We Got A New Horse!

[catjac1975]

I have owned at least one gaited horse every year (I've owned 35 horses over the years) since 1986. They DO trot, which many people don't know, and usually to be balanced, like trotting while crossing a stream. If he was acting up NOW is the time to begin training. Get help if you are not sure how to retrain him. You are correct--underfed and undertrained/abused WILL become trouble as they get stronger. Start with PERFECT ground manners. Get him to drop his head and tip it towards you to put on his halter. Push his head at the poll (behind the ears) and say, "head down." Good to do this FIRST when there is grass to nibble out, and then use your foot underneath his head and tap up, and say, "head up." Horses learn English...and French and German, etc., very well. MY horses know the English, "open the gate" and will push it with their heads on command. Try to work with him with haltering and leading 5 minutes/day. Best to remain patient and then, as the US Cavalry Manual suggests, when he does it right, stop and "make much of him." That's when you can love on him and show that he has pleased you. Ryan Gingerich suggests that you repeat no more than 5x-7x on any skill when doing initial training. BUT, if he won't behave for the most basic handling KEEP repeating until he does it right. People don't realize that horses are not big dogs. Dogs want to please you and you become their "world." Horses follow leadership, but if they don't respect your leadership the horse WILL fill the void and become the leader.

BY THE WAY, every time one horse person gives you some advice or gives you a link, aNOTHER horse person will find fault. I only gave you this link in the case that you didn't know. Many of us buy great already trained horses and find it a mystery to start a horse or retrain one. Whatevery or WHOever you follow, just go with it. EVERY ONE of these TV trainers can sell you a horse that he started and you would be very pleased with that horse. EVERY ONE of them can retrain your horse for you, and you will be very pleased with the result.
Good luck!!! Been there, done that, done that WRONG and got thrown (broken arm), been there, done that RIGHT, (Corporal, "Arabian", bought as a green 4yo, 1982-2009, RIP).

I consider myself an intermediate backyarder. Way different from intermediate horse show person. I only buy older gentle horses.

 

[valley ranch]

I heard that Straight Arrow Mane and Tail Conditioner and Cowboy Magic Detangler do real well, so you don't break the hair of the tail and mane when you're working with it.

 

[thistlebloom]

Congratulations Bay! You're an awesome grammy!
He's cute, and I'm looking so forward to enjoying your progress with him.

 

[Nyboy]

Bay have you riden him yet ?

 

[baymule]

Bay have you riden him yet ?

Yes, I saddled him and rode him Friday morning. I wanted to make sure the bridle and saddle fit him, so I made adjustments on both. @seedcorn he did do a little gait, then broke into a trot. So I believe with a little work, he'll do just fine. You are right, he'll be worth every penny we paid for him. @ducks4you thanks for the info and advice. He is a little pushy when fed, but who can blame him? He's hungry! So I stand between him and the feed tub until he stops trying to go around me and stands still. I scratch his withers a few minutes, then step aside and tell him Take it. He is already standing now when I pour out his feed.

Well, it was a complete surprise! We really pulled it off. My husband went to pick up our grand daughter and 2 of her friends from school, they were going to spend the night. He went on and on about the surprise. We had planned it all out..... I was hiding behind the big wood chipper trucks that we let the power line cleaning crew park on our place for the weekend, with the horse. He made the girls shut their eyes and get down on the floor in the backseat of his truck. He drove up to the chicken coop, got them out one by one, making sure they kept their eyes shut. It just so happened that we did get some new pullets the day before....LOL He finally told them to open their eyes and shouted SURPRISE! He kept talking about the new chickens, keeping their attention on the chicken coop while I snuck up behind them with the horse. I got right behind them and DH said, "Now turn around and see your REAL surprise." Grand Daughter yelled "Y'all got a new horse?" DH-"No, YOU got a new horse!" Grand Daughter yelled in disbelief, "You mean he's MINE?" Me-"Yes, he's yours."

Three little girls launched themselves at the horse, screaming like banshees, grabbing and hugging him. A sensible horse would have whirled around and ran like wolves were after him......but he did nothing. he stood like a champ while the girls shrieked their delight, smothering him with hugs.

We put her on the horse. She threw up her hands and yelled, "I got a new horse AND I got chickens!!! This is the best day of my LIFE!"

We saddled him up and they all rode him. Basically I just walked around and he followed me. They were excited and they loved it. One of the girls had never been on a horse, I took her picture and texted it to her mom. We unsaddled and the girls brushed him again, loved on him some more and I showed our Grand Daughter how to feed and water him.

Then began the name game. I suggested Dandy or Beau. Nope. DH really liked Dandy, but the girls voted it down. Stormy. No, he's not stormy. Spirit!! Oh I love Spirit! That's my favorite horse name! But he's not spirited, he's calm and gentle and sweet. We need a name that fits him. We continued to toss names around, then Grand Daughter settled on Tempest. Tempest it was.

We also were keeping our two younger grand daughters, age 2 and 5 months. And they threw in the dog for good measure. It was a lively weekend.

I just wasn't satisfied with Tempest, so I started the name game again that night. Dh didn't like Tempest either, but she stuck to her guns. I threw out names, the girls shot them all down. They were watching a Harry Potter movie and there was a scene with a Phoenix bird. It hit me. "What about Phoenix? A Phoenix dies and is reborn again to a new life. The horse was in a kill pen, headed for death and slaughter. Now he has a new life." Thumbs up on Phoenix. It was unanimous. Horse has a new name to go with his new life. Phoenix.

The girls played all day Saturday. They ran through the woods, played on the piles of wood chips, played dress up, cooked our lunch (ramen noodles and grilled cheese sandwiches) and later, they made brownies. The baby felt bad, she was fretful, so I pretty much held her all weekend. The 2 year old would smile and say, "I love you Papaw" and Papaw would do anything she wanted. She is working him over already. The girls Moms came and got them Saturday evening.

This morning, we loaded up the kids and took them to Whataburger for breakfast. First time we ever took them all three anywhere. We told that to the lady that brought our food to the table. She laughed and asked if we wanted her to say a prayer for us, and she did. We took the oldest to a friends to spend the day and took the little ones home with us. Our DD came and picked up the little ones this evening.

Our oldest Grand Daughter fed Phoenix and watered him Saturday evening and this morning. Phoenix has started his new life.

 

[thistlebloom]

That is so awesome!

"I got a new horse AND I got chickens!!! This is the best day of my LIFE!"
Priceless!

 

[Nyboy]

Horses and chickens sounds like you might have another farmer in the family.

 

[seedcorn]

You already have your money's worth. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ninnymary]

Such blessings!

Mary

 

[valley ranch]

Great, I remember things like that. The view of you place in the background of the pictures show it to be really nice country.