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Horse Behavior and Training

Working in an indoor arena

Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

Hello fellow horse lovers :)

This is my first post here. Since joining in January, I've been steadily reading up on topics and going through Monty's training videos and books - all good stuff.

We have two Swiss Freiberger horses. They're lovely, light-weight draft horses that can also be used for riding. They live outside all year round - that's the only way that they're happy. We work with them outside whenever we can but since we live in Belgium where it's often rainy and the winters are long, we'd like for them to get used to also working indoors. This is usually a little stressful for them so my question is this: do you guys and girls have any advice for me? We do take them indoors but maybe not enough. They're easy enough to handle and once they're occupied, things are pretty good. But they remain a little jumpy so is there another way for them to feel comfortable indoors?

Thanks :)

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi Marija,
Welcome to the forum and the Uni!You've found the place here for whatever support you might need.. Try "Monty's Challenge" after each lesson, it gives you rosettes to your profile and others can see how many lessons you've accomplished.
Now to your question about the Freiberger you have: everything is easier when you have their trust, so did you Join-Up with them (separately)? When trust is in place you might start bringing them indoors for some nice hay or feed (usually these breeds don't get much oats or other feed, they tend to put on weight..), but munching hay and being able to settle down indoors, let them explore the surroundings.
Do some games with them that they know outside, things they like, let them find familiar things to do in a different environment.
Think of those horses that Monty picks for his public demonstrations, they sure feel stressful when entering the roundpen in a building full of people, but with trust they seem to forget their fears and bond with Monty.
You could even do some desensitisation indoors, if you take the level of adrenalin up, you can bring it lower than it was before. Using some plasticbags on a stick will help you bringing their level of acceptance up. Watch a lot of lessons where Monty uses this techique before you try it, your own level of adrenalin and your breathing is very important.
I'm sure other forum members will add interesting suggestions, this way we all learn from eachother!
Have fun with your beautiful Freiberger horses and more important: let them have fun!
Keep us posted,
Miriam

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

sorry, part of the sentence just disappeared!
Do some games with them that they know outside, things they like, let them find familiar action in a different surrounding.

Marija
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

Hi Miriam and thank you very much :)
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One of the horses is a 7-year old mare named Gaia that we've had for a year now so we know each other well and have her full trust. It's mostly my boyfriend who works with her and they have a great relationship - she's veeery sweet-tempered. My horse is a young gelding named Lipton, 3 1/2 years old with a bit more fire in his engine. I've only had him for a month - my previous horse was Spanish but his troubled past + stallion like behaviour = danger both to other horses and people (last November, I spent 12 days in the hospital with 12 rib fractures and a pneumothroax). I've done join-up with Lipton 3 times and it went swimmingly every time. As for the rest of the ground work, we have made great progress with everything during the past four weeks, so much that now, he stays completely calm while tied up on his own in the stable courtyard and only moves a little bit when showering. He's slowly getting used to leaving his buddies and being alone.
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We're going back in a couple of days (we don't have them at home) and will do some indoors work so I'll try what you suggested and go through the videos again. And keep you posted :)

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Hello Mirija and welcome to the forum. What Miriam has suggested to you as a plan to go forward with your horses took the words right out of my mouth. She always presents a well thought- out plan that represents many years of CAREFUL, LEARNED EXPERIENCE.
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You stated that you were injured last November by a horse that probably was too tough, in his mind, for you to handle at the time. As horse people, we face that danger every time that we are with these magnificent BEINGS. They are so-oo much bigger and stronger than we humans. However, we continually go back to that potential dangerous situation, because we are so drawn to that moment when we feel their LOVE AND RESPECT come forth. They seem to make us more complete. Your demonstration of bringing two more horses back into your life after that horrible injury seems to be testimony to where you are at with having horses in your life.
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The people on this forum are at different stages of their life with horses, but they all have one thing in common, THEY WANT TO GET BETTER WITH HORSES. They all have a story and are willing to share that story to help folks with the never-ending next step with horses as we evolve beyond yesterday in our skills.
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.Marija, there is a treasure chest full of information and ideas about how to help horses with their people. My hope is that you and your boyfriend will continue to come back to this forum for more discussion.
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.All the best
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Bud

Marija
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

Thank you, Bud :)

I have indeed found lots of useful information here and will surely keep doing so. As for my relationship with horses... It started when I was 5 and was continuous until my early twenties when I had to distance myself because of studies and work. I kept in touch so to speak via outdoor rides but didn't maintain anything close.

To make a long story short, I am now in a life position where I can finally fufill my life-long dream of having my own horses but that's +20 years down the line... So obviously, I need to ease into all that again which hasn't been all that difficult really - you never really forget :) But I made the mistake of choosing a horse that would've been perfect for my past 20-year old self, not the person that I am today. And the young gelding mentioned above is not the right one either - he's been with me on a trial period for six weeks now and despite obtaining great results, I don't "feel" this horse in the long run.

So I have decided to choose a 10-year old instead - he's very sweet, very comfortable to ride and without surprises. There will be a little work to do with him since he has spent his whole life in a secluded farm so he worries easily with sudden noises, for instance, but remains completely manageable with a firm and confident hand to guide him.

Anyway, I have no regrets about anything because I choose to view every life experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. And I'm looking very much forward to start working with the 10-year old - he should be with me this weekend (it's also a Swiss Freiberger).

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Just saying hi Marija, we're always here to help support you. Sometimes videos are helpful if you have anyone to hand to record for you, then post them on the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/equusonlineuni/
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One thing I always do with any horse is walk, walk in hand until their heads become relaxed at the side of you, even when spooky things happen with the adrenaline down and head low, what would normally be a big spook reduces greatly.
x
Mel
x

JoHewittVINTA
Please upload your photo 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi Marija & welcome. Trust is a term open to interpretation. Monty is always careful not to lead people into danger. I think you have made the right decision to go with the older, steadier horse. Monty says there are bold horse trainers/riders & there are old horse trainers/riders but there are very few old/bold horse trainers/riders. Make your older boy a very happy fellow by following Monty concepts. Apollo was 14 when I rescued him from an unhappy situation. We had 24, yes, 24 years together. Our last competition was a veteran class, when he was 32. The judge noted this old boy loved to run!! Part bred Arab & a real character! Apollo set my broken wrist, letting me off an op. He stayed down for 3.5 hours whilst I snuggled, wet & cold, against his clipped belly, having been caught in a snow drip, trying to get home in a low slung car in a blizzard & failing so returning to the yard to find snow had come through the vents so re-bedded Apollo & 3 other horses. Given the chance these guys can be amazing. Given that we understand that, we can be amazing for them too. Cheers, Jo.

Marija
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

Hey Jo :)
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Wow, what a touching anecdote about you and Apollo... A part-bred Arab who loved to run? Why am I not surprised ^^ Arabs have always been my favourite horses - amazingly beautiful, great character, very loyal. I used to ride them when I was young as they truly suited me. Today, their explosive energy is not for me anymore but I keep loving them. Also, our two horses are boarded at an Arab horse farm so going there is a double daily pleasure :)
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I love Monty's saying about old/bold riders as I find it very true. Life gets in the way, I guess, but hey, that's ok for my old bones... And I will do whatever I can so as to make life sweet for my 10-year old. I haven't decided on a name yet - I want to get to know him a little better first :)
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Cheers!