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

[thatmoody]

Anna, do you have Vicks Vaporub in Latvia? That’s good to have around in the spring when the mares go into season…

We have two stallions at our farm, and they do quite well with the other horses - one is an Andalusian, and the other is a Friesian. They require careful handling, but other than that, they are fairly easy to be around. They are both show horses as well as breeding stallions, and we work VERY hard on their manners. They cannot call to the mares (or geldings) while they are working undersaddle or on the lead line, and they must pay attention to the handler at all times when out of the stall or pasture. That’s a good habit to get into. Their stalls are right next to each other, and they are pastured next to each other.

It sounds like you have a good setup for a single stallion, but still be careful to never let your guard down. I worked for a stud a long time ago and I’ve seen a stallion do some damage to another horse, and would rather not see that - they are not fire-breathing dragons, but can become aggressive when their hormones get the best of their brains!

[tbgurl]

I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed reading this thread. I haven’t read all of it yet, but the parts that I’ve caught have been very fun to read! Anna, you seem to be doing a wonderful job with all the animals you and Peter have taken on, and I love hearing about your adventures on your farm in Latvia. It’s also very interesting to learn about how things are done in your part of the world. Please keep your stories coming! :yes:

[AnnaCrew]

People, the new guy is an angel!!!

I’m so happy! The new stallion is an angel! Today was the first day when he got the “normal” turnout (before he got his turnout time 3 times a day with other hoses safely inside) - Guido with his girls far end, then Puika, and then - him. Puika and him were really interested to each other. They have only a low fence between them (and electricity we run from a car attery so it is not very serious, I usually have several pokes a day).

Polite sniffing went on - stallion was gently sniffing Puika’s head, neck, then Puika (!!!) shoved off and said something quite rude to the stallion, stallion - quite surprised - did some front leg movements (but not rearing, no), just like “don’t be so silly!” and then… that was it. All day it was going better and better until tonight when Peter was riding Guido in arena. My niece suddenly spotted that fencing (white electric tape) between Puika and stallion is down (broken). Guess what they both did - stood there like asking “mom, uuups, we broke it, sorry, please come and repair it!” So I did. I went in and repaired fence, patted them both for being good boys and felt such a relief. The new horse really is such a well behaved sweetie!

OK, it is nice that people like him (he is beautiful indeed), go ba-ba about his pedigree, ask me about the stud fee and so on… For me it means nothing (you know, I’m not sure about his legs, his possible breeding quality and so on). But I’m sooooooo happy that he already had made friends with Puika and is acting absolutely nice and polite. OK, I will always remember that he is a stallion, sure, but this is just the best thing for me.

[AnnaCrew]

Good news! People, we cured Guido’s problem!!! He has no more heavy, unbalanced landing, has no more crazy pulling reins - nothing. We have sooo happy well trained and proper jumping horse!!! We just borrowed and tried the bitless Cook bridle and tried - voila! No more pulling, no more balance problems, nothing - happy, relaxed horse over jumps, happy cantering, no problems at all!
No we must get a serious dental vet to find out what is wrong in his mouth, but anyway - now we have one very happy sports horse!

[ivy62]

This is good news!!! Dr. Cook’s bridle is awesome…So how many riding horses do you have now? And does Peter ride them all? You’ve got to help him…he is quickly becoming some rider…Pictures please…

[outofthebox]

Very interesting about Guido and the bitless bridle… I really love how you investigate the problems of the horses you are given and are willing to try different methods to help them.
I would love a pix of Peter jumping in the bitless! And more Dagy pix, please!

[AnnaCrew]

here are some
Peter trying out the bridle
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/05-08-09iemaukti/PICT4855.jpg

And here - just one jump - and not with peter, we have 2 girls visiting here for few days - muuuuch better landing than before.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/05-08-09iemaukti/PICT4859.jpg

Today he was showing much better response on bridle on turns - yesterday he needed some hand movements, today he was responding on fingers. He got the new bridle instantly.
I was a bit worried in case he will start to pull again when the first surprise will be over but so far so good, so seems that he really has some mess in his mouth. Poor boy.

[Carrera]

He looks much happier! Good job working with your horse to help him and make him happy!

[beesknees]

He looks much better. When I watched his video of one of the women jumping him I was wondering why he was pulling like that. Glad you guys were able to find the bridle for him! Do you know if hes ever had is teeth floated (filed down)? I’m sure the vet will be able to tell More pictures and videos please, I just love following your guy’s story!!

Oh i found the new videos you posted haha!

[harveyhorses]

Everyone on your farm looks so happy! We had a lot of success with the bitless bridle, pony had a cracked tooth that we were going to have removed when the weather got cooler, but it fell out before. (did not want to sedate her in mid summer) Great job you are doing!

[AnnaCrew]

Thank you! he is sooo much better every next day now. He listens, and learns, and was not behaving only by surprise of different bridle - he really is a nice horse now, and every next day is getting better now.

You can feel that he is comfortable now and ready to please, not to run away from you. Of course, he will have a long training now to learn things, but at least instead of physically fighting with reins up to blood in palms now we have a energetic, temperamental horse who is happy to do the job.

We do not know what exactly is wrong in his mouth - teeth, old scars, or something, but at least now we know that the problem is hidden directly in his mouth. Poor sod - he was suffering for years because of people had not done their job right.

[AnnaCrew]

Here are few pictures of our poor stallion Daggy He is such a good boy (remember, I’m still scared of horses, but he is so sweet, obedient and well schooled - really, if not his legs, he would not have price).

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5043.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5057.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5104.jpg

He really does not nee reins - he does everything just on leg commands
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5116.jpg

Cantering
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5193.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5175.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5188.jpg

With Puika - they are still separated but soon they will go in the same paddock - they are buddies already

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5204.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5205.jpg

And Puika himself, still fat, but happy
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/10-08-09daugav/PICT5208.jpg

[AnnaCrew]

Can I introduce my barefoot farrier?

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/09-08-09kalejs/PICT5035.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/09-08-09kalejs/PICT5040.jpg

[beesknees]

Just wanted to bump up…I wanna hear some more updates!

[AnnaCrew]

Nothing interesting to report, actually. Since Daggy we added two more, and Guido now is at trainer for the final polishing up and then we hope to find him a new home, hopefully till the end of this year.

All my fears of stallions per se are gone as Daggy is the angel, gentleman, best behaving horse that I had seen in my life - I feel honored to have him in my herd. He has been dewormed, and now we are trying to fill him up a bit. He enjoys his paddock and spends all the time there - I’m so happy that we can give him 24/7 outside in large pastures - he can have as much freedom as he wants - absolutely adorable gentleman. He allows dogs hang around, taste his mash, and you can see my GSD Cedrik bringing him all his favorite toys to play with and then just lay down there with him for a company - even dogs love him.

New additions:
old broodmare, sweet and mellow Latvian breed, 17 h, nearly 20 years, no problems at all. She is also rideable, but just for slow walks with beginners (big, comfy back to sit on) and trotting and cantering is not on her agenda Our herd accepted her instantly and she fitted in perfect in first 10 minutes. Her only problem is - she does not want to stay alone, so finding her a new home might be a bit of problem (usually here people who are looking for old horses as pasture decorations, do not want more than one horse).

2.4 yo boy
He is our current problem horse. Well fed, no problems with that. Other than that all was done wrong. He had been ridden since yearling, but no basic groundwork training at all, no vet care, vaccines or farrier.
When this stallion without any respect to humans started to attack his owners, biting and rearing on them, it was “help” and “must go ASAP”, usual crap. We took him directly to the vet, gelded, and now he is at vet waiting for his hormones to go down and then we shall bring him home. Vet says that he will be OK, he learns fast and has learned some respect already so hopefully he will be OK. Other than that he is in good health and his pedigree is not bad at all - may grow into a good jumping prospect.

Pictures of both of them are at my blog. If you click on pictures, you can see them full. Girl in Renny pictures is our wonderful vet.

[AnnaCrew]

Just today’s news… Renny has found a new home, and so far seems that it will be good and will fit him very well. Deal had not been completed yet, but any day now. And it means… free space for one more and we agreed to take another one in. So tomorrow will arrive a new girl, 6 yo Lilly.

Sweet, nice, green girl, neglected just because of the chain of silly coincidences, and so far seems that all what she needs is a lot of nice meals and a lot of hugs and kisses.

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/05-09-09lilly/PICT5849.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/05-09-09lilly/PICT5857.jpg

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/05-09-09lilly/PICT5854.jpg

By sire she is ganddaughter of Gouguin

Her mother’s sire is also sire of our stallion Daggy, thus we can build a true family relationship

[ivy62]

Anna crew- You guys never sease to amaze me. Just when I think you can’t handle any more you prove me wrong…I think you guys deserve a prize!
She looks nice but a bit depressed…What issues does she have?
Keep the pics coming…

[AnnaCrew]

Lilly arrived home this morning. After an hour inside with Giva and a nice meal we led them out together. She still looks depressed and somehow dull, but we hope that not for long. Giva accepted her instantly so tomorrow we might put her out with other mares.
With Giva

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/06-09-09lilly/PICT5864.jpg

There is no problems with groundwork - she knows it all, is nice, sweet and calm lady. Likes mud bath, as you can see

So far seems that all what she want in life is kisses and cuddles. She pins her ears back, closes eyes and stretches her neck and seems that she is ready to stay that way all day long.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/06-09-09lilly/PICT5871.jpg

She follows when called without lead, stops on Whoa and all in all is very good girl.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq222/ozolkalni/06-09-09lilly/PICT5874.jpg

As she is new here, later we put both of them in so Giva can look after her. Peter was leading both girls together and she was so god walking step by step along with Giva with peter between them.

So far so good. I’m a bit worried about her back left leg (she likes to hold it up a lot, but there is no signs of limping; vet checked it and also had not find anything to worry about. So hopefully she is just a bit tired of all the changes in her life.

[AnnaCrew]

WOW! Folk, just WOW!

Peter tried to ride our new mare Lilly today. We did not expected much - due to condition and due to the person we got her from. We were told that nothing has been done to the mare, just basic training. According to seller - just walk, trot, a bit of canter. And a bit of turns on bite. Green with basics, and no, no issues at all, calm horse to “sleep with”.

So first suspicions I got already when I brushed her in field. She does not move. At all. Stands completely still. Brushed her a good half hour in field - she was just standing and looked happy. Did not move.

Then Peter took saddle. She stood still. In field. No lead, nothing, just standing loose. Put the saddle on. She did not moved an inch, I continued brushing.

Then bridle. Head down, head in, only … she does not open her teeth instantly. Took a few seconds to convince her to open teeth. Then bridle on. She still does not move and seems happy.

Then Peter mounted her.Sat on her. She still does not move.Stands perfectly still, calm and relaxed. And then peter lightly asked her to move.

Yeah… right… Green horse, basic training… Yeah… She has been trained for Dressage and had been trained well. Peter was an idiot on her back as he has no slightest idea about Dressage. He moves a muscle on his body, horse does something different - only thing that I recognized was pirouette.

Slightly moved fingers - again, something different. After about 5 minutes Peter went off and said that he will not even ride her as he do not want to mess her up.

Took the saddle off - she still stands. Took the bridle off, she does not move. Took halter, she puts her head straight in. And stands. Then I spent another half hour brushing her. Still in field. She is sooooo sweeeeet! OMG! What a gem in our hands. Yeah, another rescue. Right…

[Equibrit]

Look at post 931 and note the difference in the body language of the horse between pic #1 and #2. She looks a bit weird through the sacrum.