need advice!!! espc from those with horses..... - Page 4

and dont forget to never stand behind the back legs   keep to the right or left    and look and listen  ,,,,back feet kick and that the first thing that moves if horse gets a little antsy or spooked   

no big deal if you follow that all the time  approach with confidence  just dont stand behind a rear end.....move the horse if something needs picking up or dealt with   

Good  luck  my friend trains horses and has three stallions,,,,,at the present.....he tried bull riding and that is a story in itself.....a hilarious one.....

echo--quote>>>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)<<<<                 I think  he's already there!...there was one young colt...4months old, very big for his age they said- already wers a yearling halter....well anyways they said he was a little onery..was jumping away when the man was trying to pet him..but when i went to pet him he laid/ relaxed his head towards me, he seemed intrested in me, not suspicious of me....this the one i still keep thinking about....its gonna be fun watching him grow up.....have no idea if he will ever be for sale tho .....

angusmom...thanks for reminding me about boots! i gotta pick some up this weeked........should i get steal toe? i've heard that steal toe can actually cause more damage when working around heavy things, because the steal can bend and cut into the toes,  does that apply to this to?

yellowrose...Id love to hear that story one day! sound interesting....

Yep, many stable owners/trainers like having green help who dont have to unlearn bad habits!!

A couple of quick thoughts just from skimming the thread....-

do NOT get in the habit of standing to the side and letting the horse go in front of you into a stall - before you know it, they will just plain run you over anywhere

ALWAYS use a lead when working with a horse, even if only to move him from one stall to the one next to it

Always talk to one when coming up on it, letting it know you are there...and a deep growly "quit" is often enough to settle one who is fractious, and don't tickle them with a light pat, make it firm when coming up into their space... 

Have fun!!!!!

Horses dont like to be patted actually. at least most dont. stroked yes patted no.

Yes you have to talk to them when approaching and let them know you are there.

Walking to the side is ok but it is true that some might try and go past if they arent real good on a lead. They wont run over you if you are to the side but they could get away from you and if they get away once they will try it again. Wlaking in front is ok if you have the horses respect. If you dont they will just run over you. Personally I always made them walk several steps behind me. If I backed up they backed up. If I stopped they stopped. That is respect, they must respect  your space. When going into a stall I usually sent them in with lead direction and then took off the halter once they were in the stall and turned around. That way I never really had to get in the stall with them if i didnt want to. You dont want them running in the stal or rushing through gates and doors though. Its a balancing act for sure. trust and respect.

luv, i don't know that i'd get steel toed boots, just good heavy leather cowboy or work boots. nothing w/ a tall heel (obviously) but good support. and watch where they walk! i can't  begin to tell you how much it hurts for a 900 lb horse to park on your instep. my own damn fault, but boy did i learn THAT lesson! have a good time learning horse stuff!! i'm a little jealous (just a little). 

I have a good story. when I did Girl Scouts with my daughters, we did the horse badge. while doing it I learned If you ever have to come off the horse, put you hands on it firmly so that they know where you are. Myself and my Co take the girls to stables to ride for reward on completing the badge. The trail was skinny and on the side of a mountain and a hot day. The horse I was on saw his chance and split full on. He could not get by one of the horse's in the way so we began to slide down the mountian. I jumped off and scared to death, I stayed there and put my hands on the horse and leaned into him. He was able to right himself and get back up the hill, I climbed back up. On the trail above me I see all the girls crying, and my daughters face was so pale. To get down the hill I had to get back on the S>O>B> and we had to stager the horses to block him from taking off again. Was a mess the rest of the horse were so nervous over this. One of the girls in front of me could not move over and would get scratched by brush. We had about 75 girls in camp and the night before, I went over with the gilrs about ants, wild animals and food (hidden candy), they emptied out their tents, It was like tricker treating. they were also taught, all about making yourself Big if you see a cougar or bobcat. Well, after we got back from the ride from hell, I just wanted a drink of Ice Tea (I really wanted stiff drink) and to sit quietly for a few mintues while I gathered myself. I am sitting there and my daughter tells me "Mom there is a couger over there", I tell her Knock it off and give me a minute, she starts in on me again. I am about to lose it when I see her stand on her tippee toes and put her hands in the air and start to growl, so I look Over and oh my, this cat is on a sunday walk on the other side of the camp ground. So I start passing the word to the other leaders and getting the girls to our side and loading as many as we could in the few cars we had on this side. They were packed so tight in the car one of them hyperventalated (sp). One camping trip I never going to forget, and those lessons for the badges, they do work!!!!!