I just got a new horse and he was never handled as a baby. You can get near him but he kinda walks away. I need to be able to put a halter on him but can't get near enough because he shys. Any advice on making it easier?
2006-07-23 15:56:30 · 14 answers · asked by KJ 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I would never suggest making a horse run. You are reinforcing his fear by chasing him! If he chooses to run-let him, but talk to him and follow him around. Do the approach and retreat method. If he is telling you he is scared, don't go any further, but don't back off either. He has to get used to you being in with him and touching him. A round yard would be perfect, but a stable will do as well. Go into the stall, talking to him. Relaxed-NOT NERVOUS- but confident. Be prepared to take all day. Approach him, he runs, you follow him- keeping the same distance, he stops, you stop. Wait until he relaxes ( he'll drop his head a little, lick his lips) and walk closer, he'll run, you follow, he stops, you stop. Repeat. In his mind he thinks -
"Oh no- run"
"OK runnings not working, she's still here-I'll stop".
"Hey, she stopped"
He relaxes, you take another step
the same process starts again. Gradually, he'll figure out that you are not hurting him and he'll decide to try and work out what you want. Every time you take a step, try and work yourself in closer to him, but if he bolts, or shys, take yourself back a step and work up to it again. This way, you are not telling him that by running, you go away and when you stop when he does- that's his reward. Go slowly, take your time.
When you can stand next to him and pat him, leave it for the day.
The next day, start the same way I told you and once you can pat him, try just putting the lead rope round his neck. Lots of rubs now to reward him staying with you. If he bolts or shys, take it back a step and work back up to it. Then, using the lead rope, loop it around his muzzle, lots of rubs. Once you can do this a couple of times, come in with the halter.
This can take a long time, but you need to not rush, set a goal, and make sure that you don't stop until he has learnt what you want him to. If you leave with the job half done, he will learn the wrong thing. Don't just chase him round, get tired and leave, don't try the rope and when he runs leave, his reward for good work is for you to stop asking him. Think of it that way.
I have worked on abused horses this way, and it worked well.
2006-07-24 16:04:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many ways:
Put the horse in a round pen, and stand in the middle. Make eye contact with the horse and use your body language to send the horse away. When the horse starts licking and chewing, push a little more, before turning away. Sit down in the middle of pen, and look at the ground. The horse will probably continue to gallop around, but eventually he will come into the center and sniff you. It's probably good to have sliced apples with you and slowly hold up the treat. Then continue to feed the horse, and carefully try to stroke him. If he shies, give him time to come back. If he doesn't, repeat the procedure, it will probably not take as long.
Or stick him out in a pasture with a bunch of friendly horses who love attention. Sit in the middle of the pasture with treats, and pet the other horses that will come up and give them treats. Hopefully, all of the horses except him will come. His natural curiosity will kick in and he'll want to see what's going on. See above for the treat giving.
You can also do the pasture thing with no other horses, in a small pasture and just sit there. Wait and see what happens.
Once you can get a halter on the horse, you should read "Horse, Follow Closely" by GaWaNi Pony Boy. It's excellent. If my answers seem too much like "Heartland", they are not. I've used those techniques long before the series came out.
2006-07-23 23:21:27 · answer #2 · answered by Black 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Food is the way to a horses heart, always have treats like apples and such. Give him grain but only allow him to eat it while you hold the bucket, you should be able to get to the point where you can rub his ears while your feeding him. I don't subscribe to all of the methods here, yes you could break the horse down or tire him out, but why when time and love is all he really needs!
2006-07-24 00:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by Robert m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a very similar problem. a horse i was training lived in a pasture and was pretty skittish. when i used to try and go get her she would shy a way and run over to the other horses. to let her get used to me i would always being a carrot or other treat and call her name, so that she would here my voice and know what to expect when i came. I'd put the halter on slowly and talk to her. then she was fine. once i was grooming her and tacking up I'd still talk to her and just get her used to me being there.
2006-07-24 02:48:26 · answer #4 · answered by alex 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, horses don't drink whiskey, but they are partial to beer, but don't give it to them, it's not good for them.
It depends on the horse. Start by going out and just hanging by the stall. Wait. Be still. Be aware of it's body language, and mimic it. If it flicks and ear, twitch your head. Watch it's nose. If interested it will want to smell you. If you see it trying to smell you, blow in its direction. Horses greet each other by smelling each others breath. Whenever the horse comes up to you, blow lightly in its' nose. If it drops its head you can try and pet it. A horse likes it's neck scratched, especially under the mane.
It takes time, but it is worth the effort. Be QUIET when you are doing this. Only body language. If it relaxes, you too, bend a knee and balance on your toe, put your weight on one foot.
I've been called a witch because I can get a horse to buck a rider just by tensing my body from where I stand nearby. I'm not a witch, the horses are just used to paying attention to my body-language. Take your time. Have fun.
2006-07-23 23:12:25 · answer #5 · answered by NoPoaching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You get a horses trust the same way you get a persons trust, you have to earn it. It will take a long time if he wasn't handled early on, but in time he will learn you are the one that loves him and takes care of him. NEVER do anything to make your horse lose your trust, because it is MUCH harder to regain lost trust. Speak softly, move in slow, gentle motions, and let him know he has nothing to fear when he is with you.
2006-07-23 23:13:56 · answer #6 · answered by cat tayl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start by getting in a large circular coral, rope him around the neck and make him run around the outter edge of the circle in the direction you want. get a prod and just whack him on the butt a bit when he tries to turn around. Gradually shorten the rope length closer and closer, looking at him the whole time and talking to him. Horses love corn, as you know, so make it known to him that YOU are the food source. Stand by where he eats, talk to him, reach for him slowly, at a lower level than him. There are TONS of videos and books and such about this, i recommend finding one such item and viewing it.
2006-07-23 23:03:28 · answer #7 · answered by powerlifter1985 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get in a large corral, dont put a rope or anything on your horse and make him run.....Keep him running in circles and look him in the eyes, and when he starts to respect you he will turn one ear in your direction to let you know he's listening to you.....after a while he whill lower his head (sorta like hes smelling the ground) when he does that leave him alone...stop and turn away from him and look at the ground....if he trusts you he will come to the middle of the corral with you.
2006-07-23 23:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by chevy_gal07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him Mr. Ed really existed
2006-07-23 23:00:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gently rub and pet his head, and talk to him that you care for him. Never hit it with anything!
2006-07-23 23:03:08 · answer #10 · answered by dranagar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋