I have an 8 yo ex-racing TB. I have had him for about 3 months, and he was bought straight off the track from the people I got him from (he retired at 2 yo). He is very sensitive and I have a hard time getting him to trust me. I have heard of thoroughbreds being more sensitive then other breeds, and that it take some times 2 or more years for them to trust there handlers. I'm very nice to him, and would never hurt him. And I want him to know that. How can I get him to be conferable with me doing stuff with him? Thanks for reading!
2007-03-19 17:42:24 · 10 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Just keep working with him. My horse was the same way and it just took awhile. Once he has your trust he will always have it unless you do something traumatic. Continued work, love, and patience will get you to your goal. Just don't rush things and it will come. Hope this helps! :)
2007-03-19 17:53:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have some very good tips so far and the rule is "Patience and Persistance" will work. You didn't mention any history of human contact except as a two year old. If this horse was taken from track and parked in a pasture for 6 years, fed but not personally cared for, he is just learning new experiences like bonding with you, associating you with comfort, etc. If this is the case, daily contact with you especially on a routine time schedule will give him something to look forward to and depend on-trust and acceptance. If he was mis-treated, or abused-you will have to take more time for him to realize that NOT all humans are a threat. Don't give him any reason to fear you and don't show fear yourself. Don't give up-when he's convinced you are trustable, he will show it and be more willing to do what you ask. Either way, you can feel good about how you have treated him and be rewarded by your efforts. (Without being too obvious, it wouldn't hurt to check out the previous owner, if they have other horses and how they are handled-good clues to the way your horse views people, how he acts or re-acts to certain situations. Good luck to you.
2007-03-19 19:21:59 · answer #2 · answered by pennyoutback 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would spend time with him everyday I could. I would groom him and pat him. Talk to him. Give him carrots and treats. Make everything a positive experience. However, if he is misbehaving, firmly correct him, you don't want him to think he can get away with things. Praise him when he is doing well. Don't push him, let things happen at their own time. If you are patient, you will end up with a great horse!
Like was stated in another answer, be careful what you feed him. Thoroughbreds tend to be higher strung than other horses, and feeds like alfalfa can exaggerate it. Also, large quantities of food can have a similar reaction. With my horses (I have had 2 Arabs, which are also higher strung), I find Purina's Omelene 100 is a good feed, along with regular (timothy I think) hay. Don't over feed him, give him the amount of food that keeps the right amount of weight on him. (Remember, if you are going to switch his feed, do so slowly, mix it in with his existing feed, gradually increasing the amount of new food, and decreasing the old food). If he does have trouble with his weight, Weight Builder is a miracle supplement. It helped my Arab get to a healthy weight.
Do some ground work, on the lunge line or free lunging (if you have the facilities). Work on voice commands. Make sure you give him lots of praise when he is doing well.
If he is ridable, lunge him first so he can get his head in the game, and burn off his extra energy.
Good luck! I absolutely love Thoroughbreds and would love to adopt one off the track. I am currently working with a Standardbred ex racer. They are great horses!
2007-03-20 03:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by jeepgirl0385 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will just take time. Make sure he is getting enough exercise and turn out if possible. Also, make sure he is not being fed "hot" food such as: sweet feed and too much alfalfa. Sometimes excess energy can make a horse seem more skitish than they really are. I have had lots of arabs that were very hot and I found the best thing to feed them was a 80% grass/20% alfalf mix hay, plain oats and a vitamin supplement. If they need to gain weight, add rice bran, vegetable oil and beet pulp.
You will need to be very consistant with him, but don't let him get away with misbehaving. I also wouldn't give him very many treats, they seem to make horses more prone to bitting and not respecting your space.
2007-03-19 21:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by mandylmit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When there handled on the farms & at the track the handlers are real aggresive with them.As soon as he relizes you arent going to be tugging & beating with a crop he'll come around seeing that your not goig to hurt him hr'll start trusting you.It may take some time but it will be worth the wait.Just think how many years since a yearling he's been man handled.
2007-03-19 21:25:42 · answer #5 · answered by spanishorses4me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never had a TB, but I got a 5 yo Arabian that had been abused with no other handling his whole life. It did take time and patience. I just moved slowly and picked up from him what he's was more comfortable with and not. Don't rush him, but be consistent. I also used lots of praise and some treats. Good luck!
2007-03-19 17:58:01 · answer #6 · answered by lisacantcook 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to worry more about getting his respect that trust. Once he respects you he will trust you. Check out Clinton Anderson he has great tips and dvd's. He also has clinics all over the states. You don't need to baby him or he is going to learn very quickly that he can walk all over you. Please remember that he is a large 1200lb animal that can potentially hurt you. I am not saying that you have to be abusive or harsh with him. I am saying that you need to be firm and consistent with him. Once he realizes that you are the boss and he has to do what you ask when you ask then he will begin to respect you. And once he has respect for you he will trust you and be the amazing horse that you want him to be. Please don't treat him special just because his is a TB. I also have one straight from the tracks and he is VERY smart and he figured out all of my weekness and insecurties very quickly. But now that I have worked consitently with him and let him know that he can not walk all over me that he has to listen - he is amazing! He whinnies any time he sees me, he does everything I ask and he is always willing to do new things! GOOD LUCK to you!
2007-03-20 10:41:29 · answer #7 · answered by Carrie T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, you need to spend time with him. You need to be the one who brings the feed, picks his feet, grooms him, turns him out, etc etc. Whenever I am around my horse doing the daily chores and things, I talk to him in a soothing voice. He's gotten so accustomed to me that once he hears my voice he starts walking up towards the gate of his pasture, eager to be around me. I've spent a lot of time working with him and just being with him to gain his trust and respect and it has paid off! Also try just hand walking him around the property. It is a great way to bond with your horse. You should also try to figure out some of his favorite places to be scratched and rubbed. Try under his jaw line, between his ears, his forehead, the top of his tail and the crest of his neck. Most horses like having these places rubbed because they can't get to them on their own. Bonding with a horse isn't always an instant thing. It takes time, patience and understanding. Soon he will realize that he can trust you and your bond will strengthen.
2007-03-20 03:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by rockerchic821 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
baby him for a little while. try going to see him every day and greet him with treats. if he shys away from you as you enter his stall, stop and hold out your hand. let him come to you. spend as much time as possible grooming him and such, and talk to him a calm, soothing voice.
2007-03-19 17:56:33 · answer #9 · answered by alexie. 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try looking towards Parelli. Its an awesome method. look it up
2007-03-20 07:59:42 · answer #10 · answered by babs_seh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋