Novice needs advices on naughty horse (We have a baby!)

[AnnaCrew]

Hi!
Gottlied - this horse is not agressive. He still would like to try his limits with us sometimes, as majority of horses would do, but his biting as I call it, is not part of it. It is definitely way how he talks. And now he has learned that it is NO-NO way, but still… he wants something in his mouth. Like a little baby, especially he likes cloth. Any cloth awailable, and if it happens to be our cloth… it was.
Yesterday when we tried his baby blanket thing on his back, he got it and was playing with it like kitten - tossing it up in air, swinging from side to side… And then I just went and take it back, and give him a rub for giving it up easy…
Peter spent all day playing with him - sending him one way or another by voice, making him repeat the movements, brushing him and things like that. And then they were riding…
This horse definitely has not grown up in some ways, and is too playful at age of 16 y, but when you ride… I can not say anything so far, but Peter says that he is so careful and concentrated about rider’s wellbeing… Peter said that yesterday there was a moment when he lost right balance a bit and horse changed the legs to get him back in right position.
The only thing which makes him not so easy to ride is his dislike to lorries - he rears at them, and if you are not ready for that, especially bareback, it could be bad.

And he likes sooo much to ride! Peter’s knee is better, so he gave horse a bit more freedom yesterday and in ten strides he was from walking to galloping! And sooo happy! He still needs a lot of job, but he really has learned the NO-NO about biting - he still will sneak, but he knows NO by voice and sometimes I just slap his nose light with palm to make him turn his head, but usually I just lift my palm or just finger, and say NO and he obeys instantly. At the beginning I was using my elbow to smack his face and few times he got light slap with stick under his chin. He is very clever and learns very fast. When he tirns his head, he gets pats and cuddles, and praising bu voice so he knows that he had done right. And he likes his head to be rubbed and cuddles.

Cart will be here this weekend, and then next weekend hopefully it will be saddle so gradually his excercise level will be increased and he will calm down more.

Kate66, yes, as others pointed here - he is on 10 m chain when outside. He had been used all his life to it and manages it very well. Of course, accidents might happens, but accidents might happen also in pen so he is not far away from home, so everybody can keep an eye on him. So far we are talking with other horse owners around here for the best solution for the pen and so far we are keen on electric fence. But still in a process of the research what would fit us better.

10 years later probably he will have free roaming rights around garden, but not now. He is just to full of energy, but other than that he is not interested to go away from home at all - yesterday his chain broke (the joint get loose) so one moment horse dissapeared We found him 50 metres forward, happy hanging around the cow barn… And he instantly came back when we called him - he has good recall, like a well trained dog. He do not want run AWAY from people, he wants to spent all the time WITH people, but due to his size and energy level it is not a good idea.

[PaddyUK]

Hi Anna.

Greetings from the UK.

I would just like to say how much I enjoy your updates.

The first thing I do every morning is sit with my cup of tea and check COTH for an update.

Now I must go outside in the rain and feed and turn out my boys:)

Paddy

[ivy62]

Anna- You and Peter have done so much for this horse! It is amazing and I love your updates and your house. Maybe one day I will have to visit Latvia! Never thought of that before…Puika looks great! All things will fall in place in time…
Keep the notes coming!!!

[Reds-n-Greys]

Anna - you are a gifted photographer! Each time you post I look at your photos and think " oh, this is my favorite new one", then i look at the next one and think "“oh, no that’s my favorite” I can’t just pick one…so here are are a couple of my new favorites. BTW, he looks so happy!!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/1-04-08/?action=view&current=PICT2883.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/1-04-08/?action=view&current=PICT2884.jpg

[moonriverfarm]

Why is it that people continue to say Peter and Anna need a trainer??? They ARE trainers. Gottlied, do you think Frank Madden needs to jet on over, or maybe Pat Parelli? COME ON! Anna and Peter are apparently doing everything right; they ahve taken a horse out of a box, and are riding him bareback in the snow down the road and all over their farm - with no mishaps - the horse has learned better behavior, A&P have learned about HIM, and to me, they are far more successful in this short time than many of us here with the help of so-called pros. We could learn much from our Latvian “trainers”.

[texang73]

@moonriverfarm;3118526

Why is it that people continue to say Peter and Anna need a trainer??? They ARE trainers. Gottlied, do you think Frank Madden needs to jet on over, or maybe Pat Parelli? COME ON! Anna and Peter are apparently doing everything right; they ahve taken a horse out of a box, and are riding him bareback in the snow down the road and all over their farm - with no mishaps - the horse has learned better behavior, A&P have learned about HIM, and to me, they are far more successful in this short time than many of us here with the help of so-called pros. We could learn much from our Latvian “trainers”.

Much agreed. They are doing a great job with what they have, and Puika has made good progress!

[AnnaCrew]

Thank you for compliments. I was thinking a lot today what we have done, how much still needs to be done and is it all this worth all the troubles and job.
I can see the difference in Puika since we got him two months ago.
It is Puika two months ago, on our first walk when we were trying out can we accept him or not…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/PICT2178.jpg

And it is him yesterday
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/1-04-08/PICT2913.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/1-04-08/PICT2914.jpg

He still is too fat and needs some more muscles, but he is progressing in the right direction.

Beheivior… There are some gainings but now he is even more difficult to handle as with lost weight and light excercises he has wake up and as Peter says - he has energy of 7 years old race horse, he is not like Latvian horse must be at 16 yo.

He is still to spooked about being alone outside, he hates large lorries on road and is too playful with us. But he comes when called, has learned not to bite, has learned so many things and is very keen to learn more.

He is not agressive (I had that feeling at the beginning and I’m sure now), he does not kick and has accepted us as his new friends and owners. He trust us, he obeys and definitely likes us - when I go outside and talk, he instantly responds to my voice, as any dog would do, and for me it is a big plus.

The main thing about these two months is that how much WE, his humans, have learned about him. I presume that is the main thing, really. I still do not feel 100 % that I can manage him around on long lead, but 2 months ago I was completely frightened to get into his box and pet the monster Yes, just two months ago it was. I needed to learn that at the beginning! It took me many hours of building up MY confidence to bring in and give him first bucketof water. Now i can spend hours in his box, cleaning him, teaching him, playing with him… and no fears at all, some vigilance, of course, as if he would step on my boot, it would be not nice experience, but that’s about all. I have learned some of his body language. I learned to slip under his chin in front of him, press against his chest without fear (i still am thinking what I would do if he woulds decide to rear in front of me) and I feel much, much more confident.
The day when I was walking him for the first time, will be forever in my memories… That feeling… that he obeys me, that he understands me and is willing to cooperate… Leaning against his shoulder, hand on withers… Do you remember how it was for the first time to walk the horse?

He still is spoiled rotten, but we decided that we gradually will take over him as he will bond with us - like with a spoiled child you do not bring the strong rules stright in making child’s life plain miserable, you just build up confidence and understanding and show reason for rules, and then gradually tighten the reins…

At the beginning he was manageable only with bite, now we can use halter for shorter walks - he responds on commands, given by voice, he does not need bridle and bite all the time to obey…

He has got two short birching with stick, but both times it was when he grabbed peter’s hand and had not released it instantly. He already know that it is no no thing and still tried out - so when he got the stick, he knew and understood the reason - nicest thing was that after he instantly returned, rubbed his nose against peters hand and said sorry - believe me, he looked so guilty… Since then he is trying his best not to get our skin in his mouth… He had stopped any attempts to get our clothes in his mouth, he is trying only on lead, like a dog who carries his lead in mouth, like walking himself proudly.

Puika was not ridden for past ten years - and Peter is riding him now. Puika is so happy about it! He remembers all the schooling that he had, and responds very, very well. I do not rush ride Puika - not yet as I’m not ready for that and I do not want give him confusing signals with wrong beheivior. Puika is so full of energy and mistakes can cost us too much, especially as peter had noticed one quite dangerous thing - now, when Puika has lost his excess weight and farrier had done just perfect job on his hoofs, he is starting to look for more fun - jumping. With his size, his and our age and our knowledge even just one jump could lead into great, great trouble so we are starting to think how to stop his thoughts from going in such dangerous ways. Hope, cart driving will help to put his mind back in right track.

The best thing so far - we had not have done big mistakes, nobody has any injuries, and Puika is in better condition and much more happy. We still have to go a long way until Puika will be trusted and well beheived horse, but we are on the right track, now I’m sure about it.

But the third question is still open. Is Puika worth all this job? As a horse he is nice, I really like him (if I would decide that I WANT a horse, I still would look for somebody like Puika), but he is nothing exciting, better horses here had been sold to slaughteries. He is a handful, but again - with better beheiving horse I would not learned so much, and the main thing for me - my condition also is much better as groundwork with Puika gives me that bit of so much needed excercises to help me loose some flab. So for me the answer is yes. And for his prewious owners who still see him every day, it is just pleasure to see their belowed horse to go back on track instead of crying fro giving him away to slaughtery.

But now I have a new problem! Does somebody know - is cow training similar to horses or cows need different training methods? As Puika is so big, to get his halter on in the barn, I must step on boards from the other side of the box, where his best friend - cow -is. The cow is supersweet, all she wants is cuddles and some treets, but when I’m standing high on boards, trying to balance myself when putting the halter on, this cow decided that she can rub her head on my ankles, and the problem is - cow has horns, so my ancels are bruised now. It hurts! Cow just wants a nice rub, she loves me, but not that moment, please!

[ivy62]

Anna
Unfortunately, I cannot offer any help with the cow but I can tell you horses are a work in progress. Every day it is a new adventure…It never ends…You have only had him 2 months and look at everything you have learned and done. People take years with their horses so do not be in a hurry with him. By the way what are you feeding him? I know this must have been presented before but I do not remember…That might help with his energy level…Have you considered ground driving him? It might help get him focused before you put a cart behind him and learn how to drive…I can tell you that riding and steerind and driving and steering are two different things! But I absolutely love driving…
Let us know how it goes…

[AnnaCrew]

Ivy, I do not worry about driving much - see, this horse is used to that (not like it was with riding when ten years ago seller (and not the trusted source) SAID that horse is broken for riding too but nobody actually had tried - Puika has been driven around here not much but on regular basis and except few well known minor problems he is good horse in cart (that was the reason for purchasing him, people still use quite a lot horses here in small farms, and you can see farmers driving to the local shop to get few beers :D). And the best - we do not need to discover and learn things ourselves, for this we have a “trainer” - the prewious owner is here, ready to teach us as much as he knows and give any advice. So basically we shall just need learn everyhing from him and there will be no changes for Puika. Cart really must be the easiest and safest part out of all this saga. I’m really looking for it! Peter already has started to oil all the tack and I must make the new pads for that metal bit which goes on horses back - pads are is rouined and can not be comfy to wear. Tack is old and do not look great, but it is Puika’s and he is used to it.

We cut off Puika’s additional feed from the day first and past two months he has been just on hay (without limitations) and one - two beets daily as a treats. All grain was cut off. Hay here is good, and first grass is also coming out. Puika never had been on these manufactured foods at all. (He gets a bit of supplements, but really - just a bit). He was always spoiled with quite a lot of oats, and with his current fat tummy there is no need for oats at all at present - he has too much energy anyway.

[ivy62]

Anna- Glad to hear you are not worried about driving but I wasn’t concerned about Puika learning to drive but you guys. It’s definitely different. But I love it! I am so happy for you it sounds like you are on the right path…Okay, is it still snowing by you? Our flowers are thinking about coming up and so is the grass…

[AnnaCrew]

Crocuses are out in blossoms, snowdrops… Yesterday melted last bits in sheadow. Grass is alreday green and Puika enjoys it so much!

[ShowMeTheGlory]

I’m so glad to hear everything is going good!

[moonriverfarm]

Anna - can’t wait to hear abotu his first “drive”!
I bet the land is even lovelier now with the snow melting…
Your big package should be there within a week.

[AnnaCrew]

Moonriverfarm, I’m anticipated too, but not yet, not yet. Cart is here, in bearable condition, but all the tack is old, not used at least for 2 years, and needs oiling, oiling and more oiling until it will be soft enough to put on horse. I have 4 (!) different collars in my hallway and 3 different sets of harneses (is this the right term?). That bit that goes on horses back, must new pad on (I’m making it between other jobs) and it takes time too.

One of the collars fit perfect on Puika, so it is great, as they vary so much by size, and must be just right to keep him comfortable. (Other collars we shall keep like for tack museum, soon we shall have plenty of old tack here to open exhibition ).

The cart needs a layer of paint on and oiling on wheels, and for that we must wait until Thursday (first dry day here promised for the whole week) - it is raining cats and dogs here, and the whole area is just plain mud now.

So anticipation is growing, and even my mum is skipping around on one leg in hope that she will be able to participate at the first "dressing up"ceremony. And prewious owners are too… They will be so happy to see him doing the right job again!

I promise plenty of pictures from the first drive!

[AnnaCrew]

It could be seperate question on horse care page, but here, where you know what horse and what owners we are talking about… It maight be more precise and suitable.

How do you teach the horse to get used to the new things? Puika is not very easy to get spooked, but he is very suspicious about certain things. Most dangerous for him seems to be paddles - water and especially tree reflections in it. So far Peter takes him to such place and touches the water, talks with Puika and when he checks it out then he is ok. Do not get me wrong - he adores paddles in the yard (his favorite place to drink - Ykes!) but when he is on road, the water in trenches on the side somehow bother him. We have very nice lonely farm road, which Puika liked to walk a lot until spring arrived and ice and snow melted. Now he refuses to walk there as there are so much water in the dich, and trees are reflecting in the water.

Puika also do not like forest. OK, he is a pray animal, in our forest there is nothing more dangerous than foxes, wild pigs and deers. OK, seems that there is living one scared wolverine, but I’m sure that horse never ever met it as wolverine is very scared and would never go for horse.

So what do you reccomend - push him just forwards, like trust me and do what I said, or let him overcome his suspicions and dislikes very slowly, step by step?

[Chef_Jade]

This is very off topic, but my best friend is Latvian (her parents were born there but she was born in the U.S.) Her grandfather was a famous conductor there, and she loves everything Latvian. Her last name is Petersons (probably common there) but she claims she practically knows everyone who has come from there!

Best of luck with your gorgeous boy.

[Reiter]

Anna, for exploring the new things, especially the ones Puika doesn’t like, repetition is your friend. If he doesn’t like the water on the road, practice crossing it. Peter has the right idea already, if Puika is afraid, reassure him and show him it’s nothing to be afraid of, then big praise when he steps through the water. Just like with dogs: positive reenforcement works wonders!
Take advantage of the puddles you have now to get Puika used to them. Every day work on it for a little bit with lots of praise when he does good! I bet he’ll be trotting through the water, unfraid, in no time! By the way, it is very common for horses to not like puddles, especially when they are reflective. They must think it is a deep hole that will swallow them up or something, but with repeated exposure they can learn that it is nothing to be afraid of!

[AnnaCrew]

Thank you, then we are on the right track. Just wanted to ask to be sure that we are doing right. It is such a releief here that I can ask my stupid guestions. Tack for driving is nearly ready, but weather is not - this morning we woke up with an inch of snow on the ground again… GRRRR! WE need spring! Or at least few dry days so we can repair the cart.

[ivy62]

Annacrew-
I can tell you my horse did not like walking through puddles especially if they were muddy and he could not see the bottom BUT if I went first he followed me gladly and quickly learned it was okay…slow and steady wins this race…Good luck!

[ponypile]

Just found this thread, I was hoping for the first driving experience to be at the end here.

Annacrew- gotta say I love your laid-back(relaxed) approach to the care and re-training of Puika, it is pleasing to read your thoughts on gentleness and kindness with the horse, and the blurb about how you would rein in a child without punishment. Its refreshing:)