The horse I was given to work with was Merlin. Merlin is a 15hhish Lusitano stallion, trained as a trick horse previously. He has been on box rest for several months after his tendon sheath became inflamed. He has THE worst ground manners of any horse here (and that's saying something- manners isn't a necessity for horses here like it is in Aus). Leading him you will always be bitten, barged into and dragged around. He's also pretty horse aggressive and extremely territorial and 'stalliony'.
I haven't actually ridden him, but he is a very hot and stressy horse under saddle too. Only one client is allowed to ride him on occasion, otherwise he is ridden by Wanda.
So really, he's the perfect candidate to illustrate how basic ground work can improve ease of handling, and just how much you can pick up just by watching their body language.
I started on the lead-rope, just getting him to keep out of my space a little, and respond to basic body cues (i.e. step toward his hindquarter = move away from me). The early stages are always hard. He doesn't know what the heck I'm asking and would prefer to just be nibbling and playing (and basically stand on top of me). He is VERY smart, though so it wasn't too many sessions before we were working at liberty in the round yard.
We are doing pretty basic exercises. Back up and walk forward, lead with me at his shoulder, following, changing directions on a circle, moving sideways etc. and he now knows exactly what I'm asking. The difficult is keeping his attention and keeping him 'under the thumb'. If he even hears another horse walking close by he will just ignore me and start his territorial behaviour.
Also, if I relax for a moment and am not paying attention, he'll still try to sneak in a bite or a barge. Cheeky bugger.
I think he has improved quite a bit. He will get out of my space without too much trouble now, and his leading at liberty and on lead is dramatically better. You still need to be on top of him, but as long as you keep one eye on him, he's wonderful and relaxed. I haven't actually been bitten by him yet (touch wood!) so if I can keep that going I'm sure it will make him easier to deal with.
I also really just love him. I think he's very misunderstood and needs to just chill for a bit. He doesn't like dressage- he's trained a trick horse and that's what he does well. Ask him to bow and rear and his whole facial expression changes and all stress leaves his body. The ground work is good for him too- I get some real relaxation from him.
Most of the staff are either scared of him, or dislike him because he's difficult. Poor bub! Meanwhile I sneak him in some hand grazing and make him flower crowns :D
Thankfully Wanda is on my side and has convinced Tina to offer him for 'trick training' lessons, instead of dressage lessons, which I think is fantastic. I get to also continue my work with him while I'm here, and come September he is possibly going to go into the mounted falconry business.
Wanda has promised me a ride on him at some point (yay!), but until then we'll keep working away at his ground work in between some loving. Every horse needs some loving!
No comments:
Post a Comment