We recently took on working with an older horse who shows signs of mistreatment, but is the sweetest old guy. From working with his feet, we know he has not had the kindest handling there, but also there were signs of an old injury to one back leg, so just giving this horse treatment could cause him to not like us working with his feet. Gently we worked with him, but he just didn't want his feet done by standing still. He would really yank them striking forward or kicking back. Using a partner, we used a soft rope and she held the rope around the leg so he could not pull away or kick back. Once he stood still, his foot was gently released and he was given a break. This worked well for us and no one got upset, we just persevered through the four feet. Tom Dorrance said that if a horse would not stand well with a foot, go back and pick up the last good foot you did. That works well also. So by going back and forth and by using the rope, we finished safely and leaving the horse with the message that if he stands, he gets a break and of course that we were not going to hurt him. Hopefully the next trim will be even easier.
Yesterday, was a great day with this horse. He loved being saddled and almost seems like he knows it's time to go to work. We took him to the arena and again worked as partners. We wanted to see if he longed, so one held the line and the other walked with him in a circle, he knew what to do. From that point one held line and the other drove him out and forward. At first he was a little confused, but working in this manner, he figured out what he was supposed to do. This horse definately has some ADD, but again not confusing him helped him to understand what we wanted.
Before mounting we did all the things we would in starting a young horse. Flexing, disengaging, careful girthing, flapping stirrups, jumping up and down beside him, before putting a foot in the stirrup. He did fine with all that. He did not want to stand for mounting, so we flexed him to one side til he softened and stood, and then the other. He stood perfect for the mount and then working together we started walking him with a rider. This horse definately did not enjoy even light contact to his mouth and then we decided to try neck reining and he was awesome. So we figured him out and from there it was a matter of working him at the walk and reaquainting him with leg aids. It took time, but his whole attitude improved through the process. I would guess that he figured out that he was not going to be yanked in the mouth and gave more of his body.
Well finally, the moment the owner was waiting for. It was time for her to get on her horse. Being a new rider, we partnered again and one led the horse as the other worked the rider through her nervousness and into a relaxed seat and a big smile. She did awesome and the horse responded so nicely to her aids. It was an amazing training session and lesson.
Take it slow and easy with a horse like this so he doesn't get confused and upset. We worked in a slow, safe manner and reached our goal! The horse was thinking and handling way better after the session and was given lots of caressing and love before quiting for the day.
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