Monday, November 27, 2006

The best way to get acquainted with a horse (that nobody wants to do)

When I first  bought Blue, he wasn't really thrilled about having a new owner.  He'd been out to pasture for three years with nobody bothering him.  When I first tried to climb in the saddle, he'd cow-kick.  If I got near his front end, he'd strike with his front leg.

Yep,  this is the same old Blue I ride often now.  The horse I have bonded with so thoroughly for three years, and kiss on the soft, velvety part of his nose almost every day.  I'm not a cowgirl, either.  I wasn't raised with horses. 

How did such a cowardly person as I manage to make friends with such a spoiled horse? 

I took a chair to his pen, turned my back to him, and read a book.

Funny thing about horses:  if they think you aren't worried about them, they'll break their silly necks trying to be your friend.

The only investment on your part is time:  You must be willing to sit in that chair, ignoring the horse, for however long it takes.

It amazes me how few people are willing to devote that kind of time to establishing a relationship.

And then they wonder what is wrong with their horse.  (or their spouse, or child, or friend.)  All they really want is for you to be there, not demanding anything of them.  Just your presence, the knowledge that you care.  Maybe horses aren't so much different than people.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Mosie...I never heard of this...
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

Yep, the best way to catch a horse that doesn't want to be caught is to turn your back on them and act like you don't want anything to do with them <LOL> It takes patience though, and a lot of people are in too much of a hurry to take things in the horses timeframe.
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Very, very interesting ... and thought provoking.  Thanks for this.  Judy

Anonymous said...

You are so clever!!!  How did you ever figure this out?  I never knew this.  
Is it true that a horse won't sleep well if he doesn't have another horse in his sights?  I heard that they don't feel comfortable and safe enough to sleep if they are alone.
Blue is lucky to have you!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Seems like you did the right thing with Blue. You have him right where you want him now. Such a sweet creature. Helen

Anonymous said...

Yep, It works for babies too!   Anne

Anonymous said...

wow....now thats a thought....barbara

Anonymous said...

That is a very good point you made there and so true...I can just see you sitting there with that book.   Hope you have a great Tuesday !  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Never thought of that but it makes sense.  Just a small investment to get such a great return!

Deb

Anonymous said...

Isn't that the truth?   He was a real brat when you got him.  Just shows what some patience does.
Traci

Anonymous said...

You are right. Whether it is animals or humans, they want the companionship. I only see some of my grandchildren a few times a year, but I learned long ago too never overwhelm them with kisses until I had sat in the same room with them for awhile and just smiled at them occassionally and waited for them to come to me.  Also my dear husband just wanted me in the same room with him even if I was reading and he was watching tv.

Anonymous said...

Thats a great analogy, I like that way of thinking.  You are right.  Yesterday I didnt coddle Derby like I usually do while I was feeding and watering.  He tends to want to try to get a bit of chicken feed in here and there and can get quite pushy, so I carried the lunge whip and he kept his distance from my personal space.  Thing is, soon as I didnt have my full attention on him, he was edging ever closer...grazing as if saying "Whaat...I am just eating grass"  They crave that attention if you don't give it to them, and by the same token, if you are just "there" for them, that seems to be enough...most of the time. I will have to try the reading the book thing and see how he does...

Anonymous said...

Precious is like that. I can go out  in the field and ignore her and she will be nosing my back trying to get me to turn around and rub her.

Anonymous said...

I always said your interactions with your horses was an example I could follow with people.
http://journals.aol.com/magran42/FazeDaze/

Anonymous said...

Wise words!  Pete's best horse ever was Hank.  He had been abused at one point in time.  Pete would go out and sit by him, every evening from getting in from work until dark or after.  He kicked Pete once.  Pete, kicked him back with a steel toe boot and then they stared at each other.  Then each turned and walked their own way.  Never happened again.  Hank could sure lay 'em down!!  He was just a huge quarter horse.  But he had taught his self to do a shuffling gate that was smooth as glass and fast.  When he fell ill with encephilitis when it first came to this area, people came by and called on that horse like he was a person.  They were famous among their peers.  He's buried beneath the grape arbor.   -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

That is so true about horses. I used to do my homework in Runaways stall. He would nuzzle the back of my neck the whole time, the nosy boy.