Building a stronger bond?
Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:49 pm
I know that some of you PPTers own horses. Ben (my horse) is pretty attatched to me, but I would like to know how to build a stonger bond with him. Its to the point that he wants to go everywhere that I go, but I just feel like there could be more...
So if you know how to strengthen a bond, please share!
So if you know how to strengthen a bond, please share!
Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:24 pm
Just spend time with him, like brushing him and stuff. :)
Bunnies and horses are very different, but.. my rabbits looove food. ;) Maybe just give him some carrots and stuff.
Bunnies and horses are very different, but.. my rabbits looove food. ;) Maybe just give him some carrots and stuff.
Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:45 pm
Kitten Medli wrote:Just spend time with him, like brushing him and stuff.
Bunnies and horses are very different, but.. my rabbits looove food.Maybe just give him some carrots and stuff.
I give him grain, apples, grapes, and carrots all the time
He does love it when I brush him, and I do that every day
Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:36 pm
I always used to talk to my ponies, they seem to like it when you talk quietly to them. It even gets them calm when they're nervous or scared (well, most of the time)
You could also try this massaging method by a woman named Linda Telligton-Jones. I read one of her books once, it was pretty interesting There's some more info about it on her homepage.
Good luck and have fun!
You could also try this massaging method by a woman named Linda Telligton-Jones. I read one of her books once, it was pretty interesting
There's some more info about it on her homepage.
Good luck and have fun!
Sun Mar 12, 2006 7:45 pm
http://www.parelli.com/
This is something that when done properly (and it can be done by anyone) it is supposed to help build bonds between your horse and yourself. I've never gotten into it myself, but i've a friend who has. She has a mustang, arab cross who when she got him was a total nutjob (mustang arab, no kidding). And now this horse is just the sweetest boy. She swears by it. Basically it's a series of games you play to build the bond between yourself and the horse. It's quite interesting (i've seen demonstrations) and videos of it, and from the amount of people involved (who do it properly and don't take it those few steps too far), it seems to work for them.
I bonded with my arab through simple continuall activity. He trusted me. He'd come to me. I'd talk to him, groom him, spend time with him. Watch him. He learned to trust me. You can't bribe a horse into liking you (not saying you are) but treats can be a dangerous thing to give on a continuall basis because horses will start to expect them. And when a horse expects something and you don't give it up, they'll let you know their displeasure in one way or another.
This is something that when done properly (and it can be done by anyone) it is supposed to help build bonds between your horse and yourself. I've never gotten into it myself, but i've a friend who has. She has a mustang, arab cross who when she got him was a total nutjob (mustang arab, no kidding). And now this horse is just the sweetest boy. She swears by it. Basically it's a series of games you play to build the bond between yourself and the horse. It's quite interesting (i've seen demonstrations) and videos of it, and from the amount of people involved (who do it properly and don't take it those few steps too far), it seems to work for them.
I bonded with my arab through simple continuall activity. He trusted me. He'd come to me. I'd talk to him, groom him, spend time with him. Watch him. He learned to trust me. You can't bribe a horse into liking you (not saying you are) but treats can be a dangerous thing to give on a continuall basis because horses will start to expect them. And when a horse expects something and you don't give it up, they'll let you know their displeasure in one way or another.
Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:59 pm
In my experience - if a horse doesn't like you, then don't get on it.
Most of the horses I've been around have liked me... Even the psycho ones. I've respected them, and in turn they've respected me. When they behave, I treat them, even if it's a pat on the neck and a word of praise - it's still a treat. Otherwise, they know that they won't get ridden, and won't get praise.
I agree with Kitten - spend time grooming, tell them they're looking beautiful/handsome when they do look great (talk to them).
Most of the horses I've been around have liked me... Even the psycho ones. I've respected them, and in turn they've respected me. When they behave, I treat them, even if it's a pat on the neck and a word of praise - it's still a treat. Otherwise, they know that they won't get ridden, and won't get praise.
I agree with Kitten - spend time grooming, tell them they're looking beautiful/handsome when they do look great (talk to them).
Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:59 pm
tomatie wrote:I always used to talk to my ponies, they seem to like it when you talk quietly to them. It even gets them calm when they're nervous or scared (well, most of the time)
You could also try this massaging method by a woman named Linda Telligton-Jones. I read one of her books once, it was pretty interesting
Good luck and have fun!
Ah, yes. I do T-Touch on him all the time and he loves it.
Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:57 am
Was going to say Parelli, but it was already said.
Its a great thing if you do it right. If you do the.. Um.. Chasing game, in a roundpen, don't push it too much. My friends horse got so wound up that he jumped over and got a bone chip.
And from person experience, don't do the 'Hide your Hiney' game, its BS. I've never heard of anyone doing it without getting ropeburn, unless you buy one of their $50trillion leads, and all it acomplishes is your horse being afraid of getting its smurf beaten.
Really, from that it probably sounds horrable, but its really really good.
You probably know this because from what you've said your knowledgable on horses and doing really good, but...
What I've found with the literally hundreds of horses I've been with, let them make the first move every time. Like, if you go into their stall, let them look at you then look back to what they were doing. I don't know why, but it really seems to help the bond, because they trust you before you touch them or something.. Dunno. And if they start to walk towards you, for the love of all things you cherish, don't walk up to them and grab them, they'll kick the living crap out of you.
Trust moi, master of horse kicks, bites, and stompings. If you get trust, don't ruin it because your horse will kick your sorry smurf.
Er, if I said anything rude their, just let me know. I don't mean anything to be rude, but if it is I'd be glad to edit it out. It isn't meant to be offensive, but I'm not exactly all here, so I'm really sorry if I've said anything rude.
Its a great thing if you do it right. If you do the.. Um.. Chasing game, in a roundpen, don't push it too much. My friends horse got so wound up that he jumped over and got a bone chip.
And from person experience, don't do the 'Hide your Hiney' game, its BS. I've never heard of anyone doing it without getting ropeburn, unless you buy one of their $50trillion leads, and all it acomplishes is your horse being afraid of getting its smurf beaten.
Really, from that it probably sounds horrable, but its really really good.
You probably know this because from what you've said your knowledgable on horses and doing really good, but...
What I've found with the literally hundreds of horses I've been with, let them make the first move every time. Like, if you go into their stall, let them look at you then look back to what they were doing. I don't know why, but it really seems to help the bond, because they trust you before you touch them or something.. Dunno. And if they start to walk towards you, for the love of all things you cherish, don't walk up to them and grab them, they'll kick the living crap out of you.
Trust moi, master of horse kicks, bites, and stompings. If you get trust, don't ruin it because your horse will kick your sorry smurf.
Er, if I said anything rude their, just let me know. I don't mean anything to be rude, but if it is I'd be glad to edit it out. It isn't meant to be offensive, but I'm not exactly all here, so I'm really sorry if I've said anything rude.