need advice!!! espc from those with horses..... - Page 3

Just do it, you will be ok. Some horses will want to go in before you do so dont be surprised if that happens. Some might hesitate a little if so then just be patient. Dont get in a hurry. Horses operate on horse time not people time and that can be a source of their anxiety sometimes. What were you nervous about? Because it is a big animal and you are in tight quarters with it? If these people know anything they wont give you a horse to lead by yourself that will be dangerous. Trust and respect is what you will need to work with horses. It works both ways. You should at least check out the Natural horsemanship link someone else posted. I think that is Parelli's stuff right? Anyway a horse is a prey animal and people are for all practical purposes predators. Our eyes are forward like a cat or dog  and horses eyes are on the side of their head. Their first reaction to danger will be flight most of the time. What kind of horses will you be working with? what ages are the horses? Are they all trained? Are they gentle? Youll have to give me more info to help any farther. 

When leading a horse keep in mind his back end will go the opposite direction as the front end,  so keep that front end (his head) close to you and his nose for the most part tipped your direction just slightly,  Most of them have been in and out so many times it's not even worth a second glance,  However keep your eyes and ears open,  a loud noise,  a bird,  a dog, an object moving when it shouldnt can be a source of "flight" for a horse,  and as Scout mentioned,  Horses  operate on they're time  not yours.   

Now don't keep a super tight lead unless a horse is "up",  "hot"  (meaning feeling good)  if you hold them too tightly they get weird,  if you hold them too loosely on the other hand,  they can get they're head away from you which puts the other end to you,  just keep it in mind.  

Ask alot of questions,  and keep your chin up,  also it's ok to be intimidated by them,  BUT don't let them be the boss,  the same as training a dog really,   You make sure that they do what they are supposed to and I can tell you from years of exp.  Older Mares are the worst !!    They sense a newbie and they will walk all over you !!    smack em one time on the neck and it's over,  But don't know if that's allowed there just ask for instruction if a critter gives you any trouble they will likely tell you,  You need to just let her know that your no dummy,  and she knows better anyway....   Older horses that know better are the ones that will try it,  LOL..    Good luck girl and give a hollar anytime,  I used to manage a Race Horse Rescue where we took in retired or SLOW race horses rehab them and adopt them to new homes,  we had Many Youths working with us with these horses and Race Horses are HOT,  Hard to handle but done right and keeping safety in mind always we NEVER had an injury to a horse or person.

Go for it!

Kathy

scout---quote>>Because it is a big animal and you are in tight quarters with it?<<,,,,,,,,,  yes.....im not clostraphobic or anything, but i guess i just had it in my head that the horse would not WANT to go in there, and i was kinda worried i was gonna have to make it.....it ended up not being a problem....but it was still a little scary.....  quote>>>>What kind of horses will you be working with? what ages are the horses? Are they all trained? Are they gentle?<<<<<  these people board horses, so its all kinds, all ages....i don't know if they are all trained....i think some may not be, some are rescues........but they also do riding lessons here so some are very used to different people, and very gentle, i think they are the ones i will be working with at first....

echo--quote>>>smack em one time on the neck <<<<thats just what they had told me to do.....eeekkk, u sure the horse won't hit back.?..lol...just kiddin.....i guess most horses that are trained know that this is a correction? if they are well trained, do they know this means..behave! ? ..........................quote.>>>>>>>>>BUT don't let them be the boss,  the same as training a dog really, <<<< this is just what i kept telling myself....just think of it as a oversized dog....dogs can hurt you with teeth, do lots of damage, but im not scared of them, so why should it be different with a horse....also, more people get hurt by dogs than horses right?

>>>.JUST DO IT>>>>GO FOR IT>>>> thanks for all the great advice yall.....i guess it just like everything else in life, it may be scary at first but eventually you get use to it, and it becomes a natural thing for you to do...i look forward to that time, when i can let the fear go and really start to enjoy myself........I guess my main fear is not that i will get hurt, its that im worried that the horses just won't LIKE me..and...lol...dumb huh? all other animals have always liked me....im always the first one that can get a nervous dog to come, or even deer, goats, cows....but there is just something about a horse, i guess what makes them so amazing to me, you feel like they are looking at you and sizing you up...i guess, for lack of better words... I know  right now the dont know me so they are looking at me, unsure of me as i am of them.....i hope im able to gain their trust....

You will gain the trust !!    Be confident, Patient, Kind, Understanding,  and forgiving,  They make mistakes too and they know it...

Yes they know it means to behave !!   

A story for you,  My daughter when she was about 4 was riding my guelding,  He knew all the ins and outs and cues and whoa's and go's.  BUT  He would take terrible advantage of her,  she was an excellent rider even at just 4,  BUT he refused to lope for her,  She came riding to me disgusted and angry and said he won't lope,  he just trots, in a short spent growling tone,  I told her if you want him to lope you'll have to MAKE him,  I told her get back out there and when he refuses your cue,  smack him with your rein just once on the hip.   She did it and he loped for her,  from that day forward he followed her cue and she NEVER had to smack him again....  He knew she could make him do what she wanted so he simply chose to comply.   Older horses are like that !!   LOL

Have FUN !!

wow...4 years old.....now i really feel like a dummy...lol....being worried about something a 4 year old can do.......your daughter is very lucky echo.....there was nothing more i wanted when i was a kid than to have a horse......also a GSD had always been a dream dog of mine...now i have the GSD, and one day i WILL get my own horse....atleast i can try to  make sure my kids have things/ animals..pets that i could never have as a kid......

You go girl !!!!!!!!!!  Let us know how things are going, you will not have much time, sounds like you will be tired but happy.

I have and will again. After my career as a journeyman jockey I took race track lay-ups in for years. Most of the help I hired were people with little/no experience like yourself, just wanting to work with animals and learn. They didn't make much money, (and you won't either, most likely) but what they learned doubtless is still with them. I helped turn a lot of young adults away from other "pastimes" that weren't near so healthy, healing some from broken.damaged homes and disasterous relationships in the time they worked for me. Sure, I got ripped off a few times, nothing major, but the value of knowing I may haved rescued a few from a worsr future, and the love and consciencious attention my animals received, was worth it in the long run.

Good luck!

SS

ok now I feel awful,  did not mean to make you feel like a dummy girl....   Just wanted you to know they WILL take advantage of you until your confidence comes up,  Expect it,  it's not bad,  cause you'll learn from it,  You'll learn just how ornry they can be at times....  Horses have a great sense of humor once you get to know them, LOL. 

You will LOVE every minute of torture those critters will put you through and each one of them will teach you.

Good lord if you lived close enougth,  I would buy a horse for you and give it to you,    I think it's awful you tried so hard as a youngster to obtain permission for a horse and you were denied.    I know all about girls and horses,  I could tell you stories all day....  :-)

You'll have your horse,  There will be  critter come through there that will be for sale that will FIT you,   wait for it,  cause when it FITS you will know and you will have a partner for life !!   (or as long it's life allows)

great news! just take a few deep breaths now and then! and remember to wear good sturdy boots!