Liberty Horsemanship

Yeah, he has probably never been given a chance(trained) to see halters & ropes as Good Things.

I don't know about that, but I do know what he is like, he is a very smart horse, once he has the halter on, he is willing to do anything I know the owner who owned him previously, and the owner of him now, I have known the horse personally for the last 4-5 years (by personally, I mean working, and being around him often) just the last 2 years I was actually working with him, just me, and I got him to come when he saw me, he was actually looking forword to being caught, mainly because I would give him a treat once he was caught.

Hello Saddlebag

I am wondering if you know of any methods of keeping yourself safe when reading in your horses paddock if your solution mentioned in the above quote does not work. I have many times before attempted to read or study in my mares paddock, however whenever I sit down (on a chair or the ground) she immediately comes and stands almost directly over me. This is of course, rather unnerving so I would get up, and walk away. She would follow (nothing unusual about that, she is quite social) at the usual just-out-of-arms-reach distance, wait until I sat down again and stand over me in the same way. By close, I mean her hoovies next to my toes and her neck blotting out the sun close, and unless I get up and shoo her away, she will stand in this position for as long as I sit there, even into hours.

I don't believe she is doing this as a sort pushy-bargy behaviour, as she has a very good sense of space and has never rubbed on me, stepped or my toes or tried to push me. My personal theory (altho I am open to others) is that she is mimicking the behaviour of a pair of horses relaxing naturally, one lies down while the other stands and watches for possible predators. Obviously I am the one lying down.


Now, while I do not think my horse would ever intentionally stand on me, I am well aware that if she got a large fright it may be dangerous to be that close to her, especially as I am not paying attention her very much at all.
It is dangerous to be so close to such a large animal while in such a vulnerable position. I hold no objection to her wanting to hang out with me while I am in her paddock (this is, of course, the point of the exercise) however it would be nice if she wouldn't stand so close.

Moving away doesn't help, and I dislike sending her forcefully away as (like I mentioned earlier)I think she thinks she is doing me a favour in being so nearby. So I am wondering if you have any other ideas (since you have obviously read or relaxed in horses paddocks may times before) of how to both enjoy this time with my mare and still stay reasonably safe?

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to this statement. If I have misinterpreted your first comments in anyway I apologize, and if you need me to clarify on anyone of my points just ask and I will be happy to do so.

I'll pipe in... that 'if the horse gets too close you move' depends on what's going on - I might, but I might also ask *them* to move out of *my* space, rather than let them get in my face & dictate the moves. Not chasing them away, just 'swatting flies' or such to keep them at a 'respectful' distance.

I personally would think about what a 'safe distance' for your 'personal space' is (eg. Close enough to blot the sun is great if you ask me, on a hot day!) & be consistent about not allowing her closer. Depends on the horse too & mood they're in tho.

I think you're right & sound like she is respectful & considerate of you & I wouldn't personally worry about it

If you feel unsafe with her that close, you need to do something about it, for both of your peace of mind - she'll know you're a bit edgy about something too. But yes, it can be a fine line not to 'offend' them. I just tend to wave my arm(rope, whatever) around a bit - 'swat at flies', not directly at the horse, not only when she's too close, etc & they take it as it's meant - not grumpy with you, just that you'd better stay out of 'swatting' reach if you don't want to get *yourself* bumped.

Thank you loosie, for your advice. I will try it tomorrow night.

You can also keep a stick/crop handy and ask her to step back a bit. She's doing what horses do, keeping guard while you rest. If I lay on the lawn my shetland mare would slip thro the fence and stand guard over me. Have you noticed how relaxed she is while you read? If she were to partner with another horse she'd be standing quite close. With mine there is often barely 6" between them and that is their allowable space.

My horses do the same thing, sometimes both at the same time with me. I LOVE to sit in the pasture with them and just observe sometimes. My percheron will hover over me. She is ohhhh so slow and gentle when doing it. You barely see her move when she inches up to me. She will tower her neck over me. If she inches a little too close with her belly or chest, I put pressure there with my hand or foot and she moves, very slowly. Then my pinto will come over and the three of us just sit quietly. I can rub each of them while they hover quietly, and they will groom eachother at the same time. During this time, they have always been very respectful of me and eachother as well, there has never been jelousy, and any fireworks between the two of them are saved until I leave. I've always felt that they have accepted me as their herd leader. It is very relaxing to me. But, part of being the leader is calling the shots....so if I felt they were too close for my comfort, I would let them know it and they will adapt to whatever your wishes are.

Saddlebag, Oldhorselady, Yes she is very relaxed.

So what exactly is liberty horsemanship. I hear the term a lot often but not sure what it is.
Posted via Mobile Device

Liberty Horsemanship is like playing with your horse in a respectful manner. You can get a better relationship with your horse, along with more respect and trust because your horse can choose to stay with you, or leave. The ultimate goal for liberty is to get your horse with no halter in a larger area (a big pasture of something) and have it stay with you the entire time, but still have the choice to leave you. It is also like dancing with your horse, you can look it up on youtube.com