I posted I'm looking for someone to ride with whose horse can be an example for my green horse. I said I would like to work on exercises like tying, standing still, and separation. I said I hope I find someone who places value on the development of a reliable trail horse.
44 hits, no responses. How about that. *sigh*
I did see a similar post to mine from a few years back from another town, and the lady only got one response from someone in her area, and it wasn't good news: "I wish I could help but my horse is young and green too!"
I thought it was just my problem, but perhaps it's more widespread than I realized.
***
My excellent new barefoot trimmer was here yesterday for Bellis. She's the most patient trimmer I've ever seen, no matter how many times Bellis full-body slammed us in resistance, she never got upset, and just babytalked her and carressed her. At one point Bellis threw the lady into the wall, and I scolded Bellis. The lady said, "No, that won't help." I said, "How do you do it? How do you stay cheerful when animals are hurting you?"
We spoke about many things and I mentioned how much trouble I'm having with Mara on the trails, how nervous she is. She said what I'd been told a few times before, "The reason your horse is having trouble is because she doesn't live in a herd situation - and a donkey is not an acceptable herdmate for a horse."
I thought about that for a long time silently. It would be ideal, of course, for Mara to live in a herd, or for us to even have another horse. But I think about trying to trail ride Mara with a horse screaming to her, left behind, at home. I cannot believe Mara would be calmer on trails in that situation.
To those who have been in a simliar situation, what do you think?
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13 comments:
I really don't have any experience in this. I do wonder would she be calmer if you ponied Bellis with her? That could be a handful for you so you would have to try in an arena at first. Perhaps a pony for another companion and pony the pony? I really don't have any good advice, I'd be struggling.
I'm trying to think about other bloggers. Lisa only has one horse, Apache, who she can trail ride anywhere, but she's also got the neighbor's horses next door. So, perhaps that is like being a part of a herd. My neighbors have one horse they keep in a paddock next to mine, and I think my horses soothe its nerves. It's an untrained Mustang, so I have no idea how it would do on the trails alone.
My Arabs always head out on the trails with their heads straight up in the air when alone, but mosey along at a relaxed pace when with a buddy horse. Rock is fine either way.
But, like you say, there are downsides to owning more than one horse. You get to deal with the herd-bound B.S. Baasha handled being alone, right?
As far as the riding partner thing goes... Remember all the trouble I had in Nevada getting someone to ride with me? I think it was because I wasn't in a horse community in which everyone was trying the same discipline. Horse owners were in these isolated pockets, and I think most of them feared riding their green horse with another green horse. I remember approaching people and seeing them instantly start fidgeting and muttering excuses when I suggested riding together.
It's easier in Arizona, because everyone here trail rides -- some on a daily basis, so you can find a lot of well trained horses and riders who fear nothing. I'm continually astounded by the number of people who step forward to offer to help when I don't even ask for it. It's just a whole different culture.
I obviously disagree with that statement. As you know Apache has been an only-horse the entire time I've owned her, over 4 years. And she is brave, calm, quiet and not interested in being with other horses when we are on the trails.
She and I are partners and she looks to me to protect her and watch out for her. She has no herd separation, because she has no herd.
But she's not alone either. She can see my neighbor's 4 horses and 3 alpacas. And she has our llamas and goats that share her space, too.
But she doesn't pine for any of them.
Now, we'll see if that changes this week, because I bought a mule! He's 9 years old and is a John mule. But he's also brave, calm, and laid back like Apache, too.
I bought him for my husband, but also to give Apache a rest from riding our rugged mountain trails.
Lisa
My Mare is an only. While I haven't ridden her out and about since our move. At our old place she did just fine riding thru the back woods just the two of us.
She's always had horses and or donkey's next door.
Personally I disagree with the farrier. I've had plenty of horses by themselves and it didn't make a lick of difference on how they rode or how they reacted to other horses. Even now, with 3 horses, they are all separate from each other. There is not calling for each other or at the riders that go down my road every day. Some horses are just nervous. Have you thought about trying a hard workout in the arena and then, once she's really tired, I mean good and sweaty tired, then take her out on the trail?
Our donkeys have been wonderful companions to our horses so I disagree that they aren't appropriate herdmates. I think that they are. Bellis and Mara get along well; I wouldn't worry about it.
Disagree!! It's all about the horse's personality. Chrome is absolutely no different leaving home alone when it's just him and the donkey than he was when Faran was here too. Her problems on the trail have nothing to do with her living situation I don't think. Obviously she would probably be happier in a group out on the trails, but when we can't find someone to ride with there's nothing we can do about it (I sympathize with you on that one!). She just needs time, experience and miles. Just like Chrome does. I just wish we both had riding buddies to make it easier for us.
P.S. OMG Lisa you bought a mule??? Cool!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on your newest member of the herd. :D
I don't have much time this morning but I wanted to say one thing that you guys got me thinking about.
Baasha - he's lived alone and in large herds, and in small herds.
He's the most herd bound horse I've ever met, and it made no difference, his living arrangements, anytime we saw another horse out on the trails, it was his BFF and he would neigh pitiously at it when we parted ways. Since this behavior never changed over his entire life, and was not influenced by his home life, I feel reassured that Mara having a herd at home would not help her on the trails.
And thanks to you guys for helping me think of it, cuz now I have an answer next time someone criticizes my horsekeeping situation. (And this happens to me regularly.)
I am in the camp that disagrees that a donkey is not an appropriate herd mate. There are countless examples of horses and donkeys being good companions for each other.
Christie, I have done this a couple times but the donkey is not a nice animal to pony, it's like trying to pony a couch: )
NM, you're so lucky you have found a trainer you like and have a friend who wants to ride and help train your horses!
Lisa, I'm curious if anything changes with the addition of a mule. I imagine there are people out there who believe mules are unacceptable herdmates for horses too, *lol*
Camryn, my horse pays attention to what the herd across the street are doing, even if she can't see them, she can hear them.
Tina, I've been unable to make my horse tired or sweaty in an arena. It's amazing, she doesn't even breathe hard when cantering/trotting/cavaletti for 40 minutes without stop. Then again this tactic doesn't usually work with Arabians - they have plenty of reserve left for nervous behavior.
Annette, I am so glad I found such a nice donkey, but it's hard not to let it get to me when I hear it over and over that my horse needs another horse and my donkey another donkey.
Achieve, one mistake I told myself I would not repeat with my 2nd horse - riding alone most of the time. Baasha was always a jerk in a group, simply because we did not ride with others enough. He was a dream to ride alone. And here I am, repeating the mistake, agh.
Melissa, I wonder if anyone ever chastises you about keeping only one donkey?
That lady (my trimmer) said "Horses and donkeys speak a different language." Well, what language does she mean? They both use body language, and to me, it looks identical. Tail swish means give me space. Ears sideways means sleeping. Pawing means frustration. What other language should I be aware of?
As for the riding alone, you do what you have to do. It's not your fault there are no suitable riding partners in the area.
I think your trimmer is.... uhh silly. Horses and donkeys think about things differently, but they use the same body language. Chrome and Zep have never had a problem communicating. I don't think they understand the difference between a bray and a neigh... Chrome knows the bray comes from the donkey, but I don't think he knows what it means. He pricks his ears, but doesn't answer back. When a horse neighs he will answer back. That's the only thing I've seen that they don't understand. Chrome has been with Zep for four years now and it's never been a problem!
It depends on the horse. Hana would holler and carry for about 2 minutes whenever I took Fiddle away (leaving her behind with the two goats and three immediately-adjacent neighbor horses. She would holler again when we returned. The middle bit was nbd.
Fee would carry on lightly for an hour when I took Hana away. It seemed very insincere, and when we returned, Fiddle would wander to the far corner to graze and not stand near H for the rest of the day.
Now it's just Fiddle and the goats (she tolerates them, they are not herdmates). The neighbor's horses are gone now. And Fee seems to like meeting other horses on the trail but rarely wants to stay with the group on a trail. She is NOT herdbound, and essentially lives alone. Some have said that *I* am her herd, and that's probably partly right.
Have you tried taking her for a walk on a trail near home? It should help her build confidence in herself and in you, and it will get her out of her comfort zone. This is what I'm doing with my green mare in preparation for trail riding alone.
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