!!!! They all have their likes & dislikes, they just don't get the choice of who's next door to them - mind you, neither do we!!
lol, I agree with you on that last bit. Shame we can't fully vet our neighbours before we move in :D x
the REALLY annoying thing, is i helped then to get into the field in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never again!!!!!
Glad to hear Mel :)
Re: the forum format....yes these things have been raised before lol. I am pretty sure that this particular forum runs more like the comments section of a blog, ie: you can comment, but cant edit and no one can check out your "profile" because it's format is a bit more basic than wordpress or the like.
However, not sure if you are aware of it or not, but there is a Facebook uni group where we can share photos, videos and be a little more interactive.
Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/equusonlineuni/
lol Beryl, sorry for the late answer.
Rahni, no i wasn't aware of the group, thank you I've sent a request to join.
Hope you're all well.
x
Hi Mel,
Libby doing brilliantly now, we had an oil tanker come round a blind corner a couple of weeks ago uphill so his foot was to the floor, he slammed on the brakes when he saw us, then moved on again - Lib just stood still & relaxed & watched it as it went past us!!! There was a high bank & hedge to the side of us, so nowhere to go, Carrie said her heart was in her mouth & bet mine was too, i said actually i was amazingly chilled out as Lib was relaxed & i'm taking some of the Hormonise too. Hee Hee Hee, well, it works for her, so why not for me, it is agnus castus after all!!
Don't get me wrong, she's not turned into a slug as she proved by jogging through 3/4 of a mile of mud yesterday & me having to halt & rein back several times to get her to walk before we went down the slippery steep slope at the end, she's forward but not out of her brain like she was.
hope your fingers feeling a lot better.
So good to read Mel. She sounds safe and relaxed now -well done!
yahooooo Beryl, bet you could have cheered when she was so relaxed. well done!!!!
My daughter is allergic to nuts, we found this out when she was young but she didn't react in the normal nut allergy ways, but it changed her temperament, she's get violently angry after having hazelnut spread, my daughter is autistc and very placid normally. itcould well be what's happened to your Libby. really glad it's sorted. :D
Hi Maggie, good to be connected with people who care for their horses. :-) x
I think i was so gob smacked i was in shock!!!!
Thats very interesting about your daughters reaction to nuts, it just goes to show that when you know them, children & horses, you are the one best placed to work out the real problem!!!
I bet you don't give her hazelnut spread anymore???
I'm convinced Libby had hallucinations on alfalfa, she wasn't just scared, she was terrified & she's a pretty bold horse generally. She WON'T ever have that again!
This has been a great thread as it does display so much love and real caring for horses. I have enjoyed all the comments so much. Pleased you found out about the alfalfa Beryl. Some horses do seem to freak out on it - bit like raspberry juice with some children or in your case hazelnuts, Mel.
Have a happy and safe Christmas everyone.
Thanks MaggieF.
Happy Christmas to you too & the same to Mel & your family
Berylxxx
Hope you all have a good time.
Mel
x