|
Post by moondogie1 on Sept 8, 2007 9:43:01 GMT -5
Call me paranoid... but tomorrow a friend of mine wants to go for a ride with me. I always ride alone but I can' t put her off anymore. She has a gelding that just has issues. He's ok on the trail but plain and simple, he's an a@@. I've been bringing Windy along slowly and the last time I went riding with someone, she had a hard time but that was because I didn't like the other person and I'm sure Windy picked up on that. The next time (right after that ride) I went to put her in the trailer, she wouldn't get in. All I had to do was show her the whip and she got in but she's doing so well now. So, now I'm nervous about going with someone else I don't want to go in her trailer so we are taking mine. Mine is a two horse slant load trails west. Windy will go in first and her gelding will go in the back. Both are tied in with quick release ties. So, he won't be able to get to her. I plan to tie horses once we get there - on opposite sides of the trailer. What do you think?? Think that will be ok. I kind of wanted to take separate trailers but that seems kind of silly and my friend didn't want to do that.
|
|
|
Post by Calaminty Jane on Sept 8, 2007 13:40:37 GMT -5
You shouldn't have any trouble. Your rig gives them plenty of room to get away from each other. However, that said, you will more likely find that they bond by the time they get out of the trailer. I have trailered many horses to shows and trail rides that never saw each other before and by the time we arrived wherever, They were best buddies. Just take a deep breath and act as tho everything is normal and Windy will be just fine. Have a great ride.
|
|
|
Post by moondogie1 on Sept 9, 2007 16:36:18 GMT -5
Ride went great for me. But for my friend, Diane, it was sort of a disaster. I drove over to her house -- just a couple blocks away) to pick her up. Her horse refused to get into my trailer. Mine is a two horse slant load and hers is a 4 horse slant. We got Windy out and tried to get him in seeing it was bigger now. He finally got in. He wasn't scared, he was just saying NO, I don't want to. He was throwing a major temper tantrum. Windy just stood there and looked at him as if he was an idiot - LOL. So, he finally goes in and we just put Windy in the back spot -- she didn't care. We get to our riding area and Diane is trying to get over the fear of high spots and drop off areas. WE have a backcountry horsemen ride coming up in two weeks in this one area and she really wants to go. So, we thought we'd pre-ride it. Windy did great. She likes being in front tho. I'm still learning what Windy is all about since she's new to me this summer. We got around the second bend and Diane just couldn't finish the ride. She was way too terrified. Her horse was fine but she was just too scared. We turned around and found a place to get down and then go around on the flats. From there, she was having a good time. Windy...... was a little freaked out when Diane's horse would trot up behind her. Windy was walking so fast, her horse couldn't keep up. Windy would tuck her butt in and boost forward so when we got ahead and I could hear the horse trotting up behind, I turned Windy in a circle so she could see. Only did that a few times and then she was fine with it. When Diane trotted ahead of Windy, Windy would want to CATCH UP and be in the lead! I could feel her wanting to buck so I stopped that before it happened and worked with her -- showing her she can trot to catch up but she didn't have to get all crazy. Her previous owner had done one 50 mile endurance race on her so she still has that mentality. I did endurance for about 15 years but I just want to trail ride now. So, it might take some time for Windy to forget about all that competition. But she did great and I was very happy with her. All that worrying for nothing!
|
|
|
Post by Calaminty Jane on Sept 9, 2007 20:45:23 GMT -5
Good for you! When you 2 are riding, play leapfrog as you ride along. You go first and when possible let the other horse pass and lead for a while and then you pass and so on like that. After a while neither horse will care what position they are in and it will make future rides more enjoyable especially when in a large group where you can't get first. Also practice bending Windy around when you get on her. Slide your hand down the rein and hold until she gives even a little and release immediately. Keep doing that until she will bring her head around to the girth and soften. That will eventually allow you to just pick up the rein and she will bend to a stop. Eventually by picking up the rein, it will keep her from bucking. I learned that technique way back when I first found John Lyons and used it on an appy I had that would stretch his head down and pull me out of the saddle. I practiced that over and over until I thought it was a waste of time. The next trail ride he was crowding the horse in front and I closed my hands on the reins and he slowed without any argument. Boy was I shocked. Since then I have used it a lot and it is a very effective tool. I always wanted to do endurance riding but life got in the way. Now I am only good for a couple of hours. I'm so glad you had a good ride.
|
|
|
Post by moondogie1 on Sept 9, 2007 21:25:43 GMT -5
I will try that little trick - thank you
|
|