I have yet to get in my first ride of the year- we have been having more rain which always dampens my spirits (pun intended!) when it comes to riding.
However, Moondance is keeping me busy. He is in a growth spurt, he now stands 13.3 hh at the hip and 13.1 at the wither.
He is bored with winter too. So of course, when I come into the pen twice a day to clean their shelter and put out their hay, he is happy to interact with me.
Of course he's at that pesky age where everything goes in the mouth! Always tugging at my jacket or trying to steal my shovel, or grab the wheelbarrow.
To discourage him nipping me or my clothing, I handle his face and his mouth a lot rather then waving him off or smacking him, as I don't want him to be shy of my hand movements; instead, if he needs discipline I will flick his nose the moment he opens his lips and goes in for a nip. It takes time, but it works. I had to do this a lot with Drifter- they do get over this stage, and it seems to be more prevalent with colts than fillies.
His leadrope is fair game, apparently! He's like those dogs that grab their leash; always has to grab the knot in the leadrope when I first lead him. And when I tie him up, it is usually in his mouth! Must need to floss his teeth eh? 😁
I've been taking him for little walks too when it's not raining. There's snow/rain in our forecast for the next week though, so I guess we are at that slow stage where we wait for winter to wind down- I have a feeling we are going to be in for a lot of snow in February and March to make up for the lack of it so far.
7 comments:
Rain in Winter, yuck! We haven't had much snow either. It seems to show up later in the season the past few years. I hope we get at least one good dumper. If not riding my horse I would like to ride my sled (aka snow machine). So many businesses depend on snow, especially this year. Not that we frequent establishments while riding, but others do. Got a good chuckle watching your Moondance mouthy video when he stretched and flapped his lips!
He's adorable. I am the proud owner of an orally fixated horse who in so many ways refuses to grow up though he turned 10 this month. Everything goes in his mouth, everything. If I take off his halter and lie it there, it will be in his mouth when I turn around. Our wheelbarrow and pooper scooper are all chewed up. He gnaws on any towel or blanket thrown over a fence to dry, and as you've seen, he gnaws on the donkey a certain time of year. When tied, he grabs the rope like a pacifier, like Moondance did. Some people find it cute that he will grab the zipper of your coat and unzip it for you, take your hat off, but I don't allow it at all. If I cup my hand on his chin his lips tremble as he resists the tempation to put my hand in his mouth. Everyone else is fair game. I keep waiting for it to become cribbing, but it seems to be something completely different. It was Linda Tellington-Jones who introduced me to the concept of mouth work for mouthy horses, like you (and W Schiller) do. Ironically he does not accept the bit very well : (
I wanted your opinion on his kicking out, shown here at 1:02: https://youtu.be/2Z9FMmHDCTA The chiropractor says he's crooked all over, but not in pain, confirmed by the vet. I don't know why he lashes out with his hind legs randomly, at "nothing." Have you seen this behavior before?
Lytha-As far as I know it's a behavioural thing. Beamer does something similar, only with both hind feet. I think it's the equine version of strutting their stuff. Nothing to really be concerned about. Does he do it when you are riding or just when he is in pasture or at liberty?
Cute video...you have patience and that is a good thing...making a good horse better. Loved it when he showed his teeth! He is so handsome:) I am thinking that it will snow soon and never stop we are down by about 20 inches of snow this year. I have been having fun with my brothers puppy...different kind of pup...Miniature Australian Shepherd...the breeder was going to keep him to show but he is cryptorchid. My brother and sister in law need to work with him more. To have a really good dog you need to do the work. :)
Floss his teeth! 😂 Tumbleweed is still in that mouthy stage. Lol. That blaze sure reminds me of his brother, too.
We've been having a fairly mild January so far and I've managed to get in three rides! Still a lot of winter ahead though so I'll take it as I can :)
Mouthy horses, I like that technique. Reminds me of dealing with horses that nip, keep your hand where they can get it (and keep an eye on them) and when they try give them a good bop on the nose.
Shirley, that makes sense. Especially cuz I've seen it in the Arabian halter horse ring. The horses are so wound up, expected to strut around and then stand calmly, and often as they're receiving their prizes the horses will kick out at "nothing." I assumed it was flies but I think you're right. They're so full of themselves they cannot help but kick out, a more polite form of bucking *lol*
I think once it happened under saddle.
Thanks for the help! I think you're right.
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