2007-02-04 08:07:21 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Horse Racing
You first must understand a horses mind.
A horse is an animal of prey not a predator. Humans are predators and horses naturally view us as something they should avoid, not as a friend or partner. Horses cannot work well with humans until their desires are fulfilled and their fear overcame.
The basis of horse desire is four simple needs that are often overlooked but are very important when communicating with horses. The first thing is safety. Asking a horse to do something that they are not sure of no matter how sure you are is not communicating well. Imagine being blindfolded in the middle of busy traffic and then asked to run. The second is comfort. Unless he feels comfortable with you and his surroundings, he will be unhappy and ignore all cues. The third is play. Horses love to play and that is the best way to reward a horse. Finally, horses love food. Without food horses are do not feel safe.
But how do you make a horse feel safe?
You will need to communicate with your horse. Remember, comunication is a two way street you MUST listen to him as much as he listens to you. You need to try and deeply understand him as a horse and a friend and then he will too.
"Horses don't really know you until you show them how much you care" as stated by a wise horseman. Show him love and don't always go to the pasture to take him out and work him. Then he will avoid coming you when you try and capture him in the pasture. Does he hate you? No, he just hates work. Groom him, show him that you care and love him. Always think, "If I were an animal of prey, what would make me feel safe and love a predator?" Then maybe he will love you.
2007-02-05 01:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by The Animal Psychiatrist♬♪ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
watch her and what she's telling you through her body lanuage. The best way to keep them happy is by making things fun and easy for them so that they want to be around us. If all we ever do is take them out and constantly do ring and pattern work they get bored just like you would if a teacher taught the same chapter/lecture everyday. They will tell you what kind of things they like if you take time to pay attention. Is she relaxed going this direction or tense? If she's tense do a little less of it until you build her up so you don't make her sore. Did she take the bridle easily today or did she seem to want a day off? She seems bored maybe a nice trail ride would perk her up? so on and so fourth. If you really start to look at what she's saying you'll be able to read her and know what she wants and she'll be much happier to work with you and be around you. It'll be more of a partnership and a relationship than what you have now.
2007-02-04 21:32:17 · answer #2 · answered by bonnieblue716 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed her her food yourself, and stay beside her or near her when she eats. This way, she'll associate the pleasure of food with you. Also, sit with her in the pasture, stall, or wherever so she gets used and comfortable to your presence. I'd also groom her yourself. Grooming is great for establishing bonds, its like giving the horse a message. And never stay mad at her for more than a minute. This will make you seem unfriendly, and the horse will concentrate on that rather than all the good you did.
Good luck with him/her!
2007-02-05 21:45:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wat i do is ill spend a LOT of time with my horse. but DO NOT pamper it! the way 2 get it to like u is 2 give it rewards 4 the things it does well and 2 punish it 4 the things it does wrong. thets the best way to get your horses trust. also when a horse feels like it does not have a structured owner, it will not be structured either. ~just a little advice~
2007-02-04 22:35:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My horse is very moody so when I give her a good jumping ride I give her a pat and put some trats in her feedbox. I also message her belly and neck (she loves that). Hope I helped!!!
2007-02-04 22:51:35 · answer #5 · answered by horseluver4ever606 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soend lots of time with her, give her treats, lunge her, and really pay extra attention to her you can also try some ground work that allows horse and rider to bond. GOOD LUCK!!!
2007-02-04 18:06:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what i usually do to get my horse to like me and trust me is i go and sit in the pasture for like an hour every day then after a while she will start walking up to you every day thats when you know you have their trust
2007-02-04 17:04:09 · answer #7 · answered by ~!COLIE MARIE~! 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
spend time with it, you cannot force an animal to love you
2007-02-04 21:05:56 · answer #8 · answered by gg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋