we are still waiting for snow/rain to stop, but so far - nope. I will be able soon to grow carps in my pastures. When horse goes on grass, he soaks in ancle deep… I’m tired of this, so frustrating! We want out for fun! Puika wants more excercises, but this is killing weather - when he goes back in stall, a lot of hay and towels are used daily to leave him dry.
[QUOTE=ivy62;3136219]
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![/QUOTE]
Just be careful, sometimes they try to jump over water when you are leading them and you are their safe spot. So they jump right on you. I have seen a horse do this, luckily the girl only sprained her ankle.
My technique with spooky things is to walk them past the spooky spot many times, trying not to pay attention to it, and trying to give them another job to pay attention to, like bending the neck one direction or the other while walking. I don’t like to stop them once they’ve spooked at something, but if I know something might be spooky before they spook, I will walk them up to it and let them look and sniff but that has to be the original intention, their original job is to investigate a potentially spooky spot.
they don’t get to stop and sniff if they spook unexpectedly because some horses learn that stopping is a reward for the spook. As always it depends on the circumstance and behavior at that moment. And usually it just requires time and experience.
Oh, and with puddles. I find that the shallow wide puddles with firm ground underneath are the easiest to teach them in. That way they they cannot go around or jump over, and once they step in they feel the firm ground and are not scared. I try to walk through every puddle I can find in the winter 
Anna, I love reading your posts and seeing pics of Puika! He is looking great!
Just wanted to share… Nothing exciting, but one of the moments that is worth all the tea in China
Here is terrible rain going on and on and on… Puika had not had been out in pastures for past 7 days because all is covered in water and mud. So he spents most of the time inside, bored to death.
It was rining again this afternoon, with harsh wind, but Peter decided that Puika MUST have a ride, that he asks for it and that was it.
So he toook Puika out and warmed him up a bit - Puika was in a happy, but very good mode. We gave him his “chewing gum” - a stick and they were walking around - Peter with cigarette and Puika with his stick in his mouth.
Then Peter rode him - nothing exciting, just an hour of nice walking, some dressage elments, calm and safe excercises for this weather.
After the ride, when Peter turned Puika in to unmount him, Puika was so thankful for the ride. I was holding the reins and putting the lead on to keep Puika still until Peter gets off. Usually Puika is naughty, do not listen much, wants play more and so on.
This time he was like saying “Thank you for at least this!” and he pressed his head against mine for the first time! Like saying “I love you, give me a hug…” so I did.
He was standing calmly while Peter got off and then was still standing just cuddling with me… His head on my shoulder, softly pressing against me, my hand around his neck, I was patting and kissing him… Not nipping, not pulling his head or other naughty things - he was an angel, full of love.
I wish somebody would take picture of us… I bet everyone here has a sweet picture of “horse and me”, and this was the first moment when I felt that maybe one day I will have the similar one.
He was not like that 2 months ago, not at all… but now… it is so strange to see that horse can change so much. I’m sooo happy for this one, small moment of today.
Those little moments make the bad moments end up being not important.
He is beautiful. I have never heard of the Latavia breed. What country are you in, and where is it near?
Aww Anna how lovely! I just adore those moments :):)
I’m in Latvia 
It is in Europe, one of the Baltic states, look at the map down South from Sweden, to the west from Russian border, to the east from Poland. Latvia is a small country, and statistically only 13 thousand horses are living here. I would say that about half of them are Latvian breed but it might be incorrect.
HI Anna,
What a lovely description of your moment with Puika. I’m sure you will enjoy many more of them!!
Anna I have been following your story from Canada. I don’t post very much here but I had to comment on you, Peter and Puika.
You are truly amazing and as much as you have come here to learn, what you share in wisdom with us has certainly made me a little wiser.
What a refreshing view you have, I makes me remember the feelings that started me down this road of horse ownership. We should all take the time to appreciate the simple joys of our charges. Thank you so much Anna for sharing your life with Peter and Puika and the rest of the crew with us, you will never know just how enriching it is to read. I think you have touched many lives in your quest for knowledge.
Thank you Jacquie, for your sweet words, but if you all would really know how I fell around this one, you probably would feel different.
I do not mind cleaning and feeding daily - it is really nothing, and we know if suddenly flu will hit us or something, neighbours would help, so I’m relaxed about that.
But I still do not feel comfortable around Puika. He is so big and strong - I fear that one day I might lost him on lead and then he will get another vice - that he CAN be naughty and I do not have enough power over him.
He is not a kicker, so I can push his bum in every way I want, and do not fear his nipping anymore - he is not showing his teeth anymore at all, so it is over, but he is sooooo strong! Much stronger than me even with bite!
I do not want slap him but maybe it is needed - farrier suggested for us to be much stronger with him as he is great horse, sweet baby, but spoiled rotten . I do not know what could be right, and it drives my crazy and makes me nervous. With dogs I know exactly what to do and I can keep them under the control without a thought. With horses - I have no feeling, understanding and knowledge.
He is a handful, and probably always will be - I fear that he can injure Peter and it would lead to many other problems and so on… My mum (she has SOME horse experience) loves Puika and wants to do with him much more… But she is 75! (Do not get the wrong idea - she is very strong lady, probably stronger than me in all meanings, and she is not an silly idiot - if she says that she can take horse in, it means that she can, but she is my mother and I do not want anything to happen).
OK, I had progressed a lot - I still remember my feelings when I went into Puika’s box to bring the water in for the first time… But it needed to be done and I did it (OK, it was a big thing for ME!) Now I’m hanging here and feel no fear at all - Puika likes me, let me put a halter or bridle on without any discussions (at the beginning it was a loooooong game which he enjoyed so much), I can slide under his head without fear, push his chest, jerk his lead when he is naughty, but…
I’M STILL NERVOUS! And now I’m considering about getting another horse! I’m crazy.
On the other side … the moments when Puika is sweet like he was yesterday and Peter said that maybe he just loves me and all he wants, is kisses and cuddles from me (Puika, not Peter, of course ) - they are very special moments which fills my heart… I like to lean on his shoulder and pat him when he talks back… I like to brush his mane and tail… And I do not even mind hard work to hold his back leg up for cleaning… But I fear that I will do something silly and accident will happen - with us or with him.
I’m just honestly describing how I feel - nervous, unsure and discussing with myself every night like maybe this burden is bigger than I can take. And then - I love him so much, he is such a beauty in my eyes, and I can not let him down by sending to slaughtery, so I just MUST do everything and hope for better…
Anna,
You are doing great, really! Think of how much more comfortable you are with Puika now than you were when you first got him. This will just keep growing as you learn more and have more experiences with him. In no time at all you’ll look back and realize that the things you were worried about don’t bother you anymore.
And, it is smart to be cautious about such a large animal.
You’re doing a great job with him and trust your instincts. You are very good at reading animals and the situation. I can tell by what you write about interactions with Puika.
You’ll be fine! Promise!
Also, I do think you should get another horse, not a goat. Puika will like it better and then you and Peter can ride together one day!
I really don’t think that you should beat yourself up over the confidence issues. You certainly have come along way in just a very short time. You are able to do thing now with ease that you wouldn’t have even considered 3 months ago.
Always respecting that you are working with a very large animal is not a bad thing, and a little bit of fear will always keep us on our toes and prevent us from becoming complacent. I think that a lot of horse mishaps can be attributed to owners who become too casual with their horses, too confident that horsy will never put a foot wrong. But they are animals and animals can never be predicted 100%.
You already seem to be able to pick up on body language and that will serve you well. It will also help to alert you to possible trouble when you can read your horse. From your adventures I know that you already have been doing this as I read of a time when you could tell Puika was not happy by his tail wringing, so you are certainly right in trusting your instincts.
This journey you have embarked on is a learning process that will never really end, horse-sense is something we can all build upon no matter how experienced or inexperienced we may be. You have horse-sense far beyond your horse experience, I know quite a few people who have many years of horse experience and not a lick of horse-sense. Don’t sell yourself and Peter short, you are doing an awesome job.:yes:
I’ve just read over this entire post and I am in love with your horse, your husbend, and you Anna!
You’re so compassionate; I wish I knew more people as caring and intelligent as you are. You went into something very difficult without much guidance, but researched and tried harder than anyone I’ve ever known and it seems like it has rewarded you greatly with a horse that loves you and all the gifts that alone can bring.
I cried a bit reading over some of the things you said concerning Puika’s need for friendship and his gratititude for your care and love. Makes me remember why I love these animals.
I want to go hug my horse now!
Cuddles…
…from these large beasties are just incredible, aren’t they? I am so glad you had that moment with your buddy. He needed a hug as much as you did, and the silent communication that you two shared is SO special.
It’s those little reminders that we all need touch and love, horse or human, in our daily lives. Give him a big 'ole cuddle from me! I’ll do the same here in Michigan with my big 'old gelding huggy bear Tommy!
Anna,
(My name is also Anna, by the way). I can really understand how you could be intimidated by such a big horse. I’ve been working with horses all of my life, and, when it came time to look at buying one, I looked at horses as big as your Puika. Many of them couldn’t/wouldn’t lift their hind feet for the farrier. I think most riders had just been too afraid to force the issue and train them to lift their feet. Frankly, it wasn’t something that I was willing to deal with. I really applaud you for all of the work that you do with Puika.
Is he pushing you around when you lead him for his walks, even with a bit in his mouth? As in, when you want to go somewhere, does he drag you in a different direction even if you show him that you don’t want to go there?
He dragged me once - good job that we have a long lead so I was safe at the end of lead. But his power is incredible - I felt like I am on water skis, leaving deep marks in the yard with my hills
But again, from his point of view, it was nothing bad - he just wanted his ritual drink from outside cow manger. He has habits, and I did not know then that he just must go there, drink a bit water and say hello to cows.
My mistake, not his, as he knew that now it is time to go, but I didn’t. We gradually are getting him out of this habit - we still take him there, but sometimes it is at the beginning, sometimes at the end of the walk, and sometimes in the middle of the riding - Peter just rides there, let him drink, check the cows and then back on road again. So gradually we are getting there, gradually.
This is the thing that makes me nervous. I do have such miserable amount of knowledge, so if Puika was not so patient with us, I would be injured already.
That dragging was not naughty, like “I will show who is the boss”, I presume he even had not noticed me much at the end of lead - he was just doing his daily routine that I had no idea at all. But for me that experience was bad enough - I realised that if he makes his mind, I can not control him, and THAT makes me really nervous.
When we GO for a walks, he is obedient, then I usually lead him by two hands - I’m on his left side, in my left hand the lead, right hand on his withers, holding the reins so I can easy turn him in needed direction. Then he feels that he is doing the job, and is good as he can. These walks had build MY confidence around him as he has very soft mouth, and he respond to the lightest touch to the reins, few milimetres with one finger is enough for him to respond nicely.
The same as with riding - Peter says that he is absolutely different horse when mounted - then he does all to keep you happy. He is doing his JOB. He is very happy and keen worker, trying hard to cooperate.
I can not tell by my experience as I still had not had mounted him - just for safety reasons - not mine, I’m sure that I will be ok on his back, but I need few more riding lessons as I do not want confuse him by silly commands, given by complete greenie. In some ways he is still green riding horse, he remembers well all that he had learned in his youth, but 10 year gap is a long time, so now only Pete who had had proper riding lessons and who had ridden horses at his childhood and youth, rides him. He do not need bite much when riding, he responds very well to the leg movements, hands and so on, and i must learn all that before I will try ride him.
So far Peter teaches him some dressage elements, and they both love it. And Puika is very clever - we have one spot where road is much wider, so Peter put him on sidewalking there (I do not know proper term for that, but you know, horse steps on side, crossing his legs). So next time when they went there, Puika already knew that there he must walk that way. Once was enough. To get him out of building another habit, we found another two more places where to excercise - so now he is not sure which place will be choosed for these things so he must listen you more than use his own head.
On the ground Puika seems dangerous, at least for me. He runs to Peter and then passes him just by few inches. By Puika’s opinion, it is a great game, but for me just looking at these games… Cold sweat.
He is showing off a bit with Peter, but not with me. I presume that somehow he understands that I can not play with him so he doesn’t - all in all he is very good sweetheart. He really do not want upset you. That’s for sure.
For example. Last week it was situation - Peter took him out of box to the pastures. It was all around mud near stable so Puika slipped a bit on boards and a bit lost his balance, lifted his head to keep his balance and pulled Peter on side. Just a bit, and nothing to tell Puika off - it was not his fault at all (Puika always is very good going out and in, that is only really good habit of Puika).
So Peter just turned his back to Puika, bent down and was just telling off the ground under his feet as this pull really put his knee back in pain. He was not shoulting or screaming, it was too painful for even that, so if Puika would be a jerk he would just walk away.
Puika did the opposite. He stepped gently towards Peter like “can I help you?” Then licked his back softly, gently rub his head against Peter like saying - sooory, I really did not wanted that…
And when Peter was able to walk again, Puika WALKED HIM to pastures. You know how it is - it was not naughty boy, playing around on his way, it was fully responsible adult doing his job to help you as much as he can.
It is so interesting to watch how he changes his beheivior. I’m learning, trying to understand him as much as I can, but so far I can not say like Peter does - watch, now he will do so or so. Peter can read him quite well. I still can’t, but I will, I’m sure one day I will.
Just a little hint - tomorrow probably new pictures will be added of the big event…
Anna;
I have been sneaking in to read this thread and enjoying it immensely
It certainly sounds like you are doing everything right and to the best of your knowledge.
Do not worry about being fearful - it would be unwise to NOT hold on to a little fear with an animal so large as a horse.
Rather tell yourself it is healthy for you to hold on to that fear and then call it something like “Respect” or “Caution”.
I find I usually get injured around horses when I become careless and take them for granted - even my Old Man (Vern in my profile pic) can still move his 1000+lbs very quickly and at about 1/5th his weight I am no more than a wisp of hay if he is not careful of where I am.
Now where are those new pictures???
I want to see pics! We must know what the surprise is!:yes:
Tomorrow, only tomorrow !
I just took few pictures tonight and they are very dark as they were taken after the sun went down…
But just for the hint…
this one
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/barryz15/Horse/PICT2995.jpg
It will tell you what to expect tomorrow! It is after midnight here now, so i’m off to bed now… to get ready for the big day tomorrow.
I have to guess…you got your saddle!!! Or did I miss something? I cannot wait until tomorrow…
