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Training a 15 year old horse!

4K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  hoopla 
#1 ·

Hi my name is Erica ,

I just started riding again after 30years.

On Feb 12th , my husband and I decided we were going to go and get Guinness, he is a 14H , 15 year old Palomino Quarter Horse.

He is very smart!

How can I teach to pick up his hind legs to clean his hoofs without kicking?

How can I teach him to not be so nervous and jumpy on the wash rack?

All in all he really is a good boy!

I am sure all these things are very new to him...so I know I need to have a lot patience and spend a lot time proving to him he can trust me.

Just really want him to love me...and see he can be at piece knowing I will always take good care of him!
 
#2 ·
Horses need leaders and that's what you need to learn to be and do. You need to know how to confidently and consistently manage and handle him so he trusts you.

You'd be best advised to find a trainer who can work with you so that you can develop skill and confidence to work with the horse.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Training

Hi Hoopla,

Really, not the answer I was looking for!

I feel with time and effort on both our parts we will learn to understand each other feelings.

I do not think I need a trainer to teach my horse how to stand on a wash rack or pick up his feet.

Was just looking for someone to give me a few tips to try and make it easier!

Thanks so much for your advise!!!!
 
#13 ·
Hi Hoopla,

Really, not the answer I was looking for!

I feel with time and effort on both our parts we will learn to understand each other feelings.

I do not think I need a trainer to teach my horse how to stand on a wash rack or pick up his feet.

Was just looking for someone to give me a few tips to try and make it easier!

Thanks so much for your advise!!!!
Perhaps if you tell us what you want to hear it would save everyone lots of time :wink:

More seriously though, you can't be a leader to a horse if you're not confident and consistent, firm and fair and you can't be all those things if you're not sure what you're doing.

The fact that you're posting saying you've not even ridden in 30 years and when you did ride the horses were trained makes me concerned that you think you don't need the support of a trainer who can work with you.

Green + green = black and blue

However you're asking about a 15 year old horse. Not a youngster who has a right to not know and not be trained.

I'm presuming the horse has just had a change in his environment and just moved to be with you. If that's the case then he'll be uncertain and unfamiliar at best. If he REALLY doesn't know how to lift his feet without kicking at aged 15, then trust me, YOU have a problem because you may just have acquired a spoilt horse and if that's the case then you really are best advised to get help before you get hurt and the problem escalates so the horse becomes difficult to manage.

You clearly have the horse's best interests at heart and you've an opportunity to get it right and help him settle in and be well behaved.
 
#4 ·
It is really all about patience and repetition. When I first got my mare she give a little kick when you picked up her back feet but nothing major so I just constantly picked them up......I also would take a dressage whip and tap the leg of the foot I wanted her to pick up and I would do it on her back feet until she would stop kicking when I asked for it THEN i rewarded her. She also was TERRIFIED of the trailer so over a week or two period I took her down and walked her around the trailer until she relaxed and would get closer and closer until she hoped right on. So just walk him around the wash rack until he is calm then slowly get closer and closer until he's in then walk him right out praising him and just do this until he accepts it. :lol:
 
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#7 ·
guiness, I think you DO need a trainer. You haven't told us about your horse handling background. When I was about 11yo I started paying to rent a horse 1x/week (with my allowance/chore money). From about March to November I took a horse out for an hour every Saturday, and rode the trails in a local forest preserve, solo. (Just needed a license--things have sure changed!) After about 4 years of this I took 2 years of Hunt Seat/Jumping lessons 1x/week at the same stable. We learned and were expected to brush out, pick feet, and tack up, as well as learn to ride. I KNEW what a well behaved horse was expected to do.
If you do not know these things your horse experience will be short-lived. A good trainer can train YOU so that you can have a good relationship with your new horse. It won't break your bank account to hire one for a few months. If you horse's behavior worsens in your care than he is less sellable and you send him down a path where fewer people want to buy him. =/
 
#8 ·
Hi Corporal,

Thank you for your advise ...

When I was younger it just seemed that my horses had already been trained and ready for what was expected of them.

As far as my new horse ..we are trying to adapt to each other.

I do not know his little quarkyness yet.

Just wanted a few good tips like Flicagirl and BlueSpark suggested.

I will keep you all posted ...

Also, I actually do have people at the barn that are helping me train my horse to pick up his feet and stand on the wash rack ...they are so sweet and help me each day!

I am very dedicated to my horse and spend many hours after work and weekends at the barn just bonding, riding , brushing and trying to understand him.

Thanks again!
 
#9 ·
I think its great that you want to spend time with your horse and bond. It's an important part of horse ownership. The reason I think you may be giving horse people the vibe of needing a trainer is because sometimes horses can be viewed as loving, and majestic and caring. They can be, but usually they just need leadership. A horse kicking out when getting their feet done is actually pretty dangerous for someone who hasnt been around them a lot lately. I had taken 10 years off riding, and I had to start from the ground up again. It does make you a beginner again. I forgot terminology, fitting equipment, and I was intimidated at first.
I also got a trainer. To help both me and my horse. They sense if your tense or unsure, and they WILL take advantage of you. It can be extremely dangerous. We aren't trying to belittle your love or knowledge, we just all know better. We are just trying to help.
 
#10 ·
Hi LetAGrlShowU,

Thank you for your kind words. You are right they are big animals and can really be dangerous if we do not know how to react or respond!

Does anyone know of a trainer that will come to your barn and work with you and the horse!

Thanks
 
#11 ·
Brushing and bonding and spending time together is great, but does not equal respect and leadership. Because you have been out of the horse life for 30 years, you are, essentially, coming into this green. You can't teach him what you don't know. The fact of the matter is that direct, hands on assistance from someone who is able to be there with both of you "in the moment" is going to be much more beneficial and helpful that random advice you get from people online that are not able to see what is happening. The issue goes beyond the wash rack and hoof picking, and that is what people are trying to convey to you.
 
#12 ·
I understand you want you and your horse to have a special bond... and you are concerned that if you reprimand your horse won't like you as much. This is incredibly common with new horse owners. Something you have to understand is NOT being a leader will make them resent you, it's scary and stressful for them, and they take charge. Horses don't -usually- like to be the leader.

Set a definite line down. You wouldn't let a child walk all over you, ignore you and be completely disrespectful, don't let your horse do it either. It's dangerous. You and your horse will have a better bond and be much closer if you are the leader and your horse isn't confused.

Work on letting your horse know you are in charge. You don't have to be mean, just firm. You can still love on your horse, but on YOUR terms. When you do these things, all of the others will fall into place. The feet, the wash stall, etc, as long as it's not a pain issue. Treat the problem, not the symptoms. :)

And like the others, I agree about getting a trainer. It will really be invaluable to you. I don't know what I would do without mine! You won't constantly be questioning yourself, and you can learn as your horse learns. :)
 
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