Drifter's training has commenced. My goal is to get a halter on him, get him giving to pressure, and leading... within the week.
Sunday, I used my stock stick to act like and extension of my arm. He checked it out, sniffing it....
then I worked him a bit until he went into the stall. I closed the gate on him... he wasn't happy about losing his freedom.
There was a point where he tried to get over the gate when Gussie was checking him out, he got a leg over it but I got all gangster on him and backed him off. I didn't go in the stall with him, just worked him over the wall.
Once he got over his pout, he let me rub him all over with the stick, no tickly spots, just accepting it. You could see his li'l brain computing all this new experience! He let me touch him eventually and even scratch his butt. I was also able to pull the burrs out of his mane and forelock and his left ear.
I spent about a half hour with him, and eventually opened the gate and walked away. He just stood in there for a few minutes, didn't bolt out of there- just stood there thinking it over.
This morning, at chore time, I was able to rub him with the stick out in the pen. Then he volunteered to go into the stall so I went in, leaving the gate open. Once again, rubbed him with the stick and then he let me pet him and give him scratches. This time, I had the halter with me and spent some time rubbing him with it. He's an interesting colt, not fearful at all, very self assured, and not timid.
I went in and played with him a few times today. I took the halter and used it just around his neck asking him to give to pressure, and he had to think about it a bit but gave a step and got the release of pressure. After about 4 times, I stopped and walked away. He is almost to the point where I can walk up to him in his pen and pet him... not quite there yet. But for an untouched colt who has only been here three days I'm pretty happy with him. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to get the burr out of his right ear!
When he knows I'm going to work him, he goes into his stall and to the far wall and just stands there and waits for me.
Shayla got to play with him too:
We are both pretty happy with Drifter! I only wish I had been around him when he was a little guy, he would have been half broke by now!
9 comments:
I found his pawing at the hay like he was, interesting. Why did he do that? Is that something they often do in training? Is it only colts that do that? Or fillies too? I learned yesterday, that when horses put their ears back, they are ready to charge.
M, he was pawing because he was frustrated and didn't like that he couldn't get out of the stall- in other words, having a pout!
There are several reasons a horse puts their ears back, usually is is a first warning that they are annoyed about something, could be a warning to another horse to get out of their space or their feed, but does not necessarily mean that they are about to charge. Horses rarely charge people but they do charge other horses- especially if the warning of ears back was ignored!
Tumbleweed loves to pin his ears when his highness is irritated. :) For him, it means he's put out and telling me to knock it off. He never elevates it, and always accepts his humble pie when he's put in his place.
The first thought I had as I watched the video was how confident Drifter looks. I don't think Tumbleweed has that same kind of boldness. He's a mama's boy. He transferred that mama's boy connection to Foxy. I'm very interested to see what Drifter does when he bonds with your herd. Will he pick a mama, too? Will he have that same kind of dependence on her? Will the mares fight over him? Protect him? So many questions!
I was surprised to see how far you got with the petting on Drifter. I used a bamboo pole on Beautiful in a 24x24 stall, and that was the key to her gentling. But it took a while to get her legs. She was very protective of her "weapons".
Is this the same colt you sent me the advertisement for? He looks like it.
Interesting topic from a non-horsey perspective...
I told my man, when I met him, that horses put their ears back when they're angry/threatening.
He would often tell me my horse was angry, when he wasn't.
I looked more closely and ...duh...horses also put their ears back when they're scared of something/reacting to a threat. Hint - they throw the head up at the same time, in this protective reflex.
I'd generalized, "ears back - angry" and I was wrong. Ears back, head snaking down to bite your ankles.....: ) OK then.
Linda- yes it is the same horse.
Drifter is going to be a big horse. I truly like his coloring. Question, I read that you never approach a horse from the front, only from the side when you want to greet them, is that true?
M- For the most part, approaching at an angle to the shoulder is the safest. Horses don't see directly in front of them in an area of about 4 ft. due to the placement of their eyes, and that goes for the area behind them too.
Fun to watch you gals work with the colt! he will catch on before you know it! :)
Your work with Drifter is much like gentling a Mustang. I think it's sooo much harder for horses when they aren't handled young. They are truly scared and confused when asked to do domesticated things. Many pick up nasty unsafe habits. Glad Drifter has a good mind. It will be fun to watch him grow & develop socially. You are off to a fantastic start!
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