Help with skittish yearling

ReinerByHeart · 07-02-2009, 02:17 PM

A rope halter with a tied on lead would not have broke; the horse would have pulled back for a second, then stopped. The nylon broke and the horse flew over backwards and landed very hard on her head, hard enough to fracture her skull and nearly kill her. Freak accident, yes, but nylon halters are known to break regardless... luckily most of the time the horse breaks the halter and runs off rather than landing on its head. Second, nylon halters are "comfy" and horses tend to learn to lean against them. It is more efficient to use rope halters for training purposes, and safer to in my opinion.

BriLeigh · 07-02-2009, 02:57 PM

I agree with the nylon. That is not the problem the OP is having. I also disagree with the lunging to get his energy out. He is young and lunging in itself will take a little time to gt down, but at that age lunging is not a very good idea. It is too hard on them. And I disagree with just shoving a bunch of scary things at him at once. Obviously he is frightful, so make being with you a positive experience, and introduce things slowly for now. You don't want to fry his brain and make things worse.

Coaco · 07-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Not as freak an acident as you might think the halter breaking and some form of injury being sustained. I know of two personaly (different owners, barns and ages) that have had horse flip form broken halter. Mine leared he can break lead ropes,halters tie rings and other things.

For ME rope halters are the way to go, mine is a 17.1 dutch wb with a head a big as my torso he always needed a chain with the nylon halter just so he would walk calmly. I chaiged to the rope halter he is an absolute angel always

For your babie let him gain some trust and comfort with you as you introduce things, so YOU = safty. not more stress work at a speed that he is comfortable with

ReinerByHeart · 07-02-2009, 04:19 PM

As I said, people have differences of opinions on how fast to go with a young horse. However, my "overwhelming" approach has worked on a lot of horses. My yearling is almost the identical situation that the OP's is, and with my approach she VERY quickly became trusting, respectful, easy to handle, and actually likes human attention now. She learned immediately what reaction would stop the the thing that scared her -standing still. Also, learning that those things weren't going to hurt her gave her a new trust in me. She had a tendency to be a bit pushy when she got scared, and me working her right off the bat instilled respect of my space, as well as trust that I wasn't going to hurt her. IMO, horses that are "babied" right away, tend to end up more pushy and less respectful. But, that is just my experience. My sessions last between 10 minutes to 45 minutes usually, and always end on a good note, even if it's a small one.

Also, a note on the lunging - yes, repeated trotting and loping (high impact) on a circle is hard on a horses legs, but it takes a lot of repeated, daily work on a young horse to cause long term damage. A 5 minute lunging session in relatively soft ground to let his "spunk" out will be much more beneficial than fighting with a rambunctious yearling that has a 0 attention span. If you are worried, ask your vet's opinion.

Also, for the note on working a horse at a speed he is comfortable with, again I disagree. You have to make a horse uncomfortable in order to see faster improvement. A little bit of mental discomfort will not hurt your relationship with your horse as long as nothing bad comes out of it, such as something traumatizing that causes injury or pain. Making them uncomfy by flapping a tarp around and following them until they stand still will definitely not hurt anything. Gently introducing them to the tarp over a couple of days won't hurt anything either, but it takes forever. I'm coming from a trainer's approach here, not the general horse owner.

Coaco · 07-03-2009, 12:21 AM

I come form a place where someone decided My 14 month old gelding NEEDed to get over his beeing scared of the tarp covering the shaveings pile. while I was not there.(the "trainer") SHE ENEDED up hurt (got her foot caut in the tarp with him pulling back with aa chain over his nose and would not let go of him) I still have problems tieing him, tarps and other problems he is now 16. and he was contantly handled and good just the tarp was different that day and he had run out of vitamins so was spooky.

I will not tell peolpe who I have no idea Thier level of training or the safty of their suroundings to be quick about things when I have many examples that for the general horse owner 2 days(or a week) more or less is not a big deal.

AS well is this colt geting any mineral or vitamin suppliments some times jumpy spooky behaior is caused by a lack in calcium/magnisium with groth

phoenixfyre71 · 07-04-2009, 01:40 PM

as far as I know the colt is on the same feed as all the other barn horses. A 12% feed. I personally DONT like it because it makes my 6 yr old hot. Im looking to switch but I can do nothing about what the colt is eating because he is not mine. I introduced him to an umbrella the other night and he jumped a couple times, sniffed it, then ate hay while I opened and closed it (and danced like an idiot singing "singing in the rain"). He did really well!

puzzles mom · 07-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Sounds like he is going to be a good little guy that catches on quickly and it sounds like you already have gotten a good feel for how much to throw his way. I agree that a rope halter will teach them to be much lighter to pressure in the long run, I wouldn't leave one on him when turned out to pasture as they won't break, but they are wonderful training tools. Just use the general principle of pressure and relief, keeping the pressure on (with whatever that involves) until he gives or relaxes or gives you the response you are looking for, stop instantly and reward. It can be a lot of fun working with babies, they learn so fast and if you use good sense, things will go well for you.

seaecho · 07-04-2009, 05:48 PM

I much prefer rope halters. They have more "bite" to them without being abusive. They get the horse's attention should he try to bolt when you're lunging him or leading him. I've never had one come untied. I make sure its on snug enough, but not tight. To me, the nylon or web halters teach a horse to pull on you, as there is no "bite" at all. No consequences, and the horse learns to lean into it. And when ponying from another horse, I absolutely HAVE to have a rope halter. Otherwise, the ponyed horse can learn to slow down or stop when he wants to.

07-02-2009, 02:17 PM	#11
ReinerByHeart Full Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 78	A rope halter with a tied on lead would not have broke; the horse would have pulled back for a second, then stopped. The nylon broke and the horse flew over backwards and landed very hard on her head, hard enough to fracture her skull and nearly kill her. Freak accident, yes, but nylon halters are known to break regardless... luckily most of the time the horse breaks the halter and runs off rather than landing on its head. Second, nylon halters are "comfy" and horses tend to learn to lean against them. It is more efficient to use rope halters for training purposes, and safer to in my opinion. __________________ ~ReinerByHeart

07-02-2009, 04:19 PM	#14
ReinerByHeart Full Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 78	As I said, people have differences of opinions on how fast to go with a young horse. However, my "overwhelming" approach has worked on a lot of horses. My yearling is almost the identical situation that the OP's is, and with my approach she VERY quickly became trusting, respectful, easy to handle, and actually likes human attention now. She learned immediately what reaction would stop the the thing that scared her -standing still. Also, learning that those things weren't going to hurt her gave her a new trust in me. She had a tendency to be a bit pushy when she got scared, and me working her right off the bat instilled respect of my space, as well as trust that I wasn't going to hurt her. IMO, horses that are "babied" right away, tend to end up more pushy and less respectful. But, that is just my experience. My sessions last between 10 minutes to 45 minutes usually, and always end on a good note, even if it's a small one. Also, a note on the lunging - yes, repeated trotting and loping (high impact) on a circle is hard on a horses legs, but it takes a lot of repeated, daily work on a young horse to cause long term damage. A 5 minute lunging session in relatively soft ground to let his "spunk" out will be much more beneficial than fighting with a rambunctious yearling that has a 0 attention span. If you are worried, ask your vet's opinion. Also, for the note on working a horse at a speed he is comfortable with, again I disagree. You have to make a horse uncomfortable in order to see faster improvement. A little bit of mental discomfort will not hurt your relationship with your horse as long as nothing bad comes out of it, such as something traumatizing that causes injury or pain. Making them uncomfy by flapping a tarp around and following them until they stand still will definitely not hurt anything. Gently introducing them to the tarp over a couple of days won't hurt anything either, but it takes forever. I'm coming from a trainer's approach here, not the general horse owner. __________________ ~ReinerByHeart

07-04-2009, 01:40 PM	#16
phoenixfyre71 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moody, Al Posts: 2,576 Images: 6	as far as I know the colt is on the same feed as all the other barn horses. A 12% feed. I personally DONT like it because it makes my 6 yr old hot. Im looking to switch but I can do nothing about what the colt is eating because he is not mine. I introduced him to an umbrella the other night and he jumped a couple times, sniffed it, then ate hay while I opened and closed it (and danced like an idiot singing "singing in the rain"). He did really well! __________________ For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn? Pride and Prejudice "Evil will always triumph over good because good is dumb" Dark Helmet-Space Balls

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07-02-2009, 02:57 PM	#12
BriLeigh Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 649 Images: 26	I agree with the nylon. That is not the problem the OP is having. I also disagree with the lunging to get his energy out. He is young and lunging in itself will take a little time to gt down, but at that age lunging is not a very good idea. It is too hard on them. And I disagree with just shoving a bunch of scary things at him at once. Obviously he is frightful, so make being with you a positive experience, and introduce things slowly for now. You don't want to fry his brain and make things worse.

07-02-2009, 03:13 PM	#13
Coaco Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 39 Images: 3	Not as freak an acident as you might think the halter breaking and some form of injury being sustained. I know of two personaly (different owners, barns and ages) that have had horse flip form broken halter. Mine leared he can break lead ropes,halters tie rings and other things. For ME rope halters are the way to go, mine is a 17.1 dutch wb with a head a big as my torso he always needed a chain with the nylon halter just so he would walk calmly. I chaiged to the rope halter he is an absolute angel always For your babie let him gain some trust and comfort with you as you introduce things, so YOU = safty. not more stress work at a speed that he is comfortable with

07-03-2009, 12:21 AM	#15
Coaco Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 39 Images: 3	I come form a place where someone decided My 14 month old gelding NEEDed to get over his beeing scared of the tarp covering the shaveings pile. while I was not there.(the "trainer") SHE ENEDED up hurt (got her foot caut in the tarp with him pulling back with aa chain over his nose and would not let go of him) I still have problems tieing him, tarps and other problems he is now 16. and he was contantly handled and good just the tarp was different that day and he had run out of vitamins so was spooky. I will not tell peolpe who I have no idea Thier level of training or the safty of their suroundings to be quick about things when I have many examples that for the general horse owner 2 days(or a week) more or less is not a big deal. AS well is this colt geting any mineral or vitamin suppliments some times jumpy spooky behaior is caused by a lack in calcium/magnisium with groth

07-04-2009, 05:41 PM	#17
puzzles mom Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 464	Sounds like he is going to be a good little guy that catches on quickly and it sounds like you already have gotten a good feel for how much to throw his way. I agree that a rope halter will teach them to be much lighter to pressure in the long run, I wouldn't leave one on him when turned out to pasture as they won't break, but they are wonderful training tools. Just use the general principle of pressure and relief, keeping the pressure on (with whatever that involves) until he gives or relaxes or gives you the response you are looking for, stop instantly and reward. It can be a lot of fun working with babies, they learn so fast and if you use good sense, things will go well for you.

07-04-2009, 05:48 PM	#18
seaecho Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 877 Images: 21	I much prefer rope halters. They have more "bite" to them without being abusive. They get the horse's attention should he try to bolt when you're lunging him or leading him. I've never had one come untied. I make sure its on snug enough, but not tight. To me, the nylon or web halters teach a horse to pull on you, as there is no "bite" at all. No consequences, and the horse learns to lean into it. And when ponying from another horse, I absolutely HAVE to have a rope halter. Otherwise, the ponyed horse can learn to slow down or stop when he wants to.