Alright, this is Sour.
(age 1)
(almost two years later)
alright well before anyone decides to comment, or even read on to see my question, I'd like to ask you to go to Sour's page and atleast skim over her story. Reading it will give you a look into why she is having the problems that she is, and hopefully help you give me advice that will work. =]
Sour and I have come a very, very long way in the past two years. I mean, even between these two pictures you can tell just how much more willing she is to accept me by her expression and stance. However, we still have quite a few problems that I'm hoping you guys can help me with. I chose to put my thread under 'natural horsemanship' because I dont want ANY, and I repeat ANY advice that includes desensatizing her by force or inflicting unneccesary fear or mistrust. Thanks for understanding.
Ok. So heres the list of our issues.
1. Will not allow me on her right side to do anything at all.
this is mostly because no one worked with her when she was young, and she needs to train that side of her brain to accept me. I'd like some ideas on how to build her confidence in me on that side, and allow me to work with her to overcome her fears. I don't want to 'tie her up so she can't turn around, and force my hands all over her until she stops fighting,' I want this to be a willing thing. Any suggestions?
2. Foot Shy.
I've gotten her to willingly allow me to move my hands as low as her knee- but only on her left side. I'm afraid that she might come up with some foot issue if I can't properly care for them. Is there a good way to make her not mind as much? At the moment she swings around and threatens to kick, or gives me a warning nip when I touch her feet.
3. Will NOT join up with me.
Im not sure why this is. She just absolutely hates the idea of accepting me as the alpha mare. I've run her at a good canter for as long as an hour before- but she was getting so exausted that it wasnt safe to keep going, and I had to stop. As soon as I did- she collapsed on the ground and laid there for a good ten minutes. I was really worried. Is there something else I can do to get her to 'join me?'
If any of you have ideas for any of these things- let me know! =] thanks
(age 1)
(almost two years later)
alright well before anyone decides to comment, or even read on to see my question, I'd like to ask you to go to Sour's page and atleast skim over her story. Reading it will give you a look into why she is having the problems that she is, and hopefully help you give me advice that will work. =]
Sour and I have come a very, very long way in the past two years. I mean, even between these two pictures you can tell just how much more willing she is to accept me by her expression and stance. However, we still have quite a few problems that I'm hoping you guys can help me with. I chose to put my thread under 'natural horsemanship' because I dont want ANY, and I repeat ANY advice that includes desensatizing her by force or inflicting unneccesary fear or mistrust. Thanks for understanding.
Ok. So heres the list of our issues.
1. Will not allow me on her right side to do anything at all.
this is mostly because no one worked with her when she was young, and she needs to train that side of her brain to accept me. I'd like some ideas on how to build her confidence in me on that side, and allow me to work with her to overcome her fears. I don't want to 'tie her up so she can't turn around, and force my hands all over her until she stops fighting,' I want this to be a willing thing. Any suggestions?
2. Foot Shy.
I've gotten her to willingly allow me to move my hands as low as her knee- but only on her left side. I'm afraid that she might come up with some foot issue if I can't properly care for them. Is there a good way to make her not mind as much? At the moment she swings around and threatens to kick, or gives me a warning nip when I touch her feet.
3. Will NOT join up with me.
Im not sure why this is. She just absolutely hates the idea of accepting me as the alpha mare. I've run her at a good canter for as long as an hour before- but she was getting so exausted that it wasnt safe to keep going, and I had to stop. As soon as I did- she collapsed on the ground and laid there for a good ten minutes. I was really worried. Is there something else I can do to get her to 'join me?'
If any of you have ideas for any of these things- let me know! =] thanks