MENTORING: TraINING
Congratulations, finally got that "wild horse" you've always dreamed about! Have you reached the point where you wonder what you were thinking???? What do you do now? Now is the time to whoa up, take a deep breath, and consider the following:
- No one (for the most part) told you it was going to be easy!
- Take it one day at a time.this is not a contest, and you are not competing against time.
- No 2 horses are alike, so when applying given advice, don't expect the same results someone else got.
- Every time you work with your new animal learn something about it.
- Nothing can EVER be accomplished with abusive methods or punishment.
- You will have more bad days than good at first.
- This animal could hurt you, so use caution.
With these thoughts in your head, heres what to expect when you get your new dependent home.
In its pen your horse moves in random search of a weak spot in your fence. Smelling the ground, air, and the fence itself..may have tried to climb over, through, even under. In desperation the animal may lie down for brief spells. It may stomp its feet, paw the ground, and call for its herd. Not to worry, it will settle down in a brief period of time.
Feed it hay 3-4 times a day (I use a huge rubber tub for safety reasons), each time you feed or visit the pen, talk in a reassuring manner to the horse. Don't change your routine to make things less spooky for the newcomer, it must get used to your every day activities , also don't make any sudden moves toward it. After a couple of days and being sure the horse is eating and drinking well, introduce a small amount of grain by putting it on top of its hay. You will find it untouched for a few days but your horse will develop a taste for it. When the grain is disappearing from the bottom of the feeding tub, start feeding it in a much smaller, separate feeding device. By this time your horse is really starting to like the sweetfeed. You can now stand near the horse quietly and talk to it while it eats. Work on slowly pouring the grain into the small feeder, and getting your horse to approach and start eating as you do this. Your next introduction will be to hold the feeder while the grain is eaten. Make a big production out of pouring the grain into the feeder so your horse is aware you have it. Reach through the rails of your pen with the feeder in your hands and offer it. Stand very still while talking encouragingly. There may be some retreats to the far side, but your offering will be accepted in time. When horse willingly eats from the hand held pan, its time to introduce your touch. As it eats from the hand held pan, slowly move your other hand to a side of the horses face, or neck (where ever he will accept it). Caress softly at first and you are well on your way to making a friend. Do all the above from the outside of the pen, and remember some horses respond faster than others. Expect to frighten and be frightened, mistakes are a learning tool. ..anyone who says they never screwed up is lying.
Start looking and recognizing these signs of communication from your horse; (1) eyes and/or ears focused directly at you (2) licking of lips.
The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse in viable free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage. Its grassroots efforts are supported by a coalition of over forty organizations. More...
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