So as little Cowboy "Legs" grows up I decided to make a thread for it. Today he's discovered he can run away from Day Star haha! He's so energetic for only 6 days old!
He is such a big boy for 6 days, "Legs" fits him perfectly for the time being. I don't know why, but I always think of him as "Cowlegs"
When can I come pick him up? LOL I just LOVE him!!!
That last pic of him is adorable, the background is just right.
So maybe I missed this, but what are you planning on doing with "Legs"? Are you going to sell him or keep him to train?
Little Cowboy "Legs" again. He has so much personality! I LOOOOVE his mane right now. Haha! It's so short and fluffy.
His mom, Day Star, is AMAZING with him. She is so patient and is always putting him before her needs. Ugh I just love seeing them together.
Does anyone have any tips on halter breaking? He is really scared of halter being put on right now. When he's laying down though I have no trouble. Any tips on how to make him NOT afraid of the halter?
To make him less afraid of the halter, just put it on him and leave it on for an hour or three. Stay out with the horses where you can keep an eye on him, though. Don't mess with it or make any big deal of it. He'll get used to it.
When you're ready to start teaching him to lead, the easiest way is to have someone lead DayStar while you lead "Legs" after her. Use the lead to slow him down - keeping him at your shoulder. Don't pull if he balks; he'll choose to follow Mama if she gets too far away. Once he's used to staying with you and trusts you to go where it's safe (toward Mama), then start making serpentine turns, using your shoulder to "push" him off, then "letting" him follow you back toward straight.
Best to get started on this method very soon while Mama is still the place he most wants to be, though . Pretty soon he'll be a bit more fractious and willing to argue about where he wants to go. It's a whole different set of lessons when they get older.
Thank you so much! Our last baby Romeo wasn't halter broke when he was 1 1/2 so it was pretty difficult teaching him. I'm really glad he was a fast learner though haha! He didn't exactly fight against the lead line, he just wouldn't move. Eventually he got the idea and leads like a dream! I wasn't there to teach him to lead when he was younger and no one was able to catch him. I want to get Cowboy done before he starts really fighting.
I always tried to start my babies with this method around day 3 for getting used to wearing/putting on/taking off halter and day 4 or 5 for following Mama around. By using the lead to slow and the shoulder to push you rarely have to deal with the balk later.
You may, however, have to deal with panic runs and sprints now and later as he gets more cocky. That's when having control of the head = control of the body comes in to play and that's a whole lot easier when you outweigh them! But again - you are using the lead to turn/slow/stop, never 'pull.' You don't ever want to get into a tug-of-war because eventually he will outweigh you and win that battle - every time!
If he gets enough of the lead from you that he can plant his feet or flee another direction, step to the side a bit for the leverage to turn him so he's facing you again. If he stops, move in the general direction you want him to go at an approach angle, reeling in the lead. If he flees again, repeat the turn/stop, and always approach at an angle so backing away isn't his easiest escape route.
If he learns to flee by backing, he'll eventually win - you don't want him to EVER know that! LOL. Backing should be something you teach him to do at your request. NEVER his idea!
Halter breaking this boy is not easy but he's definitely learning faster than I expected! We ended our session with taking the halter on and off until he was totally fine with it. Hopefully he'll be halter broken soon! He's so funny though, haha! When we first started he was throwing tantrums and just flopping on the ground and laying there hahaha! I love him so much. ^_^
The chestnut is Tess, we've had her the longest which is 9 years (she's 11 currently). She's our speed demon Arabian with so much love. But she's also the alpha mare so Day Star doesn't bother with her. But Cowboy on the other hand thinks he can stand up to her sometimes. It's so cute!
His markings where kinda unexpected since both parents had a blaze. Lol! Definitely a throwback from either or both sides. But the star has a fine line under and it's crooked which he definitely got from his dad.
I chose Gun Smokin Cowboy because he's related to Mr. Gun Smoke the AQHA Hall of Fame horse.
Here are the photos from yesterday I didn't get around to uploading. Haha! Sorry about that guys.
Legs is doing really well and getting so big! It's insane that it's only been 10 days since he was born. Like WOW!! I'm going to make up a comparison photo of when he turns 2 weeks compared to a few hours old. AHHH! HE'S GROWING TOO FAST!!! I wish he could stay little forever. Haha! But then I wouldn't be able to ride him in shows in the future. :|
I've been having people guess at his height and I definitely think he's gonna be about 16hh when he's done growing. :O AAAANNNNDDDD I think he actually may be a palomino..
Looks like he keeps his mama on her feet! Are you sure you don't want my mare to babysit for a little bit? She loves baby anything.
Yikes, 16hh? I prefer small horses. I'm having a hard time accepting that my gelding will most likely be a little under 16hh:sad:.
Today he actually ran into the barn when Day Star was eating grass in another field haha! She had a mini heart attack when she realized he left. My poor girl. <3 He's so brave it's crazy! I definitely think he will be at least 16hh haha! I love big horses.
He is big. No wonder you were afraid she might have twins! And I think when they're about 3 or 6 months old (I can't remember the exact age now), you can measure from their coronet band to the middle of the knee to get an estimate on height. 15" = 15 hands, 15 1/2 " = 15.2 hands, etc.
I think you're right on the palomino. He looks too light to be chestnut to me.
I may try that when he gets about 4 or 5 months. Or I'll try each time haha! But yeah! He's HUGE!! People kept saying either that's twins or one BIG foal and I got a big foal! Hahaha! I'm happy with him nonetheless. He's such a cutie and super smart.
I also love bigger horses, even though I'm a shrimp, lol. He's brave huh? I guess that isn't all bad, and he reminds me of my friend's QH filly. She's two, but still!
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