Comments on: Horsemanship

By: Raven

Raven — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:52:55 +0000

My horse and me,

Thanks for your compliment–all of you have inspired and encouraged me. Thanks!

-Raven

By: my horse and me

my horse and me — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:12:42 +0000

You really have a way with writing things and I believe that working with horses definently strenghthens ones confidence, It certainly has strenghthened mine. :)

By: Raven

Raven — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:13:40 +0000

HorseFeathers,

I didn’t think that you were saying that, I just wanted to make sure that y’all knew. =)

-Raven

By: jadethemagicatgirlA.K.A Cap'n Mccoy 1# camp lazlo fan :)

jadethemagicatgirlA.K.A Cap'n Mccoy 1# camp lazlo fan :) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:44:36 +0000

i know wat u need! some help to be optimistic lik me! wat u can do is talk to yur parents to see if they have a solution,and tell your frends if they can help u train and practice with yur self esteem or confidence ,and wat u can do is lay down and b qiuet and calm for 5-10mins and close yur eyes and imagine yur somewhere with a good amount of ppl (for yur quality) and pretend in yur mine that yur talking to them! hope this helps bye bye =)

By: HorseFeathers

HorseFeathers — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:03:25 +0000

Raven- i never intended to say that you do kick your horse around. I know people have different methods of correction. I just have to realize that when one tactic doesnt work its time to switch to a different one. I get alot of help from my riding mentor.. shes the best. I wish you and your horse the best of futures. =0)
~HF

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:31:49 +0000

I agree with your advice, HorseFeathers, but I was talking about when the horse’s head was down and they were eating and ignoring you. I don’t kick Mickey hard at all, I just give him a hard prod when he starts eating. When I want him to eat, I will tug down on the leadrope and bring his head to the grass.
Don’t think that I go around kicking and hitting and hurting my horse. I don’t. I do these things because my instructor says that they’re okay, and I need to do them for Mickey’s training. I don’t like to do them, but it’s essential to his training. In time I won’t have to do them anymore.
Good tips, HorseFeathers-you sound like you really know what you’re talking about.

-Raven

By: HorseFeathers

HorseFeathers — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:25:27 +0000

Raven- ive never heard of the nose tactic.. how you would get your foot all the way up to the horse’s long neck is beyond my comprehension. Ive found that “bending” the horse works on some ocassions. Meaning you pull on the right side of the reins.. forcing the horse to bend its neck and body to turn in circles. This is a tactic used to put naughty horses into submission.
Its important though never to act out of frustration or anger.. because your horse will sence it and your trust and loyalty between each other will start to linger. You simply need to teach your horse who is in control and they should respect you for that eventualy.

~HF

By: Raven

Raven — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:47:12 +0000

Madelina-thanks, I’m glad that you liked it!
Nevada Sunshine- your riding horse sounds a lot like Mickey. I have exactly the same problem with grass-eating. Does she do it when you’re on her, too? My instructor told me that when they start eating grass when you don’t want them to, and if they resist when you try to pull their head up, what you should do is kick their nose. Not hard, just firm enough to kind of surprise them and make them not want to feel it again. Don’t think that I go around kicking and beating my horse, because I don’t. Just see if that would work.
One of the things that would frustrate me most was when Mickey would start eating grass when I was on him. I would try and try to pull his head up, but it wouldn’t work. He was stronger than me, and he knew it. If this happens, maybe you could talk to your instructor about using a crop, or a checkrein. I used a crop on Mickey, which really helped.
Sometimes Mickey will refuse to back too. He will tuck his chin and fight the bit, and refuse to back. What I do is sit back, pull back on the reins, and say Back. I don’t release the pressure until he’s obeyed me. This is only my way, your instructor might have a different way. This is just my opinion.

Good luck!

-Raven

By: HorseFeathers

HorseFeathers — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:23:41 +0000

Nevada Sunshine- I understand your situation in a sense. Maybe try submitting an ASK GHC blog so that alot of girls can see your question and help. Basicaly, you need to be able to control your horse on the ground before you get in the saddle. I’m still a beginner/intermediate at the english style myself (i like it better than western). You should be able to walk, trot, and back up with your horse while on the ground. While backing up the horse (from the ground) Stand facing the horse staring at its feet where you plan to back him or her up. Pull gently back with the reins, releasing and tugging. Tell the horse “back” in a firm tone. Ask your instructor for help whenever you need it, you need to show your horse who’s boss if he or she is being just plain stubborn.

~HF

By: Madelaina

Madelaina — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:06:16 +0000

It’s amazing how through this one blog I’m able to see the beauty of horsemanship. It’s always been something I’m interested in, something I would love to learn more of. Since I met horses, I’ve changed a lot too. I’ve become more confident, stronger and definitely happier, but I’m still a quiet person. There’s nothing wrong with being shy; that’s just who you are. And it’s great that it doesn’t get between you and horses. I hope all goes well with you and Mickey! Excellent blog, and congratulations on getting published. I’d love to hear more from you soon.