I don’t like it when a horse has bad ground manners. Horses are large creatures, and there needs to a mutual respect between handler and horse that includes not getting trod on, shoved around, or generally bullied.

Bad manners can apply to dogs too- like those that drag you down the stairs

Whenever I start working with a new horse, or even a foal, my view to instilling good manners doesn’t include coercing the horse into good behavior. Instead, I try to put the horse in situations where the behavior I want is the easiest and most obvious option for the horse to try.

Working with one of my babies, wearing a saddle for the first time

For instance (aside: yes, get ready for some of my own training theory- not like I came up with it all but whatevs), starting with cross tying a weanling. I don’t immediately go to the cross ties, as the stimuli associated with these might make the horse feel trapped, and it would be my fault if they gave the wrong response due to their flight instinct. So instead, we start with leading. Moving forward while being attached to a lead rope gets them used to the idea of being controlled by their head, but constant movement means that there is little sense of claustrophobia involved. Once leading is old hat, then we progress to standing with the leadline.

I don’t like to give babies treats, because I think there is some danger of creating nippy horses that way, so instead positive reinforcement comes with scratches, words of encouragement, and attention. Keeping the sessions short, once standing in place becomes a concept, then I will slowly introduce the cross tie- one side at a time. Always short, always rewarding, and always allowing the horse an easy way to choose the best behavior.

Another with Rose

Sometimes though, when working with horses, we inherit another person’s bad training, or the horse’s personal baggage, that creates for bad manners on the ground. I know I have seen plenty of horses that shove their humans around, using their head or shoulders, and these in particular are my pet peeves. I’d more easily forgive a horse who didn’t willingly pick its feet up, or one that didn’t take the bridle so easily, but that’s just me.

What are your pet peeves when it comes to ground manners? How do you like to approach teaching good ground manners? Have you ever inherited sticky issues with bad behaviors that you’ve had to solve?

So, basically, I’m a terrible person. But I suppose in my defense, I’ve been a little distracted- for obvious reasons.

Still, I wish I had my sh*t together like StampyandtheBrain, who sent me this completely time-appropriate Secret Santa Gift that I absolutely love!

First, let’s all acknowledge the hilarious hipster deer card, and how much I appreciate quirky stuff.

Then, Foster got himself a bag of treats, and the wrapped item (which was confusingly heavy when I picked it up!) turned out to be a Himalayan salt block for his stall! Foster has given both of these presents two thumbs hooves up, as evidenced by the now semi-deteriorated block that hangs near his food. I would have taken a photo, but again- I don’t have my sh*t together these days.

Thank you so much, Phoenix and Stampede, for the lovely treaties! And thank you to Tracy at Fly on Over for hosting the exchange!

So many more reasons to spoil and pamper Foster, who is very appreciative!

Things I’m hoping to find: A bee-yutiful place that actually has room for the spotted pony to hang out for 8 months where he will get love and attention and not break my budget.

Things I’m hoping will find me: An amazing individual who thinks spotted ponies are the best, and their greatest life’s ambition is to stuff one full of treats and hack through the woods.

Things that haven’t happened yet: Either of the above.

So that’s where we are right now. It’s keeping me up at night, and between thinking about it, and contacting people, being sleep-deprived, and everything else, well… blogs have fallen by the wayside a bit. Meanwhile I am reading all of your comments and please know that they are still appreciated and very much helpful and brighten my day.

First of all, thank you so much for the kind comments, messages, and phone calls since this weekend. You don’t know who your friends are until you’re really down, and it was uplifting to hear so many words of support and sympathy.

I dealt with the initial shock Saturday by going into a typical (for me) emotional brain freeze, and then crying and imbibing lots of wine when it all started to sink in. And that was before Ali stopped by with 3 more bottles of wine and a tiny carton of Ben and Jerry’s. Screw lactose intolerance, I needed some ice cream therapy.

But since then I have tried, for now, to be forward looking, instead of being purely retrospective (although that’s coming- expect a couple sappy posts in the future). And there are some major things to attend to in the near (next 12 months) future.

For one, I implemented phase one of my plan to buy a truck 3 days prior to getting Foster’s news. That is to say, I sold my car. And then of course realized that those pennies I’d been saving up for a hauling vehicle would likely have another purpose, since obviously, homeboy isn’t going to be competing, or clinicing, or lessoning anytime soon. So I’ve been scavenging around for a vehicle that was more gas-efficient, and if we need to go anywhere, I’ll just have to beg borrow and steal a pickup for the day.

Of course there’s what-to-do with Foster, as well. I’ve been trying to imagine what the optimal life would be like for him, and come to the conclusion that this horse needs interaction. He begs for attention, hams for treats, and in general is one of the sweetest, most personable and cuddliest horses I’ve ever met- that doesn’t strike me as the type of horse you through out to pasture to mind his own business for the next 10 years. Ideally, I’d like to get him sound enough that I could find a free lease situation, someone interested in trail riding and occasional flatwork, but that is looking more for a horse to dote on then anything else. But of course, I’ve got to get him comfortable first.

We’re still working a little. This is our trial phase with the previcox, and Monday evening I’ll be able to assess at all 3 gaits if he’s more comfortable on the drug. That will be very telling, but I must divulge- I’m not holding my breath.

The other option I’m seriously considering after a long heart-to-heart with my vet is letting him be on full turnout for 6-8 months, and just see if consistent, low-key movement will allow his body to heal. So I’m trying to find a situation for him that would allow for this and still let me love on him and monitor his progress.

If I can’t find the perfect place to put him, the next step is Adequan/Legend/similar product. If anyone has specific recommendations on one of these options- I’m all ears as I try to learn all I can. Then he’ll stay in some semblance of work (even if it’s just walking) and see where it goes.

We’re moving forward. Slowly, cautiously, but forward nonetheless.