[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by swansonspaints

I finally cried out his name and asked him to come back. He had learned to come to me in the roundpen; I had established myself as the comfort and rest area while working him using the above techniques. He slammed on the breaks, whipped around and traveled the 100 feet or so back down the river to me.

Awwww, that gave me goosebumps!!!

I took a telescoping umbrella (black) out there with me, he reared again like always, wham I opened that umbrella up, he is midway in the air, almost kills himself back paddling and that was the last time he reared on me ever.

that is hysterical!! I am tucking that little tidbit in the back of my mind, that's awesome.

Did you do anything after that to show him that umbrellas really are not the Devil? I'm just thinking to situations I would be in, at shows mostly, where someone might open up an umbrella, or already have one open, as protection from rain or sun.

[swansonspaints]

Did you do anything after that to show him that umbrellas really are not the Devil? I'm just thinking to situations I would be in, at shows mostly, where someone might open up an umbrella, or already have one open, as protection from rain or sun.[/quote]

LMAO ~ way too funny JBandRio! You know it never dawned on me that someone might open an umbrella around him and bring back good ole memories...thank goodness it hardly ever rains out here. I have sacked him really good with bags and such, but I am going to open an umbrella around him many times until he realizes that it won't hurt him. Thanks for making me think of that.

Yes it was very touching when he came back to me after running down the river. I was very proud of him. I thought I was going to have to watch him drown.

[swansonspaints]

Originally Posted by kristen3

How would you address a trainer with asking him to work with a snotty little hooligan?

You tell the trainer what you have told us and listen to his/her response. Ask for references. Ask to watch the trainer. I would be very careful in chosing any trainer for any type of horse - sometimes they create more problems than they solve. I wish you luck with you Shetland. Don't feel bad if you are not up for what it takes to train this guy. Even if you are quite capable, you might not have the time nor be in the right spot for it in life. That is why we have each other. You would be suprised how a trainer could turn this little guy around and in what little time if they know what they are doing ~ and in my humble opinion I believe this would be done in the roundpen. Good luck!