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| Moderated by: Brenda Im |
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| Water | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15th, 2005 03:37 pm |
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1st Post |
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moonsmom G.O.G Community Member
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I have a 6-year-old Icelandic/Peruvian cross who is the most easy going horse I've ever been on - willing to try anything EXCEPT crossing water. I've been told to feed him so that he has to cross the water, but he leans as far forward as possible and drags the pan out and I've also saddled him in a ditch, standing with his back feet in the water, no problem. But going toward a wide expanse of water (puddle across the road) and we backed up until I made him go in circles, but would not go forward. Have tried spurs (but hate them) and all I got was sore legs and he was afraid of me for a day. Any ideas? Thanks, Judi
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15th, 2005 06:07 pm |
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2nd Post |
rackinjean58
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have you ever tried "ground games" with him? A good exercise would be to walk on a tarp, and stand still on a tarp.Perhaps you could put some water on the tarp to simulate water in a creek? Just my thoughts.. 
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15th, 2005 06:58 pm |
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3rd Post |
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moonsmom G.O.G Community Member
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Thank you - I'm willing to try any and all suggestions - other than beating on him. He grew up in eastern Colorado (no water), we're now in east Texas and there's water everywhere! Judi 
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17th, 2005 01:31 pm |
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4th Post |
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cclarsencc GOG V.I.P 
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Have you tryed this with another horse in front it may take a little time at first but try finding "big water" han have the other horse stand in the middle of it and give it some time for his natural curisoty to get the better of him self akke hin faceing the water and you can urge him a little but dont push to hard. (you both may have to bring a lunch in your saddle bags lol) chris 
____________________ Training starts every time you approach a horse and ends when you walk away. Horses can talk - We just need to listen See Whats New @ http://www.willbegaitin.com |
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17th, 2005 04:52 pm |
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5th Post |
jamieimus
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True True Chris. Great post tu1. This is something that your horse CAN and WILL do, although it may take time, and most definitely patience. Probably the more you try to force, the more your horse will resist. What I do is push forward with my body and give pressure with my legs. As soon as the horse even so much as leans forward, release the pressure. He will then think it was his idea to move forward and may take a step or two. Otherwise, lay off for a sec, and do it again. He will eventually probably sniff and taste the water. This is good. Give him time to explore it. Next thing you know, you'll be moving through it like a pro. Although, be prepared, because they will usually try to jump over it several times before walking through it. If they do, circle around and do it again. I've learned that the most important thing in getting horses to do things they are leery of is to have an established trust on the ground and under saddle first. They will be more willing to trust their rider even when that "fight or flight" syndrome kicks in. Good luck. Let us know how it goes! Jamie 
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| Posted: Wed Feb 23rd, 2005 05:18 pm |
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6th Post |
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moonsmom G.O.G Community Member
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I tried the black tarp with him - it was a struggle, but he wanted that carrot so badly, he finally stepped onto it. He jumped right back off, but we kept at it until he would stand on it - then he got the carrot. It took a while, but he's a willing guy, just has a phobia about water. We'll be doing it again until he's comfortable and then add water. Wish me luck! Thanks again for the suggestion. Judi
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| Posted: Wed Feb 23rd, 2005 09:57 pm |
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7th Post |
rackinjean58
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Youre welcome! Take your time with him, be persistant and confident that he will get over this. We had a showhorse that knew how to "push the riders buttons" in a show ring..Not a good situation.He would behave for me, but when someone else rode on him, he tried his best to fluster them, and it usually worked until.... we tried some games..I set up 2 plastic milk crates, and had the rider walk thru them..well..he went nuts..refused..balked.. carried on.. well after 30 min of pushing him,he fiaaly walked thru those 2 plastic milk crates.He never acted up again with this rider, because she made her point known to him that she was the bossmare.Almost the same thing with your guy..you are the bossmare Here is a pic of her and the showhorse after the games.. Attachment: Dscf0949.jpg (Downloaded 148 times)
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| Posted: Fri Feb 25th, 2005 09:47 pm |
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8th Post |
Brenda I-M
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Hi Judi, All great suggestions here. I also suggest that you get your horse out one day to a spot with water when you have NO intention of actually taking a trail ride. Work slowly to get your horse to lower its head toward the water by holding a treat (or gingersnap ) way down low. As the horse lowers its head, move the treat just one step (no more) farther out over the water so the horse has to reach out over it to get the treat. Don't expect him to walk in the water at all at this point.With your muck boots on, get in the water and just stand, holding your horse's lead. Carry a treat in the hand nearest to the horse, and just look around at the scenery. Every once in awhile offer the treat-again holding it very low so he has to put his head right down over the water. At this point you want him to take one step in-be ready to reward the horse the instant this happens, and not until. Don't get excited, but stand with slouched shoulders and relaxed posture, and speak in a very low, calm tone. If he doesn't step in, don't give the treat. Basically you're turning the water into a non-event. Over time you want to get the horse to put both front feet in the water, and then to cross. But it will take some time and a LOT of patience on your part. I'm not personally experienced with clicker training, but a friend of mine has done some experimenting with it, and is very successful at getting her horses to do simple things like loading, crossing water, etc. because of the principles she's taught with the clicker. Might be worth investigating (which I plan to do myself once our new indoor arena is completed and accessible). Good luck getting wet! Brenda
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| Posted: Sat Mar 5th, 2005 09:50 pm |
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9th Post |
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luckywalker G.O.G Community Member 
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I saw this work once. Find an area of water and do figure eights near it and keep inching closer until eventually you are doing them in and out of the water. That way the horse is thinking about the work and not the obstacle. Don't forget that lunch as mentioned earlier, this may take a while.
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| Posted: Sun Mar 6th, 2005 03:28 pm |
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10th Post |
jamieimus
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Now that sounds like a great idea too! I think many times our horse's make more of a game of these "obstacles" than anything. And I haven't met an animal or human (maybe a few ;)) who can be more stubborn than horses. Jamie
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| Posted: Sun Mar 6th, 2005 11:20 pm |
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11th Post |
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moonsmom G.O.G Community Member
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I think I've got a decent picture without too much mud on him. I'll send it along. Sounds like you've got a good breeding program going. I'm just a backyard jockey who enjoys getting outside and having a fine time on a horse (although I did do some endurance riding in Colorado on my MFT years ago). I was told when I bought him that I would be able to register him as part Peruvian, but not to even bother to try to talk to the Icelandic people - they're very selective about their horses - full Icelandic or nothing!! Did you know that if you buy an Icelandic in Iceland and transport it elsewhere, it can never be brought back? I also found out that in Iceland, the horses tear fish apart and eat the eggs. Since Moon will eat anything I put in front of him - from grapes to ice cream, ham sandwich, avacado, etc., I guess I believe that. Anyway, I appreciate all the ideas. I'm working my way through them. Picture is on the way. Thanks again. Judi
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| Posted: Tue Mar 15th, 2005 02:29 pm |
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12th Post |
zacharyimus
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Here is the picture of Judi's Icelandic/Peruvian cross. Attachment: IcelandicPasoCross.jpg (Downloaded 77 times)
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| Posted: Tue Mar 15th, 2005 03:26 pm |
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13th Post |
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moonsmom G.O.G Community Member
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Thank you so much for putting it on for me. I wanted to send just a picture of him - too bad the only one I had was of him looking like a mud puppy instead of a horse. Thanks again. ))
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