Bonding

shepherd406 · 10-22-2009, 05:50 AM

I've had my mare for about 6 months now.

The first few weeks I spent a lot of time with her, mostly in the round pen.

Now it seems like all I do is grab her, brush her, ride her, rinse her, & put her away. Or load her up for a show.

I don't have much time during the week, but I'd like to get a better bond with her.

I feel like I'm closer with her pasture buddy than her, maybe it's just her personality.

Anyone have advice or some exercises that I can do, that won't take up a lot of time? Just stuff I can do during the week when I get a free moment of time.

Thanks much.

GottaRide · 10-22-2009, 06:04 AM

Look up Marv Walker's website and request The Bonder via e-mail.

Takes less time to "bond" with your than it takes to clean a bridle.

realfarmgirl · 10-22-2009, 06:05 AM

I like to spend some extra time grooming with my animals for bonding. I leave them loose in the stall, with fresh hay/feed that they can munch happily on, while I go through the stages of grooming in an un-hurried manner, taking time to just massage and scritch the "good" spots that my horse likes. I talk to them calmly, and take the few extra minutes just spending time with them.

shepherd406 · 10-22-2009, 07:44 AM

Thanks for the tips!

goldiesmom · 10-22-2009, 03:46 PM

Some mares are just like that, I went throught the same thing not to long ago! mine has days where she is very lovey and some days where she wants nothing to do with me

I recomend teaching something new, not in the saddle, maybe on the ground...like a trick or some de-spooking to work on trust building. I recently taught my mare how to give me a kiss on command (I do not recomend this for a biter

Or bring out something scary to her and get her over that fear, like a tarp! Get her used to having it rubbed all over her, walk her over it and everything! (for my mare it was one of those fuzzy duster things)
Or try to teach her some showmanship stuff! Trotting in hand, pivoting, squaring up and such! They all just take consistency, not necessarily a ton of time! Hope this helps! Good Luck!

shepherd406 · 10-22-2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks so much! I think it's about due time for some despooking. She was never spooky before, but lately she's been acting like she is.

mftx4 · 10-22-2009, 04:13 PM

Any and everything you can think of from the ground. My mare wouldn't let you near her ears when I bought her. We worked on lots of 'you and me' time, just being together. Grooming, going for walks, nothing important. I still don't just reach for her ears, but I've worked up to the point of being able to almost lay on her head. If you have an extra 10 minutes just be with her, rubbing, scratching and talking. They get to know your smell and the tone of your voice.

CrazyHorse · 10-22-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mftx4

Any and everything you can think of from the ground. My mare wouldn't let you near her ears when I bought her. We worked on lots of 'you and me' time, just being together. Grooming, going for walks, nothing important. I still don't just reach for her ears, but I've worked up to the point of being able to almost lay on her head. If you have an extra 10 minutes just be with her, rubbing, scratching and talking. They get to know your smell and the tone of your voice.

Excellent advice!

shepherd406 · 10-22-2009, 04:26 PM

I think I'm going to take this next show day off & just play with my pony

mftx4 · 10-22-2009, 04:32 PM

Yep, all work and no play, ain't no fun.

10-22-2009, 05:50 AM	#1
shepherd406 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 234 Images: 32 Blog Entries: 1	Bonding I've had my mare for about 6 months now. The first few weeks I spent a lot of time with her, mostly in the round pen. Now it seems like all I do is grab her, brush her, ride her, rinse her, & put her away. Or load her up for a show. I don't have much time during the week, but I'd like to get a better bond with her. I feel like I'm closer with her pasture buddy than her, maybe it's just her personality. Anyone have advice or some exercises that I can do, that won't take up a lot of time? Just stuff I can do during the week when I get a free moment of time. Thanks much. __________________ Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. ~Author Unknown

10-22-2009, 06:04 AM	#2
GottaRide Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Stiles Jct, WI Posts: 459 Images: 2	Look up Marv Walker's website and request The Bonder via e-mail. Takes less time to "bond" with your than it takes to clean a bridle. __________________ Cedar View Paint Horses Proud member of the Paint Club Home to ~ Catch Me Dreamin - 2007 APHA chestnut tobiano gelding Hanks Rainy Sky - 1998 black & white tobiano Paint gelding Megas Doctor Time - 2004 sorrel overo gelding

10-22-2009, 07:44 AM	#4
shepherd406 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 234 Images: 32 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks for the tips! __________________ Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. ~Author Unknown

10-22-2009, 03:48 PM	#6
shepherd406 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 234 Images: 32 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks so much! I think it's about due time for some despooking. She was never spooky before, but lately she's been acting like she is. __________________ Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. ~Author Unknown

10-22-2009, 04:26 PM	#9
shepherd406 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 234 Images: 32 Blog Entries: 1	I think I'm going to take this next show day off & just play with my pony __________________ Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground. ~Author Unknown

10-22-2009, 06:05 AM	#3
realfarmgirl Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: West Valley, NY Posts: 109 Images: 19	I like to spend some extra time grooming with my animals for bonding. I leave them loose in the stall, with fresh hay/feed that they can munch happily on, while I go through the stages of grooming in an un-hurried manner, taking time to just massage and scritch the "good" spots that my horse likes. I talk to them calmly, and take the few extra minutes just spending time with them.

10-22-2009, 03:46 PM	#5
goldiesmom Full Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 106 Images: 3	Some mares are just like that, I went throught the same thing not to long ago! mine has days where she is very lovey and some days where she wants nothing to do with me I recomend teaching something new, not in the saddle, maybe on the ground...like a trick or some de-spooking to work on trust building. I recently taught my mare how to give me a kiss on command (I do not recomend this for a biter Or bring out something scary to her and get her over that fear, like a tarp! Get her used to having it rubbed all over her, walk her over it and everything! (for my mare it was one of those fuzzy duster things) Or try to teach her some showmanship stuff! Trotting in hand, pivoting, squaring up and such! They all just take consistency, not necessarily a ton of time! Hope this helps! Good Luck!

10-22-2009, 04:13 PM	#7
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	Any and everything you can think of from the ground. My mare wouldn't let you near her ears when I bought her. We worked on lots of 'you and me' time, just being together. Grooming, going for walks, nothing important. I still don't just reach for her ears, but I've worked up to the point of being able to almost lay on her head. If you have an extra 10 minutes just be with her, rubbing, scratching and talking. They get to know your smell and the tone of your voice.

10-22-2009, 04:32 PM	#10
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	Yep, all work and no play, ain't no fun.

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