Totally new to horses. I have read a lot so far, but still have a few questions..
We have a small cattle operation breeding show cattle. I have discouraged the wife from buying a horse for many years. I knew they were a lot of work. (I have a whole new perspective now just how much). I should have done research and been more educated in her purchase, but I failed. Last spring she bought a 10 year old mare.
This horse is head shy. Pretty bad too. Didn't know what that meant until it came time to bridle her. She's been vetted and is fine physically. I have been working a lot on the head shy. I have progressed to being able to rub her left ear. She still hates it and bends away while I am doing it. I brought the plastic bag into the round pen yesterday. Just tied it on a stick and attached it to the side of the pen. I left it there and would walk her up close to it. She FREAKS on noises like that. She hates the velcro on my gloves. I figured I'd use the bag on the next training day. Working her in the round pen. Longing ,then rubbing and working on the head, longing more,etc... Once bridled she rides well. She is a HUGE fight to bridle. She works with a hackemore. She picks up her feet well and stands for farrier.
I have noticed that she has NO respect for my wife. She throws her head and is just skittish. She will longe for the wife, but as for the wife touching the head, forget it.
In the barn today, she didn't want anything to do with me. Would walk away, turn her head etc. Its raining and muddy, so no round pen today.
Guess my questions are:
1) Will she EVER get past the head shy. I hate to fight the bridle fitting.
2) will she ever be more social ? I hate that she walks away.
3) Will she ever respect the wife. I realize she is going to have to work LONG and hard to make progress. This is an issue right now because of lack of time. I train most everyday because I work 2nd shift. Its dark and not safe for the wife when she gets home.
We have a second horse that we bought that is younger (9). She has no issues at all. She's a big puppy dog. Rides great, takes her bridle easy,etc..Just a perfect horse.
We are taking these 2 to a trainer more for our learning. Doing basics, like riding circles,weave patterns, etc...
Would I benefit from sending this other horse to a professional ? My farrier has offered to train her at his place. He thinks she needs some intense riding and a week or two of "back to basics" and a "who's in charge" kind of time..
Thanks in advance...
We have a small cattle operation breeding show cattle. I have discouraged the wife from buying a horse for many years. I knew they were a lot of work. (I have a whole new perspective now just how much). I should have done research and been more educated in her purchase, but I failed. Last spring she bought a 10 year old mare.
This horse is head shy. Pretty bad too. Didn't know what that meant until it came time to bridle her. She's been vetted and is fine physically. I have been working a lot on the head shy. I have progressed to being able to rub her left ear. She still hates it and bends away while I am doing it. I brought the plastic bag into the round pen yesterday. Just tied it on a stick and attached it to the side of the pen. I left it there and would walk her up close to it. She FREAKS on noises like that. She hates the velcro on my gloves. I figured I'd use the bag on the next training day. Working her in the round pen. Longing ,then rubbing and working on the head, longing more,etc... Once bridled she rides well. She is a HUGE fight to bridle. She works with a hackemore. She picks up her feet well and stands for farrier.
I have noticed that she has NO respect for my wife. She throws her head and is just skittish. She will longe for the wife, but as for the wife touching the head, forget it.
In the barn today, she didn't want anything to do with me. Would walk away, turn her head etc. Its raining and muddy, so no round pen today.
Guess my questions are:
1) Will she EVER get past the head shy. I hate to fight the bridle fitting.
2) will she ever be more social ? I hate that she walks away.
3) Will she ever respect the wife. I realize she is going to have to work LONG and hard to make progress. This is an issue right now because of lack of time. I train most everyday because I work 2nd shift. Its dark and not safe for the wife when she gets home.
We have a second horse that we bought that is younger (9). She has no issues at all. She's a big puppy dog. Rides great, takes her bridle easy,etc..Just a perfect horse.
We are taking these 2 to a trainer more for our learning. Doing basics, like riding circles,weave patterns, etc...
Would I benefit from sending this other horse to a professional ? My farrier has offered to train her at his place. He thinks she needs some intense riding and a week or two of "back to basics" and a "who's in charge" kind of time..
Thanks in advance...