You are welcome. Here is another suggestion... I know it will be easier said than done. Try not to look at it in a negative manner... Be matter of fact. Leave your emotions out of it. Try and act like YOU have all of the answers when dealing with your horse (even if you have doubts, don't let them creep in). Be sure of yourself, and be positive.
They are amazing animals, horses. They read us. They read our body language and our intentions. If you act positive, sure of yourself and in control - that is what they read. That is good leadership, and they will follow. Especially true of Haflingers who I feel are VERY good at interacting and responding to humans.
My daughter's gelding in particular is very good at also displaying how he feels. I watch his eyes, his ears, his movement and his tail. I can feel when I am with him what is going on, especially when riding, as I feel his intentions all most. The slightest type of muscle movement means something. If he is agitated he gets prancy... If he is concerned, he will stiffen a bit and look towards something with the corner of his eye. It is my jub to keep his mind on me and what we are doing... I feel for his signals and he listens to mine.
My relationship with my mare is not quite as easy to describe... She is quieter and subtler in her non verbal communication with me. I have had her since she was 6 months old (and visited her often at her farm before that even, from the second day of her birth on). With her, it is... I want to say easier, but that is not it. It is more that we know one another so well. I know all she has been through in life, and know her life book of experiances, so to speak. Because of that, and because I have always been consistant with her, there have not been a lot of surprises. -knock on wood- It may very well be I have been pretty lucky so far too?! LOL!!
Sorry this ended up long. Sometimes I think that people can get too caught up in the step by step details and forget about all of the feeling that goes with it too. It is not just following the steps, it is how you learn to read your horse, and he you. It really is an exciting and wonderful thing to be able to communicate with a animal on that level - it is non verbal. It is about feeling and observation.
Your Haffiefriend,
~Kiola~
Brier, WA
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, Marilyn Mitchell <marilynmitchell61@...> wrote:
>
> No, Kiola, I've been haveing him "circle" me, but I will now try it the other way around. I say "circle" because they both just sort of pivot on their front. [sigh] I will bring a crop with me next time and try it the other way around.
>
> Thanks for the tips It's been like bear wrestling lately which is not good.
>
> Marilyn
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: kiolak <kiolak@...>
> To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Mon, February 8, 2010 8:31:45 AM
> Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: Lead Chains
>
>
> When you are turning him, do you turn him around you or do you walk into his shoulder and turn him away from you in a circle?
> You should always turn the horse away from you, so that you are teaching him to move out of your space, while also making him do more work because he was not doing as you had asked. (walking politely beside you) Carry a crop and tap his shoulder, telling him "over" if he is crowding during this.
> Always when using a chain or a rope halter, do not pull on it, but rather give short sharp corrections to get his attention. Pulling your horse on either of those will end you up on your bottom being drug through the dirt. They are stronger. It is up to you to not let them figure that out. Do not get into a pulling match. (same goes with riding and reins)
>
> Your Haffiefriend,
> ~Kiola~
> Brier, WA
>
> --- In haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com, Marilyn Mitchell <marilynmitchell61@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > I'm glad the topic of lead chains came up. When my trainer first told me to use a chain on Toby (almost 3 yo) I was horrified. It sounded so severe. I wouldn't do it.
> >
> > Also, I didn't take her advise to not let him graze because it was something I enjoyed doing with him and felt it provided him with complete nutrition.
> >
> > Now that he's full of energy from being confined he's been acting rather rude during leading. He already knows he doesn't have to respect the Hamilton halter. After learning he didn't have to respect the knotted rope halter, either, I got a chain.
> >
> > Now I need to learn how to use it properly. I turn him when he gets ahead of me, alternating with backing.
> >
> > Any other suggestions?
> >
> > Marilyn
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ____________ _________ _________ __
> > From: LB <llubrannon@ ...>
> > To: haflingerfriends@ yahoogroups. com
> > Sent: Mon, February 8, 2010 6:04:41 AM
> > Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: broken elbow - a valuable lesson
> >
> >
> > That stinks.
> >
> > Our guy was pushy when we got him. After he taught me that I had no leverage against him with a regular lead rope and halter, I used a chain attached to the end of my lead. And we did lots of practice leading. When he would try to pass me - or lead me -, I would stop him and back him up. We've had him almost a year and a half. I don't use the chain now unless he "tells" me that it's going to be that kinda day. He still will test sometimes but not as severe or often. It's just a question that he's asking - "Rules still the same?" And the answer is always "Yes".
> >
> > Good luck with your haffy. Keep us posted on how it's going.
> >
> > Lori
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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