I have become owner of a gorgeous 14yo thoroughbred mare called Elly. I ADORE her.
She has been ridden occasioanlly over the last three years, she was living with my cousin.
For 6 years prior to that, she was ridden occasionally and had some Parelli training with my Aunty.
Her history is of a gentle, sweet natured horse who has never intentionally hurt anyone.
I know next to nothing about horses. I have been researching and working with the Parelli 7 Games program with her. She is doing really well. I can rub her all over and get her to put her head down.
I am afraid of her kicking me. I know I know, she will sense that. That itself concerns me because she might boot me because of it!
When she was being loaded into the float when we picked her up, I saw her kick her leg forward. She bucked and kicked back as well. I understand, she was scared and nervous as it was the first time she had been floated in three years.
She had been here about two weeks and my 16yo niece had ridden her, I led. My niece was getting back up on her and Elly kicked forward again, getting my niece right in the thigh. It left a mark but didn't really hurt. At the same time as her trying to mount Elly, a grinder started some distance away and I suspect she got spooked.
When I run my hands all over her, she is calm and relaxed. She doesn't bite, I can massage her lips, rub all over her face etc. Run my hands down her legs and over her rump. I just can't bring myself to cross around the back of her. The problem is me and my confidence obviously. I don't know her, or horses, well enough, to understand whether she will pick up on nervousness when I try to walk around the back of her and boot me for good measure!
Can someone please give me any advice on what I can/should/shouldn't do?
Just do it perhaps!! :lol:
Thanks!
She has been ridden occasioanlly over the last three years, she was living with my cousin.
For 6 years prior to that, she was ridden occasionally and had some Parelli training with my Aunty.
Her history is of a gentle, sweet natured horse who has never intentionally hurt anyone.
I know next to nothing about horses. I have been researching and working with the Parelli 7 Games program with her. She is doing really well. I can rub her all over and get her to put her head down.
I am afraid of her kicking me. I know I know, she will sense that. That itself concerns me because she might boot me because of it!
When she was being loaded into the float when we picked her up, I saw her kick her leg forward. She bucked and kicked back as well. I understand, she was scared and nervous as it was the first time she had been floated in three years.
She had been here about two weeks and my 16yo niece had ridden her, I led. My niece was getting back up on her and Elly kicked forward again, getting my niece right in the thigh. It left a mark but didn't really hurt. At the same time as her trying to mount Elly, a grinder started some distance away and I suspect she got spooked.
When I run my hands all over her, she is calm and relaxed. She doesn't bite, I can massage her lips, rub all over her face etc. Run my hands down her legs and over her rump. I just can't bring myself to cross around the back of her. The problem is me and my confidence obviously. I don't know her, or horses, well enough, to understand whether she will pick up on nervousness when I try to walk around the back of her and boot me for good measure!
Can someone please give me any advice on what I can/should/shouldn't do?
Just do it perhaps!! :lol:
Thanks!