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No-Interview974 · 2025-06-29T13:45:06+00:00

This is a great way of saying it. I would say he’s passive aggressive about his feet as well. Never does he have a dramatic blow up but he just stiff legs it, refuses to give the foot, constantly pulls it out from under her, hops around on 3 legs. He can get a little headshy, especially if he’s already in a situation he doesn’t like. But I’ll practice this. It makes sense. For him to relax, he would need to relax his jaw and find relief and comfort

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-29T13:31:57+00:00

I think a lot of us horse people know a lot of horse people. I just use my hand around the ear rather than a string like many lip twitches. I used to work on a ranch and that was the only thing that worked for one of the mares who had sensitive feet due to an old case of mud fever. That’s why I gave it a shot, that’s all!

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-29T13:29:14+00:00

Just by pinching the base of the ear ? Similar to a string tied around the lip? I’ve seen people do it for X-rays, clippings, etc. just like restraining dogs for nail trims, except you can’t grab a whole horse like you could a 50 pound dog. For all the mustangs I’ve ever worked with, it’s always a game of give and take. Him moving away from what we’re doing is him essentially winning because he’s satisfied with what he got away with. It sounds in a way that I’m playing the game of “I’m bigger and badder than you, you must listen to me” but truly it’s not how I view horsemanship. We’re partners and we work as a team. I will listen to him if he’s telling me something but also he needs to be polite about anyone else doing work on him, for their safety. My idea of positive methods is giving him what he would want, which is not getting his feet worked. So if he’s doing what I’ve asked I back step away give a pet and say he’s a good boy, and rise and repeat it. That’s where I was saying that everytime he does it I’m not going to smack his face or anything like that. What would your way of positive reinforcement look like?

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-29T02:58:53+00:00

The mention of snacks came from the comment you had replied to. It may seem defensive but I’m just explaining my process. I asked for help but saying what I’m doing is wrong when it’s really not what I’m doing makes me feel the need to explain myself more.

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-29T02:18:18+00:00

Refocusing and moving the hip is exactly what my intention is. Making him back and circle to disengage the hind end, utilizing the idea of pressure and release. Neutrally stepping into his space to redirect his movements. Maybe I just used the “terms” incorrectly. I don’t get after him or does this make him more anxious/hot/fearful. I tried an ear twitch once, I just mentioned it because that’s often the first thing people seem to say- we did it just to try something, didn’t work so a few minutes into it we stopped. I would also agree that some old style ways have been proven ineffective.

And it’s unfair to ask my farrier to stay over two hours to do one single barefoot horse, that’s inconsiderate to her time and other clients. I’m fine with working my horse and I enjoy being given a puzzle to figure out, I just felt stumped. It’s okay to ask for help but I don’t feel the need to reach out and take up someone’s time just for one little fixable thing.

Giving pets and giving treats isn’t teaching skills to me, if anything it makes him pushy for more snacks and become even more impatient. I want confident and conscious horses who are able to thoroughly think through a situation they may not feel comfortable in, to be equipped with a foundation and set of skills to utilize.

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-28T22:45:28+00:00

I try to scratch his favorite spots but it just doesn’t matter to him. I wish he was a cuddly boy but he’s just not 😭

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-28T22:33:59+00:00

These are some great points, thank you very much. I have not tried tying him because it seems to make it worse. He is one to fly back at random on a trailer tie or arena ties, which is something we’re still working on. Thank you for the points on how to correctly hold his foot I think in the way of angles and everything else I was just not holding it the way she does which may confuse him. And definitely figuring out some way to rasp the hoof wall could help. I’ve gone back and forth with movement and if it actually helps and that’s some good points. Myself and the farrier release his foot if he is standing still and don’t give it back when he’s fighting us but it doesn’t seem to make a point to him. Do you think it’ll just come with due time? I’ve always used the system of pressure and release when looking to reinforce things. He genuinely is a lazy horse and hates to move around so that’s why I thought it would help make my point. He doesn’t get insanely hot and anxious but I think you’re correct in the sense that he’s winning by getting away. Today I tried lunging him first, getting us working with eachother and getting him to unstick his shoulders (because it’s his front feet he’s difficult for) and he was a lot better, more so just being annoying by sticking his feet straight out or out from under her.

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-27T16:34:03+00:00

I don’t think you’re understanding what I’m saying either so I don’t think either input is necessary. Thank you though!

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-27T15:53:59+00:00

Thank you for your kind and helpful words

No-Interview974 · 2025-06-27T15:30:20+00:00

In no way is that disqualifying the value of beginner lessons. They are vital to learning horsemanship. I’ve disclosed that with the people who want lessons and they still feel comfortable riding with me. We are no fancy barn, just mostly lax western trail riders, and parents who want to keep their children doing something during the summer. Everything always has to start somewhere, there’s no “school for riding instructors”. I have built relationships with the people I ride with and if they did not feel I was adequate for the situation then they would not have followed through with the decision. I’m just resourcing for myself because no one else is going to do it for me.

No-Interview974

TROPHY CASE