I'm a-Workin' at the Stables!

[TheSeedObsesser]

I'm working with horses!

I start working at my neighbor's stables on the 17th. The job goes through the summer and I take care of them every morning, $75 dollars a month (not much but along with experience and being able to say that I help seniors). I get Wednesdays off along with a day that I forgot about. I'll have to jugle this with schoolwork and working on the family farm but -

I'm working with horses!

Now only if you horse owners could tell me more about them so I can look like I know what I'm doing...

 

[so lucky]

Good for you, SeedO! I think you will love that job.

 

[Lavender2]

... Congrats! Great experience for you!
I know that it hurts when you get bucked off ... ... don't do that.

 

[canesisters]

What will you be doing?? I'd love to give you any help I could.

 

[thistlebloom]

Congratulations Seedo!
Probably the first thing that you will learn really well is that feed goes in the front end and comes out the back end.

I was your age when I got a job at a stable exercising horses and mucking stalls. Hard work, low pay, but I would have paid them to do it.

Be humble, admit your green, don't be afraid to ask questions. You may fool people but horses always know when you don't know what you're doing.

You strike me as a fast learner, and a capable guy. You're going to do great!

 

[NwMtGardener]

I think this is awesome!! I learned so much from horses, got my 1st when i was 11. I've had several different jobs with horses, from just being a stable hand - feeding and shoveling poo, to being a wrangler for guests in Jackson Hole, WY. I dont own any now, but i have access if i want to ride or just hang out with some.

Anyway, my advice is to watch some Pat Parelli training videos. He has an intuitive way of working with horses. I learned a ton about my own body language and how to use it better to influence horses. I think it might help you to be safer when working around them. I saw a set of videos at our library, maybe you can find them there?? You may find that the owners at the stable where you'll be working have different techniques for working with the horses, and that's okay. But its a good place to start getting in a "horse mentality"

 

[TheSeedObsesser]

I think this is awesome!! I learned so much from horses, got my 1st when i was 11. I've had several different jobs with horses, from just being a stable hand - feeding and shoveling poo, to being a wrangler for guests in Jackson Hole, WY. I dont own any now, but i have access if i want to ride or just hang out with some.

Anyway, my advice is to watch some Pat Parelli training videos. He has an intuitive way of working with horses. I learned a ton about my own body language and how to use it better to influence horses. I think it might help you to be safer when working around them. I saw a set of videos at our library, maybe you can find them there?? You may find that the owners at the stable where you'll be working have different techniques for working with the horses, and that's okay. But its a good place to start getting in a "horse mentality"

Ma works at the library, I'll ask her to look for me next day she works. Meanwhile, I'll search YouTube and the internet for more information, that's after I get off of TEG of course...

 

[baymule]

SeedO, there is a web site that has tons of info. Scroll down to the Q&A and start reading. It really gives you an insight to the way a horse thinks and what things are from their point of view. I think this site will be a good place for you to start.

http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/

 

[thistlebloom]

Also anything by Ray Hunt.

 

[AMKuska]

Also, basic safety:

Do not walk up to a horse from directly behind or directly in front. Their vision doesn't allow them to see in these two blind spots and you might startle them badly.

If you feed something to a horse, make your hand into a flat plate so as not to lose any fingers in the process.

Never EVER put your hand inside of a loop that is attached to a horse. If you loop a lead rope etc. Hold the outside of the loops so if the horse should take off, you won't get dragged.