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Less Is More Horsemanship Forum
Welcome to the Less Is More Forum. This forum is to post questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, principles, concepts and ideas regarding Natural Horsemanship and more importantly, the philosophy of "Less IS More". This is a place where like-minded people can come to throw away all the old traditional ways of training, and riding, and begin to experience a new FREEDOM in their relationship with their equine partners. Whether your goal is to learn more about natural horsemanship, get support for your own personal Less Is More belief, find solutions for problems that are hindering your relationship, begin a journey of discovery or healing, this is your home. Regardless of what the current "fads" are in traditional circles or natural horsemanship circles, I encourage you to think 'outside the box'. Feel free to post a message.
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 3) |
| Author | Comment |
Felicia
Jul 28, 07 - 10:21 PM |
Food obsession
I am wanting to start ponying my 3 y.o. Cody on trail rides. He has a big fit whenever I take Brandy without him, and his feet need the exercise. He'd enjoy it if I could get his head off the ground. He's absolutely food obsessed. If we pass by grass we wouldn't be going another step. He is not in the slightest bit aggressive, he is just 'starving'. He truly does have a good reason, he's alittle over 3, and this is the first time in his life he's been a decent weight. He's from severe neglect, and then being low-man in a big herd. He looked like a yearling when I got him. I've had him about 6 monthes, and he's a nice weight with a nice hay belly, looks atleast 2 now. But he still has to dig every last strand of hay out of the mud, and eat every bit of grass or he'll die of hunger. My mare has drawn blood a dozen times, because he won't leave a pile of hay, even when she's biting and kicking. I've never even seen her bite anybody else, she usually only threatens, he just WON'T leave. If someone has one more bite of grain then him, his head is in the bucket, even if it means the snot knocked out of him. I've seen him thrown to the ground and stomped (not by my mare) over hay! She's given up trying to chase him off anymore! He is an absolute angel all winter, while there is no grass to be eaten. He comes out loose in the yard and never leaves my side. Then the grass comes and he can't be moved for the world. |
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RebelsMom
Jul 30th, 2007 - 10:17 AM |
Re: Food obsession
I have the same problem with my 2 yr old... |
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Michael Gonzalez
Jul 30th, 2007 - 11:45 AM |
Re: Food obsession
I only have a few minutes while I am on break, so let's see what I can do to help.... first off, when you are dealing with a horse who is a "foodie" you have to be pro-active. My older arab crossed mare used to have the bad habit of doing that even though she was turned out on a pasture 24/7. If I begin to notice a pattern of where they want to graze, I will then pick up the pace as I approach and move with a determined focus past that point, then transition down and continue on. Have a spot picked out where you know that you will let him graze once you get there. This gives him a reward and he has something to look forward to. Anytime i see my partner's attention start to shift toward snatching a bite to eat, I ask for a transition of some sort...perhaps it is to speed up, or I change directions, or I ask for a lead change...the thing here is to ask for something and cause your horse to have to shift gears mentally. Now, let's say i do get past this...I always find a suitable palce on our trails where I will allow my partner to graze. We try to keep it as the same place in the beginning. In the early stages we only allow them to graze AFTER we have dismounted. What this does is set a pattern that when we are mounted, it is time to work, when we dismount, then we can relax...in a very short time we will have set a pattern and can then allow them to graze while we remain mounted. The thing here is that you need to be paying attention to your horse's ears and body language to determine whether they are paying attention to yoru cues or if they are looking ahead for the next possible morsel of food that is on the trail. When you are doen riding, dismount and allow them to graze with you while you have them in hand. Give them a treat of some nearby cclover or fresh grass before putting them up. Just remember, in the beginning, when you are mounted, it is time to work until you reach that designated resting, grazing spot. Reward them AFTER the ride as well with a litte graze time on some fresh grass. Be alert and pro-active when riding. Watch the ears and feel the body for a shift in your horse's attention. Make a request when you horse's attention shifts. Transition up in gait and transition down AFTER you have passed the spot where your horse wants to graze. be sure your horse gets plenty of fresh grass and turn out. This makes a difference. Michael |
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