Impdreams
Posted : 4/20/2010 3:24:41 AM
There are a lot of utube horse training videos available. Here is a link to a Monty Roberts Join Up one you may find interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dx91mH2voo Of course, you must weed out the junk as with any website.
Sometimes asking too many people is as confusing as asking no one. Is there an experienced horse person in your area that could show you a few basics? A lot of horse people (I'm not talking about professional trainers, but knowledgeable people) come to the aid of another for low cost, even free because they don't want to see someone get hurt.
It's hard for anyone to tell you exactly where to start without a specific question and specific examples of your mare's behavior.
You want her to give you space? First watch the video to the link I enclosed. With a lounge line, gently ask her to move away from you. Repeat this several times daily, till she equates the movement of your hands with the movement of the lounge line as a shooing gesture.
When she is on the lead or on cross-ties, also ask her to move away from you by pushing on her. Is this something she already knows or does she push her weight back into you? Getting her to move a step to the side with a slight push is another important aspect of asking for your space. Horses pick this up rather quickly with daily practice.
You ask about putting the bridle on. Yes, by all means do as much as you can from the ground before getting on her back. Bridle her and ask her to bend her head and neck whichever direction you pull on the reins. Does she do this easily or is it a tug of war? Be gentle. Ask gently but firmly. And remember to use pressure on the reins as if you were on top of her even if you happen to be standing next to her (slightly down and back toward her shoulder).
You will get better results from this forum, I believe, by asking specific questions (ie. when I do this my mare does that, what can I do?).
And I read your other post about your colt. I'm sorry you had to experience that. I agree with someone else that wrote that there was probably other things wrong with the foal and it was not your fault. I know it doesn't make the pain any easier, but what is going to happen will, in the end. Learn from the past, but look to the future.
Take care and good luck.