I got a horse, now what? update 1-22-11

[duckluck]

I know that's right about the water...back where we used to live, where we had municipal water, it smelled like bleach...awful to drink and horrible on clothes in the washer. You didnt want to get it in your eyes in the shower either. Pool water would have been far more palatable and easier on the clothes. I am so glad we have our own well here and good water.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I don't think you should start a new thread either. You've come a long way since that first post and I have enjoyed hearing how you're doing.

I must admit, I too was shocked by that first post thinking to myself 'good grief, this guy shouldn't have brought this horse home' but my thoughts have changed. Maybe add a statement on that very first post at the beginning for folks to keep reading about how far you've come.

My only wish is that you get a companion once you get him back from the trainers because horses REALLY are herd animals.

 

[twentynine]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

I don't think you should start a new thread either. You've come a long way since that first post and I have enjoyed hearing how you're doing.

I must admit, I too was shocked by that first post thinking to myself 'good grief, this guy shouldn't have brought this horse home' but my thoughts have changed. Maybe add a statement on that very first post at the beginning for folks to keep reading about how far you've come.

My only wish is that you get a companion once you get him back from the trainers because horses REALLY are herd animals.

We are continuing to improve our "horse farm", we are on the look out for the right horse. Maybe we are not actively searching, but we are on the look out. However if we did get a second horse at this time, I would be under pressure again to get the stall improvement project completed. I have been under pressure since the first of the year to get things improved, safe and healthy for Cody. Kinda got the burn out syndrome going. Everyday off and every afternoon after work. Still have to disk each pasture, reseed with bermuda/bahia. Restretch all the fence that was installed when the ground was saturated. And get a permanent water line installed to the furtherest out pasture.

I will be speeking to the hay guy across the street next week to reserve my hay for the winter. And making plans as to where I will put my rye grass field in.​

 

[halo]

I havent read this whole thread, but if you're needing a companion for your horse and really arent set up for another horse, you could always get a mini pony. Check your local rescues, seems like theres always some throw away ponies needing homes. I have a mini gelding, and I use him for company for my race horses when they come home. They dont take much to keep fat and happy, and big horses love them.

 

[twentynine]

Bug spray issues continue.

I am using a product called Bug Buster comes in a quart size purple spray bottle. Seems to do a very good job, claims two weeks of repelent duration, we are actually making about 10 - 12 days.

After the first initial treatment with the spray bottle, and him going absolutely bezerk, I used a cup and sponge, wiped it on. Well, he still got upset, maybe not to the degree of when using the spray bottle but still upset. Difference is that I had to be in close contact with him to sponge it on. While I have a littel more experience (just a little) I ain't so danged sure of myself as to close myself up with him, and him going bonkers. Even if he didn't mean it he could knock me through the wall.

So I have been tieing him on a short line to a concreted in 4X4 post, I allow him to sniff the bug juice, let him react. When he calms down I let him sniff it again, let him react. He calms, he reacts, this goes on maybe 1/2 dozen times before he remains calm enough for me to close up to him. Then when I touch him with the sponge the first time, it's on again. So I start with touch him, he reacts, calms, I touch him again, he reacts, calms and I touch again. This goes usually a couple 3 times, and his reactions are never to the extent of the initial reactions. Eventually he calms enough for me to approach, close up to him and apply the bug juice. Now I have to add, he is only just barely calm, and not relaxed, so I never ever go to sleep on the job.

Yesterday, Friday, bug spray day again. I figured if he was going to cut up and act an idiot any way, I may as well just go ahead and use the sprayer. So I caught him, he is still an easy catch, most of the time. Tied him up close to the post. Brought out the bottle, let him get a sniff. Sure enough ears went back, head came up, and he started dancing around a bit, nothing real bad, but moving around the post. I was carefull to keep the post betwext me and him. Well, I played the smell, react, calm game for 3 or 4 evolutions before he calmed enough for me to give the sprayer a try. Now mind you I DID NOT SPRAY HIM with the first blast, I turned away from him and sprayed out into the world. HOLY CRUD! He reacted, but I stayed with it. I had to repeat this evolution about 10 times before I felt confident enough to close with him to actually apply spray to him.

Got it done quickly after that, with minimal reaction from him. After all was done I gave him his treat, pieces of apple, and I figured all was well.

But do you guys know that this horse carries a grudge! He will not even accept a treat from me today!

Got to add that while all this is going on I am talking, humming, whispering, squeeking, cush-cushing in a slow even voice, but it doesn't seem to help or hinder, at all. I have tried altering my stance, like lowering my head, slumping shoulders, turning 1/4 away from him, no help.

Currently I am evaluating the drip on stuff, for use when the bug busted bottle is empty. Any opinions?

Critique?

Suggestions?

I have tried the rag with bug spray hanging in the stall deal. He goes right in the stall eats his grub and leaves as always. It is only when I am actually attempting to apply spray on him that he does the idiot stuff.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Hmm...wonder if he needs to be desensitized completely before you continue with the spray bottle. Are you able to get to his legs and rub him up and down completely? Or does he dance around even when you pet him and feel him on his legs?

 

[Kansaseq]

Ropo may be right. Have you ever sacked him out with a plastic bag?

 

[twentynine]

As far as putting my hands on him----- without the bug spray. I can touch him as much or anywhere I want, at anytime. He is pretty desensitized. Most any given day I can walk out into the pasture, give him a little whistle, he walks right up to me and I can pet, touch or rub him as much as I want. With no halter, rope or any other restraint. I can usuall lay my hand on the side of his neck and walk him where ever I want him to go. I have seen his previous owners pull his tail and one of their kids hang off his neck, all with him standing there looking absent minded. I have thrown hay twine over his neck and allowed both ends to hang down, he acts like he is hog tied, will not move if that twine is over his neck.

I have used the Clinton Anderson DVDs with the lessons on desinsetizing a horse using stick and string, and rope. I can throw the rope over his head, behind his legs, I can touch him all over with a stick and string. His head won't even come up.

But this bug spray stuff is a whole nuther world. I tried using the same technique to desinsetize him, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on him. Honestly if he wasn't a horse, I'd swear he was messin with me. The bug spray doesn't burn because I have purposely sprayed it on my arm to make sure it didn't. It don't smell bad. I make sure not to get it in his eyes, or nose. I swear he acts just like a spoiled child when you try to make them do something they don't want to do. Then he pouts when it's all over.

 

[twentynine]

Quote:
"sacked him out with a plastic bag?"

Please explain!

 

[Kansaseq]

Basically, tie a white, crinkly trash bag to the end of a lunge whip. Tie up the horse, show him the bag, then shake it around a bit, rub it on his body, all over. Let him be scared, then realize it's not going to eat him. Repeat. That's an oversimplistic explanation. Someone else can probably better explain it.