Indian Rizing , AKA RZ is sold and the next couple of weeks will be his time to be weaned from his childhood buddies and learn to be in the barn alone and trailer load.
Took pony and RZ to trailer, my friend brought her horses over and has a slant load so we used it.
Loaded the pony and RZ walked right in, kind of tripped on the way in but stood calmly and after 5 min we backed out , I did like I usually do where I back them close to the edge and then push them out so they don’t hop back in when they feel the drop, he was calm,
So we went to the indoor to walk and do our exercised without the confidence pony. This was the first time without the pony.
We walked over poles, over the bridge, which after the trailer he thought it was no big deal, then did our baby exercises in the same area as always near the gate, bending , shoulder over, hip over and walk lunging. He was perfect so I turned him out, he only whinnied a couple of times.
Next lesson was walking on the off side, the non normal leading side. Worked in the indoor without the pony friend, we walked over poles, walked up on bridge then backed off of it then back on it and then walked forward off of the bridge. Then I led him over poles again and over the bridge again. Then did baby exercise and walk lunging. All went VERY well. Then walked him again on the off side back to his buddies
Tonight he was put in the broodmare barn with his pony buddy stalled next to him. He settled quickly once we gave him some hay. There are no other horses in this barn.
He was quiet when we went in for the night
Wednesday he was gelded, so no working and he has to stay in a stall for 24 hours
Thursday he can be turned out again
When it was time to be turned out, I turn him out first then go back and get the pony friend.
Thursday he was less wiggly and able to focus on me, than the day before.
It greatly helped that the pony friend did not call for him today, when the leader calls for a youngster when the youngster is in the same pen, that youngster had better go to the leader or ELSE he is in big trouble and will get scolded from the leader. I have seen this MANY times. That is why some times the young horses are so herd bound they are just being obedient. It is their nature because in the wild they would be dead if they did not stay with the herd.
I led him into his stall in the barn and he was the only horse. Food was more important to him than his buddy. He was quiet till the pony called for him then he just whinnied back but was calm
I put the pony across the alley and RZ was good with that and continued to eat his supper and look out into the drive where he could see activity of the cars and horses led. Up until now the pony was in the stall next to him with bars between them so they could see each other.
We have to lead two horses through that barn right past his stall and he did not care
On future days I lead RZ out and the pony joined him several hours later. And for coming back into the barn it was the same. I led RZ in and a while later led the pony in to put across the alley. RZ was adjusting well to being alone.
Tags: AQHA, Equine training, foal training, horse training, Indian Artbeat, Marie Hoffman, OEW Equine Center, On Eagles Wings Equine Center, Training, TTEAM