I finally got out to see Mercedes today and actually DO something with her. I think she was excited to see me too because when I went out, she ran over to me! There was another lady there turning her horse out and she went "AWWW! How cute is that?!" I just grinned ;D I actually think she spooked and was like "MOMMY!" but whatever, it was still nice.
I've noticed that she is getting a few bad habits! She is constantly pawing at the ground and when Frosty leaves her she won't stand still in the crossties. She is also starting to pull her legs away from me when I'm trying to pick them out. I don't know if she has thrush and it hurts, or if she is just being a dork. I have a feeling she has a bit of the thrush but not bad enough that it would hurt, I think. She is definitely not lame, so that's a good thing.
Anyways, after I was done grooming her, I took her into the arena to work in hand on her ground manners. She has gotten a little too pushy and likes to run into me when she gets scared, which is NOT safe. I was walking her in the arena and she was getting waaay ahead of herself so I would gently "tap" on the halter to remind her to take it easy but she would just push against it, so I tried to make her stop but all of a sudden she just BOLTED and freaked. At first I thought she had just spooked but after that happened 3 times in a row and her not looking scared at all, I knew she was just misbehaving. So we tried it again and when she did it again, I promptly made her move in a lunge, changing directions every so often. After a while I finally got her to listen and was able to control her and halt her when I wanted without her getting angry and lunging forward.
*Sigh*...I have alot of rework to do. She needs more confidence, in herself as well as me.
3 comments:
Hi!! It's Lacy :)
Well, just thought I would comment on your pawing issue. Thunder was becoming awful for this! It's usually because they are being brats or are bored. So when he does it I simply distract him with jingling the lead or the halter and say "No Paw" in a firm voice. I was also told to take your whip and knock it around their pawing leg at the time it happens, but I don't really like that idea. All you have to do is distract them. It gets his attention back to what we are doing (usually while grooming). Now, this has to be done EVERYTIME they try to paw (with the exception of preparing to roll) otherwise it wont kick in. They are babies and need to be told over and over and over lol. Soon it will happen fewer times. I am going through EVERYTHING you are at the moment lol. And it's going to be something that is going to have to be repeated over and over. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice on the pawing, it's getting annoying! She usually does it when I am away from her though, so by the time I get over there to correct her, she has stopped already. Do you have any other suggestions?
Not really..... maybe from far away you can crack your whip, or clap your hands together and holler "no paw" firmly EVERYTIME she starts to paw and when she looks like she is about to, catch her before with a distraction (whip noise) and say "uh-uh!", and if she doesn't stop, then you have to go up to her and correct it. You need to do something now, because she will only develop the habit even more, and then it might be awful once you ride her. They're young, this is what happens! They get bored so easily. Well, That's what I would do, but if you find something else out, let me know! lol
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