Need HORSE HELP- <<UPDATED - PICS pg 3>>

[Bec]

This is a sensitive subject for me because when my thoroughbred was 6 (now 20) we had gone to a show and he did not want to load to come home. I had lots of helpers (from that stable) and they were not nice helpers. To make a long story short, After my parents telling them to leave the area and let us handle it, it took us 6 hours to get him back on the trailer and to this day, he WILL NOT load easy because of what they had done to him mentally. It involved very similar activities that were used with Tessie, ropes, smacking, yelling, pulling and all this yee-hahing. If you are not careful, you will mess them up for life. I didn't care how long it took to get him in there, as long as I got him in there safely and kindly.

I had a QH that wouldn't load when we were out on a trail ride and just like katrinag, I rode him home. He usually loaded right up but for some reason that day he said noo way! Another trail rider that was there (that I did not know) suggested whacking his back end with a shovel

Some people will try anything to get a horse to load and not think twice about the effect it will have on the poor animal.

I would definitely ask her previous owner what kind of trailer she is used to being trailered on and try that. Some horses are just picky. I have had many that would only get in ones with ramps and other who would only step up into with no ramp.

 

[Foxhound lady]

Some horses like stock trailers other closed trailers its all about prefences. My mare (Arabian) was so good about pretty much everything except closed horse trailers. She would absolutely refuse to go into one. She was never hit, smacked or forced into one.

When she was younger we worked on trailering by setting a stock trailer next to her stall with the door opening leading into it. We put her feed in it and she would strech her neck all the way to get to it without getting into the trailer. When the barn manager woke up one morning she was eating her hay in the trailer. He said it was one of the happiest moments of his life. He liked to give her and another horse coffee in the morning.

Last time I loaded her into a trailer it took about an hour and this was a 17 yrs old mare who had been trailer maybe 5 times in her life that I know of. She was coaxed in with cookies and when that didnt work we did the walk quickly into the trailer with not a hesition. I ending up sitting on the edge of the trailer telling her she was such a sweet little girl and she stepped right on.

Some horses like routines they know that when thier boots and blankets go on then trailers come next. Have her old owner come out and do her routine before getting her into the trailer and let her do it. Do not let someone force her into a trailer by hitting or scare tactics this will make it even harder to get her in one later on.

 

[needmorechickens!]

Quote:
Tessie is a VERY good horse...it is my fault for trusting someone that I didn't know to come pick her up.
Today while my daughter was walking her, the next door neighbor's teenage son started riding his LOUD motorcycle, my big dog was barking, my little dog was running around like she had never been out of the house before, the chickens were crowing and squawking, my husband was clanging some metal together, and my son was jumping his ramp on his bicycle. My daughter was amazed that Tessie payed no attention to any of it.
I don't think it was a bad idea at all. We're gonna be great together.

~Rebecca

 

[verthandi]

It does sound like you got a good one. Your daughter must be in heaven! (and you too, from the sounds of it). Best wishes with Tessie!

 

[Bec]

needmorechickens! :

I don't think it was a bad idea at all. We're gonna be great together.

~Rebecca

I agree

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
I agree, from the picture, looks like the mare is pulling daughter hard to go forward......no worse having a sore elbow on the horse's neck everytime you lead her everywhere. Good lead manners are a must! Its an important groundwork for any horses, any age to start with.

I think you will do alright with Tessie. It takes time to get to know the horse.

Good luck!

 

[MrsCountryChick]

I also think it makes a BIG difference that Tessie came from your friend who you trusted to know her background.

Being a newby to horses & getting one from an ad somewhere leaves you having to trust words from a person you don't even know. Good Luck with your NEW Family Member.

We all have to start out as newbys when we own a new animal.

 

[CountryMom]

Sounds like you have advice coming from all angles here. I agree with some and disagree with others, but I won't go into all of that right here. However, one thing I think hasn't been stated clearly enough here is that your horse needs to be treated like a horse - not a dog, not a puppy, not a kid and surely not a baby. I have retrained horses ruined by people treating a horse this way. I have consulted and trained many a new owner on how to act and treat a horse. I am not saying you have to treat a horse badly, but you need to learn their language and how to be a leader. If your horse is pulling you around or pushing you around you need to take charge and make that horse back away from you. If you get stuck on how pretty and sweet your horse is and forgive all her ill manners then you are just reinforcing those ill manners. A good horseman or woman is one that has respect from their horse because they speak to them in their language. Never EVER put human emotions on a horse. They just do not think or act like us!

Please PLEASE don't get into feeding your horse treats by hand. I had one lady I had to ban from feeding treats because she would sneak in a treat after I had worked her mare and the mare was horrible. It was like she was rewarding her ill temper. And she was one mare I had a real issue with biting (amoung many other problems.)

Please, find a real trainer - one that has recommendations. Ask around and don't just go with the first stable facility you can find. If you want an expert in a field for something life changing you surely wouldn't go with the cheapest or the closest. There are a lot of people out there that call themselves trainers and will rip you off blindly and ruin your horse. And a trainer without a trailer would seriously concern me. A trainer that sends uneducated handlers to load a horse would raise many red flags for me. Your horse can be messed up with a bad trainer, but you or your family members can be seriously hurt with bad advice and bad training. Not to mention that there are no 100% safe horse no matter what.

A first horse can be a wonderful experience if you have good direction and good directors. Best and safe wishes on your new horse.

 

[needmorechickens!]

Quote:
Thanks for the tips CountryMom -
We did already establish the "no treats by hand rule". We have a special place where we lay her treat for her to pick it up.
The lady who helped us give her shots helped us with her rushing us during the walk, we haven't got her fixed yet, but we are working on it.

Also everytime we would walk her and stop, Tessie thought she should eat grass and it was hard to pull her up. We bought a rope halter for a little more control, and if that didn't help we popped her nose with the end of the rope when she went down for grass without permission. That pretty much stopped the unauthorized grass eating.
As for the trainer, we would LOVE to have one and I am trying to find someone I can afford. It's hard to get a word of mouth recommendation around here because so many people here are just good ol' country people that have always had horses and don't use trainers....but I have found a couple of possibilities that I am working on.
Thanks everyone!
~Rebecca

 

[reallemons1]

Once you get a corral up that you can work Tessie safely, learning will come naturally. Not that you don't need a trainer, but you can practice with her and not worry so much about her getting away. She will relax too and not be pulling to the next great grass spot. As far as the trailer incident, sounds like those people were in a hurry. Tessie maybe is feeling a little insecure about her new surroundings and felt unsure about loading. Then when they pushed her so harshly she refused. Horses are chlostrophpbic (sp). When cornered they fight or run. Prey animal. She maybe needs a stock trailer and someone to (carefully) go in with her and reassure her. Horses need a leader. Learn to be her 'head mare' and she will follow or do anything you ask. She sounds like a wonderful horse. Keep learning and enjoy her!