First Horse, would love some tips!

TrickPony · 10-20-2009, 09:18 AM

I think you misinterpreted the posts a little bit.

Generally I don´t think people are trying to be negative or judgemental (not saying everyone, but typically...) This is one of those cases where you don´t even know what you don´t know.

If a young woman came to you and said, ¨I´m thinking about having a baby even though I haven´t graduated high school and don´t have a job or devoted boyfriend... but then again I could just wait till I´m older...¨ which would you tell her to do? Sure, she might be a great mother at 17, but as a rule it´s gonna be a whole heck of alot tougher. And before you actually dive into something like motherhood, you don´t even know what ¨tougher¨ can really mean.

The same idea applies here. You could probably get help and train this horse over the next few years, and he might turn out really well... but its gonna be alot more heartache (and alot more dangerous) then selling him and buying something older that you can safely ride now and have fun with.

Regardless, for advice... I am not personally opposed to a horse dragging a lead rope if they´re really that rank, but he doesn´t sound like it. There´s a book called ¨Starting The 2 Year Old¨ in the Western Horsemanship Series (I think?) and it does a good job breaking down all the steps of bringing up a baby. Catching, tying, leading, the first 30 days of riding, all the basics. If you commit to this guy it would probably be a good purchase.
Also - with horses, particularly young horses, never confuse a ¨bond¨ with respect. After you rub on him for a few weeks and feed him every day he might like you and get pretty sweet - but that doesn´t mean he´s not a 2 year old colt. Don´t be afraid to discipline him when you have to... he won´t ¨like¨ you any less for it. Horses this age test the boundaries of what they can and can´t do everyday. The line in the sand needs to be clear.

Hope it goes well - good luck with your new horse. It is very exciting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livingthedream

Thank you all for your advice. I was very dissapointed in the first few replies. It seems to me that if you're not "born in a barn" you should not own a horse and certainly not try to learn about owning a horse. Some people are so opinionated. I am desperatley trying to learn every little thing I can. There is a first for everyone and this is mine, all I want is tips and advice, not to be judged and put down. I am a registered social worker and I could'nt imagine telling a young woman she shouldn't be a mother because she does not have the experience to do so. Instead I would try to teach her everything I know, and help her feel confident.... which is what I was looking for from your forum. Thank you so much greitzer for your inspiration... whether I decide to sell him off or keep him and work with him for the next hundred years has not been decided yet, but all I am asking for is advice to build a bond with him.

mftowner06 · 10-20-2009, 09:43 AM

I got my first horse when I was 33 years old. Wanted a horse ever since I was a little girl. My first horse was a MFT - got him when he was 6 months old. And you want to talk about green horse with a green beginner. But I do have to say that I had a friend that helped quite a lot. But I've been on my own since Chief was 2. However I did take riding lessons and it's a good idea. If you're friend/neighbor is helping that is great. While he's working with your colt be there to watch and learn. Ask questions... this is a whole new world that you're getting into and I'm still learning! You've also got to remember being that he's 2 year old, he's still a baby himself and has lots of growing to do. So don't be in a hurry, I didn't start riding mine until he was 3 and that was a late 3.

How I got started in training my horse is I went to go see Clinton Anderson clinic loved him and his methods...bought some of his DVD's and did that way. My colt is 3 now and I'm riding him and I didn't have to pay a trainer to do it. There are other trainers out there besides CA, Chris Cox, Stacy Westfall, Greg Cameron and others.... there are tons and tons of forums out there also...no not encouraging you to get away from this one I'm just saying there are tons of information out there you just have to search for it.

Oh and I don't ever leave my halter or my lead rope on my horses. Teach him stand tied, pick up his feet, bonding: spend time with him grooming, just sit out there with him and read a book to him. A lot of times I will just walk around with my horses out in the pasture loving on them, talking to them...

Like I said you can do this...

meljean · 10-20-2009, 09:47 AM

As to the lead dragging, person I know did that one time, and came down to feed and the horse had gotten tangled up, probably when laid down and went to get up. But in struggling to free itself, got all 4 feet tangled and laid there struggling until had heart attack and died. That's what she found when she went down to feed, a dead horse.

I have seen people do it and nothing goes wrong, and I myself have done in paddock, but her horse was in paddock too, and she lived on site.

Just the luck of the draw, and it's not that any one who has posted is totally against green horse/green rider, it's just that, for me at least,in 53 years of dealing with horses, and learning and talking to the horsemen I learned from, anecdotes, experiences etc, we all probably know many many times that this combination didn't work out well.

You may do fine, after all we do not know trainer who gave you horse, nor do we know horse, but in general most of us do know a lot about horses, and you did ask for any advice you could receive.

Just please be careful, and post pictures please. Might also post picture of trainer if have one, so he can be critiqued too. Smiley thingy things here, nobody get offended please.

Private treaty or will trade for cremello

jwhisperj · 10-20-2009, 10:26 AM

I am not going to repeat what so many have pointed out about green + green, other than I agree.

I am with trick pony on this one, find some good quality reading material and even some good video's. READ READ READ. Also get some books on horse behavior, this will help you to see the little signs which lead to biting,
kicking, learning, accepting etc.
Start with small things like him letting you catch him, work on touching him all over. Leading is very important! Make sure he understands you have a personal bubble, and YOU are BOSS. If you watch young horses in a heard you will notice that when they are pushing and testing the older horses what happens? They get bit, kicked, chased. The young horse doesn't think " Oh geeze these guys are mean I am going to cry" He is learning that there is a pecking order in life and you don't question what the top horse says. ( or person )

Can you do it? Yes. Can you do it well? With help, alot of work and research hopefully. I am not trying to rain on your parade but...

Congrats on the new addition and just remember, if it turns out to be too much there is NO shame in selling him to someone who has done this before, and finding yourself that perfect been there horse to show you the ropes and let you enjoy the wonderful world of horses!!

greitzer · 10-20-2009, 10:38 AM

Your welcome Livingthedream, I think everyone does truly care about your safety and the horse as well. Things do happen and have more of a chance to happen with young ones, but they happen with old ones too! Keep your head up and stay safe. I think lessons with an older horse at the moment will help you learn and understand what you will want out of your baby! It will also allow you to experience some horsey characteristics too! Some are good and some are bad (horse rubbing his head on you while taking his bridle off), this you will learn in time to not let them start. It's cute at first, but can be dangerous if they get too aggressive or comfortable doing it.

Another idea I was thinking about.....this 2 year old, is he gelded by chance? Please make sure before you do anymore with him or invest anymore into him, put $150 into having him gelded! If he is already, super! But if not, it will make your world a whole lot better! Youngster stallions can be a whole-nother story opposed to just a young horse! Geldings can make such nice quiet mounts!

I truly wish you the best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions! Pictures of your little youngster would be so cool!

Horsegirl878 · 10-20-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livingthedream

Thank you all for your advice. I was very dissapointed in the first few replies. It seems to me that if you're not "born in a barn" you should not own a horse and certainly not try to learn about owning a horse. Some people are so opinionated. I am desperatley trying to learn every little thing I can. There is a first for everyone and this is mine, all I want is tips and advice, not to be judged and put down. I am a registered social worker and I could'nt imagine telling a young woman she shouldn't be a mother because she does not have the experience to do so. Instead I would try to teach her everything I know, and help her feel confident.... which is what I was looking for from your forum. Thank you so much greitzer for your inspiration... whether I decide to sell him off or keep him and work with him for the next hundred years has not been decided yet, but all I am asking for is advice to build a bond with him.

This is not what we're saying. We're just saying that owning a green horse as a first horse is generally not advised if you haven't had much recent experience with horses, because there's always the possibility that you could get seriously hurt, especially with a 2-year-old. I've been riding/working with horses for the last 10 years, and I'm training a yearling filly, but she's not my first horse, and I've had experience with crazy, green horses before (who weren't my own-other people asked me to ride them). My first horse was a sweet, gentle 14-year-old mare who was extremely well trained and would stand quietly with a 2-year-old child on her back. Yes, she had fire, but she was well-trained. And I had been riding for 5 years then.
And even though I've had 10 years of experience with horses, some people still tell me I shouldn't be training her because I have no experience with yearlings. I know that my filly could hurt me easily, just because she's still full of fire and because young horses tend to be unpredictable, and I'm willing to take that risk, and I have enough experience to deal with most of what she throws at me, but I still need lots of help and advice.
So just think again if you really want to be doing this, if you're willing to take the risks involved with training a young horse... If you do, go for it, good for you. If you don't, good for you.
And I agree with a lot of people about the trailing lead... NOT a good idea. Halter, sure. Lead rope? No way. If the horse is that hard to catch, use oats or food as bribery until he learns.

Livingthedream · 10-20-2009, 12:00 PM

I agree with you Lopinslow, and appreciate the "tell it like it is" reply. You are right about the mother comment, when I wrote it I felt extremely unsupported by some comments, and thus, retaliated by comparison. I came here for a few answers, and got a few judgements which is ok... I can admit that most of you on this site know much, much more than me. Which is why I am seeking encouragement, and a few "whatever you do, DON'T do this....." or "To approach him, try this.........." responses.
Thanks you all for your posts, I am taking absolutley all of your words in!

Lopinslow · 10-20-2009, 12:12 PM

Livingthedream - we are just very concerned about your safety.

If you love horses as much as it seems, i do think you would be MUCH happier (and a WHOLE lot safter) with a been there done that horse for your first. I have trained a lot of my own horses (first at 14) and even with a great temperment and easy going attitude, it takes a long time for them to get to that "broke", anyone can ride type of level.

being its coming into winter now, there really won't be much riding until spring. I'm willing to bet you will be ITCHING to ride come spring, and your horse simply won't be ready for you. your horse "might" be safe enough for you come mid summer IF he's with the right trainer and has the right mindset.

I do also think it was not responsible of your neighbor to give you an unbroke and barely handled 2yr old for your first horse. I have a 2yr old at home who had a LOT of handling from day one (orphaned at 4 days) and is one of the quietest, easiest horses i've ever raised.. and even with one like that, I would NEVER sell him to a beginner.
If your neighbor is a breeder, maybe he instead has a broke to death broodmare that he would be willing to give you instead?

Or, another option, with the way the horse market is.. maybe there is someone that would do a free lease with their super broke/super quiet older horse for you to ride and learn on for a year... THEN when your 2yr old is done at the trainers (would recommend minimum of 6 months) you will be more experienced to deal with a youngster.

Livingthedream · 10-20-2009, 12:15 PM

I wanted to let you all know, When I went out this morning to deworm... I also took the lead off. I left the halter on. I walked away and he followed me curiously... I was surprised he followed, wish me luck catching him later!

Also, I really appreciate all if these comments coming in... you're taking so much time writing to me... so thanks.

Livingthedream · 10-20-2009, 12:27 PM

Thank you TrickPony!
Like I said before the whole mother comment was out of frustration, and I guess a little embarassment. But you are VERY right with your reply to my comparison. Don't you just hate when you say something then regret it and feel stupid!? Haha... Anyway thanks again!

10-20-2009, 09:43 AM	#12
mftowner06 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bartlesville, OK Posts: 109 Images: 6	I got my first horse when I was 33 years old. Wanted a horse ever since I was a little girl. My first horse was a MFT - got him when he was 6 months old. And you want to talk about green horse with a green beginner. But I do have to say that I had a friend that helped quite a lot. But I've been on my own since Chief was 2. However I did take riding lessons and it's a good idea. If you're friend/neighbor is helping that is great. While he's working with your colt be there to watch and learn. Ask questions... this is a whole new world that you're getting into and I'm still learning! You've also got to remember being that he's 2 year old, he's still a baby himself and has lots of growing to do. So don't be in a hurry, I didn't start riding mine until he was 3 and that was a late 3. How I got started in training my horse is I went to go see Clinton Anderson clinic loved him and his methods...bought some of his DVD's and did that way. My colt is 3 now and I'm riding him and I didn't have to pay a trainer to do it. There are other trainers out there besides CA, Chris Cox, Stacy Westfall, Greg Cameron and others.... there are tons and tons of forums out there also...no not encouraging you to get away from this one I'm just saying there are tons of information out there you just have to search for it. Oh and I don't ever leave my halter or my lead rope on my horses. Teach him stand tied, pick up his feet, bonding: spend time with him grooming, just sit out there with him and read a book to him. A lot of times I will just walk around with my horses out in the pasture loving on them, talking to them... Like I said you can do this... __________________ Thank you, Brandi - owner of 2 MFT's

10-20-2009, 09:47 AM	#13
meljean Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NW MO Posts: 1,017	As to the lead dragging, person I know did that one time, and came down to feed and the horse had gotten tangled up, probably when laid down and went to get up. But in struggling to free itself, got all 4 feet tangled and laid there struggling until had heart attack and died. That's what she found when she went down to feed, a dead horse. I have seen people do it and nothing goes wrong, and I myself have done in paddock, but her horse was in paddock too, and she lived on site. Just the luck of the draw, and it's not that any one who has posted is totally against green horse/green rider, it's just that, for me at least,in 53 years of dealing with horses, and learning and talking to the horsemen I learned from, anecdotes, experiences etc, we all probably know many many times that this combination didn't work out well. You may do fine, after all we do not know trainer who gave you horse, nor do we know horse, but in general most of us do know a lot about horses, and you did ask for any advice you could receive. Just please be careful, and post pictures please. Might also post picture of trainer if have one, so he can be critiqued too. Smiley thingy things here, nobody get offended please. Private treaty or will trade for cremello __________________ "If you listen to the horse, the horse will tell you what it wants to be." Dale Pugh "You can undo in five seconds, the training it took you five years to accomplish." Wyman E. Bennett Last edited by meljean; 10-20-2009 at 09:58 AM. Reason: more info

10-20-2009, 12:12 PM	#18
Lopinslow Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MN Posts: 2,256 Images: 51	Livingthedream - we are just very concerned about your safety. If you love horses as much as it seems, i do think you would be MUCH happier (and a WHOLE lot safter) with a been there done that horse for your first. I have trained a lot of my own horses (first at 14) and even with a great temperment and easy going attitude, it takes a long time for them to get to that "broke", anyone can ride type of level. being its coming into winter now, there really won't be much riding until spring. I'm willing to bet you will be ITCHING to ride come spring, and your horse simply won't be ready for you. your horse "might" be safe enough for you come mid summer IF he's with the right trainer and has the right mindset. I do also think it was not responsible of your neighbor to give you an unbroke and barely handled 2yr old for your first horse. I have a 2yr old at home who had a LOT of handling from day one (orphaned at 4 days) and is one of the quietest, easiest horses i've ever raised.. and even with one like that, I would NEVER sell him to a beginner. If your neighbor is a breeder, maybe he instead has a broke to death broodmare that he would be willing to give you instead? Or, another option, with the way the horse market is.. maybe there is someone that would do a free lease with their super broke/super quiet older horse for you to ride and learn on for a year... THEN when your 2yr old is done at the trainers (would recommend minimum of 6 months) you will be more experienced to deal with a youngster. __________________ Quality AQHA Western Pleasure Horses The Naughty Version, Goallthewaymay & Unzipped n Naughty

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10-20-2009, 10:26 AM	#14
jwhisperj Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 416 Images: 6	I am not going to repeat what so many have pointed out about green + green, other than I agree. I am with trick pony on this one, find some good quality reading material and even some good video's. READ READ READ. Also get some books on horse behavior, this will help you to see the little signs which lead to biting, kicking, learning, accepting etc. Start with small things like him letting you catch him, work on touching him all over. Leading is very important! Make sure he understands you have a personal bubble, and YOU are BOSS. If you watch young horses in a heard you will notice that when they are pushing and testing the older horses what happens? They get bit, kicked, chased. The young horse doesn't think " Oh geeze these guys are mean I am going to cry" He is learning that there is a pecking order in life and you don't question what the top horse says. ( or person ) Can you do it? Yes. Can you do it well? With help, alot of work and research hopefully. I am not trying to rain on your parade but... Congrats on the new addition and just remember, if it turns out to be too much there is NO shame in selling him to someone who has done this before, and finding yourself that perfect been there horse to show you the ropes and let you enjoy the wonderful world of horses!!

10-20-2009, 10:38 AM	#15
greitzer Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25 Images: 6	Your welcome Livingthedream, I think everyone does truly care about your safety and the horse as well. Things do happen and have more of a chance to happen with young ones, but they happen with old ones too! Keep your head up and stay safe. I think lessons with an older horse at the moment will help you learn and understand what you will want out of your baby! It will also allow you to experience some horsey characteristics too! Some are good and some are bad (horse rubbing his head on you while taking his bridle off), this you will learn in time to not let them start. It's cute at first, but can be dangerous if they get too aggressive or comfortable doing it. Another idea I was thinking about.....this 2 year old, is he gelded by chance? Please make sure before you do anymore with him or invest anymore into him, put $150 into having him gelded! If he is already, super! But if not, it will make your world a whole lot better! Youngster stallions can be a whole-nother story opposed to just a young horse! Geldings can make such nice quiet mounts! I truly wish you the best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions! Pictures of your little youngster would be so cool!

10-20-2009, 12:00 PM	#17
Livingthedream Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	I agree with you Lopinslow, and appreciate the "tell it like it is" reply. You are right about the mother comment, when I wrote it I felt extremely unsupported by some comments, and thus, retaliated by comparison. I came here for a few answers, and got a few judgements which is ok... I can admit that most of you on this site know much, much more than me. Which is why I am seeking encouragement, and a few "whatever you do, DON'T do this....." or "To approach him, try this.........." responses. Thanks you all for your posts, I am taking absolutley all of your words in!

10-20-2009, 12:15 PM	#19
Livingthedream Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	I wanted to let you all know, When I went out this morning to deworm... I also took the lead off. I left the halter on. I walked away and he followed me curiously... I was surprised he followed, wish me luck catching him later! Also, I really appreciate all if these comments coming in... you're taking so much time writing to me... so thanks.

10-20-2009, 12:27 PM	#20
Livingthedream Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	Thank you TrickPony! Like I said before the whole mother comment was out of frustration, and I guess a little embarassment. But you are VERY right with your reply to my comparison. Don't you just hate when you say something then regret it and feel stupid!? Haha... Anyway thanks again!