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| Working with a really stubborn alpha pony | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 3 2009, 07:27 PM (335 Views) | |
| La Gringa | Jun 3 2009, 07:27 PM Post #1 |
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Starving Artist
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At camp, we have a really cute Halflinger pony mare who is very dominant and pushy. She pushed people over and is very stubborn to ride sometimes, wants to turn into the ring, hard to turn etc. We worked her in a round pen today and did get some respect. She finally did face us and "join up" so to speak as far as attitude. What else might I try to get an upperhand on a pony like this? She's as big as a house... short but very strong. She has been allowed to push around for some time it seems. Any ideas? |
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| Trialbyfire | Jun 4 2009, 09:31 AM Post #2 |
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You're BANNED!
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Does she look something like this:![]() Does she think her name is "Get over here you little bastard" or conversely "Get AWAY from me you little bastard!!"?? If so, we have the same problem. My boarder is only 1/2 Halflinger but I think the only QH he got was his coloring. And I've attributed a lot of his bad behavior to his lack of training/socialization, etc. but the more I hear about Halflingers, I think it might just be breed characteristics! His ground manners are terrible, he bites and chews, and he will walk over/through/on top of you if you're in the way. Not even in a bad way, he either doesn't realize his own size (and thinks he can squeeze by) or just doesn't actually notice or think about you. What has worked the best to improve his behavior is to keep him in constant work and make him tired. Not sure how much work your horses are getting; in his case it doesn't take much because he's pretty portly. But he is actually sweet and cuddly after he's been ridden. I think part of it is the fact that he had to take direction, and the other part that he is tired. Getting him ready to ride is a chore and he doesn't stand well for grooming but he's getting better. I'll bet she'll be much nicer after she's worked most of the summer. I hope. ![]() Good luck! Edited to add: this guy is not very flexible and it is hard for him to bend nicely. He even has a harder time holding his hind feet up for the farrier and the farrier has commented that a lot of that is just his conformation, big but "short" muscles and a lot of girth. I think it will take this guy a lot more time to develop a nice bend and the fitness to ride more smoothly. Edited by Trialbyfire, Jun 4 2009, 09:33 AM.
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| La Gringa | Jun 4 2009, 05:40 PM Post #3 |
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Starving Artist
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This mare is 100% Halflinger. I think it may be a breed thing.. but i am going to give it a go with her. She did improve today, she was tired. She may be too tough for the kids though I will give it a week if she doesn't get a lot better she will be exchanged for a different camp horse. |
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| OpticalIllusion | Jun 5 2009, 12:04 PM Post #4 |
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You're BANNED!
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If she is walking on top of you with no respect for your space, I would consider carrying a bat in your hand. If she tries to be pushy, give her a swat on her shoulder and say "No" at the same time so she wakes up and pays attention. I find the bats with the big floppy end on it that make lots of noise work best. Its not a 'beat the pony thing' but a loud sudden noise thing that gets their attention. Ive known a few different Haflingers and they were all super. One of our lesson students has one now and it is the most willing cutest thing in the world. Edited by OpticalIllusion, Jun 5 2009, 12:10 PM.
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| Trialbyfire | Jun 5 2009, 02:25 PM Post #5 |
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You're BANNED!
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Oh, I was just kind of teasing. I don't really believe that all Haflingers are incorrigible. I do think they are big, and smart, so maybe more important to really start early on training proper ground manners. Sadly my boarder was orphaned as a baby and not really taken care of well, so he missed a lot and is still only 5. But he is the proverbial bull in a china shop. Like I said, I don't think he always knows how big he is and can leave a path of destruction in his wake if he has his mind set on something. So for him, keeping him physically and mentally busy is the key. He's way too smart to be idle! |
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| FlashGordon | Jun 5 2009, 07:51 PM Post #6 |
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You're BANNED!
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Haflingers can be great camp horses.... they are sturdy, they will go all day, they are cute like puppies, they can be fun and bouncy and great to bomb around on... They can also be escape artists, pushy bastards, way too food motivated, biters, kickers, runner-overs.... My favorite camp pony ever is a Haffie and while he SHOULD know his job by now, he is always pushing the limits! They really do seem to do best with consistent, fair, assertive handlers/riders. They learn real quick how to be naughty, especially when the kids let them get away with things..... Here is Blondie and I, we were doing some crazy Cowboys & Indians thing, hence why I was wearing a saddle pad LOL
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| Trialbyfire | Jun 6 2009, 05:38 AM Post #7 |
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You're BANNED!
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Waah! Can't see the picture!!
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| M. O'Connor | Jun 16 2009, 06:28 AM Post #8 |
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Well? Did she last the week? |
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