Bringing home two horse tomorrow Pics added post 16

[debiraymond]

These are 8 year old mustang/QH mixes and are currently at a wildlife sanctuary. They have been vetted, wormed, vaccinated and they are FREE. We bought the very minimal basics today - halter, lead, shampoo, conditioner, brushes and combs because they are in great need of grooming.

They have never been shod either. No splits, and we know we have to get a farrier out here right away.

They are tame, once haltered. The sanctuary has had them for 8 months so they haven't been saddled and ridden in that amount of time, or maybe longer.

My question is - how do we go about getting them ready to ride? Should we just jump on and hope for the best or bond with them first and earn their trust? We don't have our own saddles but Ken's nephew would let us use his for the time being.

ETA: WOW that looks funny with 1 post by my name!!!!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Bond with them first. Enlist the services of a good trainer if you aren't very experienced with horses. Mustang crosses should have good feet. There are a number of mustangs and half-mustangs that do endurance rides barefoot here in Michigan, 25-75 miles a weekend, plus conditioning miles.

While bonding and working with them, save up for your own saddles--we have a thread on here about saddles. Teach them basics, verbal commands and gait commands on the lunge line. Obstacles in hand like walking over poles or figure-8s through barrels will help the both of you in confidence, trust and ability.

I'd like to advise more, but DD needs a bath!

Good luck!

Welcome!

 

[debiraymond]

Thanks!! Ken's nephew is the one that is gonna be helping us learn everything we need to know. We are so exited to be able to give these two a great home, and now we have a hobby to!!!!

We are going to be hand feeding them treats too, so they get to know us and like us.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Daughter out of bath!

Word of caution about hand treats: some horses become very nippy and obnoxious about them, like some dogs can. If your horses start to get that way, STOP with the treats, use verbal or physical praise (patting or scratching) instead.

Also, do not let them rub on you or use you as a scratching post--no matter what the Pat Parelli DVD may tell you! Do not let them rub on you! This is a mjor dominance issue that I have seen with people and their horses.

Maybe 3 years dow the road once they respect you and your space, an occasional rub is all right.

I made that mistake with my horse, she knocked a volunteer at an endurance over trying to rub on her because my horse was itchy and sweaty and she figured since she could rub on me she could rub on everyone!

 

[debiraymond]

Daughter out of bath!

Word of caution about hand treats: some horses become very nippy and obnoxious about them, like some dogs can. If your horses start to get that way, STOP with the treats, use verbal or physical praise (patting or scratching) instead.

Also, do not let them rub on you or use you as a scratching post--no matter what the Pat Parelli DVD may tell you! Do not let them rub on you! This is a mjor dominance issue that I have seen with people and their horses.

Maybe 3 years dow the road once they respect you and your space, an occasional rub is all right.

I made that mistake with my horse, she knocked a volunteer at an endurance over trying to rub on her because my horse was itchy and sweaty and she figured since she could rub on me she could rub on everyone!

That's funny!!! We tested alot with them today. Hand feeding was one of them and they are nippy. However if I hold it flat in my hand, they didn't touch my skin with their teeth. The sanctuary let us spend hours with them today.

 

[debiraymond]

I forgot to mention that I almost put the gelding to sleep today - I found his spot - right under his chin.

 

[WallTenters]

If you're not going over really rough terrain, barefoot should be fine if you find a farrier that knows what the heck they're doing. If the horse's hoof is flat on the bottom when they leave, they don't know what they're doing.

Also, you can tell a lot about how saddle broke a horse is by throwing a towel over their back and leaning into their side. I wouldn't just jump on any horse that had a year or more off time, just because they're going to be a bit fresh.

It would be well worth your time and money to take them to a trainer for a few evaluation lessons - a good trainer will know what to do and how to guide you to each next step. Especially considering you're getting the horses for free, consider the trainer's fee the purchase price. Good luck!

 

[debiraymond]

If you're not going over really rough terrain, barefoot should be fine if you find a farrier that knows what the heck they're doing. If the horse's hoof is flat on the bottom when they leave, they don't know what they're doing.

Also, you can tell a lot about how saddle broke a horse is by throwing a towel over their back and leaning into their side. I wouldn't just jump on any horse that had a year or more off time, just because they're going to be a bit fresh.

It would be well worth your time and money to take them to a trainer for a few evaluation lessons - a good trainer will know what to do and how to guide you to each next step. Especially considering you're getting the horses for free, consider the trainer's fee the purchase price. Good luck!

Thanks!! We actually got to spend hours with them today and did all kinds of tests. They were a bit skittish until we got a rope over their necks, then they were fine. They are easy to lead too. Ken's nephew is a farrier - we actually made sure that we had resources to help us learn before we made the final decision to even get horses. We had been looking for quite a while and lo and behold two free horses in great condition!!!! We are ready to be thrown too. The nephew has already given us lessons on falling correctly as to suffer fewer injuries. We are very excited. Tomorrow they get their first baths in who knows how long!!! Got conditioner for the mane and tail too so it won't hurt.

 

[currycomb]

these are horses, not goats. horses are looking for a leader, be the leader, or you will be the follower, and the scenery never changes when you are following, get the picture??? horses have short attention spans, by the time you feed a treat as a reward, they are thinking of something else, so the reward is for what they were thinking, not what they did right, so reccommend feeding treats from a bucket or pan, not your hand. right now they are careful with your fingers, later when they are wanting the treat NOW, they won't be so careful. do what you want, just remember you have been warned by a couple different people.(have had and trained horses for40 years)

 

[debiraymond]

these are horses, not goats. horses are looking for a leader, be the leader, or you will be the follower, and the scenery never changes when you are following, get the picture??? horses have short attention spans, by the time you feed a treat as a reward, they are thinking of something else, so the reward is for what they were thinking, not what they did right, so reccommend feeding treats from a bucket or pan, not your hand. right now they are careful with your fingers, later when they are wanting the treat NOW, they won't be so careful. do what you want, just remember you have been warned by a couple different people.(have had and trained horses for40 years)

This is the first I read about using a bucket (wonder if I have one). I am aware they are not goats, goats are a nuisance. We were thinking of using the treats as a way to bond with them, as well as supplement their nutrition, not reward so much. They are home now and getting used to the land. We have been warned that they may be a bit nervous for a few days being in a new place.