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Hi, I have recently read an article about horses respecting their owner/riders and I think that the issue of biting stems from the fact that the horse maybe doesn’t respect you? Have you done any groundwork with him? If so how has he acted when you worked him on the ground? There is a great website I have found and you can submit questions to the experts there and get a response quite quickly. The name of the site is "queryhorse"
You will find all sorts of things there that I hope will help you.I just want to add my opinion here….I currently own both a quarterhorse (gelding) and an arabian (mare) and though I thoroughly enjoy them both for their very unique personalities there are some things that I would not think of doing with my spirited little arabian mare. She is the one to pull out when I want to kick things into a high gear trail ride. She is an excellent trail horse and is also so very, very smart and learns so fast! At the same time, I wouldn’t think of putting an inexperienced friend or my grandchildren on her. She is too quick and too spirited for them. She is not mean, just way too quick. My QH gelding is half her age but he is quiet and sweet and in some ways a puppy dog. Though he gets the job done when I ask him to do things he would really rather jog quietly along or walk and enjoy the scenery. Some would say it is a mare versus gelding sort of thing but I know it is the arabian versus quarterhorse thing. As much as I love my little arab I would have to chose my QH if I could only have one horse. Glad I don’t have to chose though.
I got my first horse when I was 40 though I wanted one ALL OF MY LIFE! Her name was Maggie and she was a Rocky Mountain gaited horse, all black and so very beautiful. The problem was that though I was told she was a "great beginner’s horse" I did not have the background or knowledge in horses to know that she was definitely not a "beginner’s horse" so eventually I had to find a nice home for her and get another more stable horse for myself. Her name was Shiloh and she was my babysitter. She was a sweet flea-bitten Arabian/quarterhorse cross and she helped me to fall in love with riding and gave me the best of riding times. She was in her 30’s when I laid her to rest. I’ve had horses for 15 years now and I now have Ransom "Hansome Ransom" a quarterhorse and Rose or "Miss Rosie Toes" my little Arabian sweetheart.
I am so sorry for your loss! Having lost a very dear and beloved best friend myself, I understand what you are feeling. The feeling of emptiness is everywhere you turn and the sadness is so deep, especially when it happens so tragically and at such a young age. Eventually though you will be able to look back and the funny and happy memories you have of your dear Sophie will no longer be a source of pain but will bring a smile. Healing will come.
Yes, thanks for the input! My horses are not underweight, actually a little on the "rounded" side which is the way I like to bring them into winter. We have been having some pretty cold weather here so I don’t want them to go for long periods without food and when I am working at home I will go out and feed them twice to three or four times a day so that they clean up what they have but then I give them more so they have a bit to munch on pretty much all day. I decided not to apply any molasses or apple juice to their feed once I realized that they would eat things up if I just didn’t give them so much that they didn’t have time to eat it all before I gave them more. That was my fault. Thanks for suggestions and the website.
Hi
I don’t have cable or dish so I can’t get horse programs but if you are looking for some good horse programing I have viewed various videos of horse clinicians and my absolute all time favorite is Clinton Anderson. He is absolutely so right on when it comes to training and clearing up trouble areas in a horse’s attitude. He is very clear with his teaching and he is so straightforward in his approach. His techniques really work and he is just awesome! I was able to catch one of his clinics when he was in in Detroit this past summer and it was certainly a learning experience. I would highly suggest getting some of his videos or watching his program on RFD TV. I would certainly watch it if I could get it! John Lyons is good too. Parelli is just kind of a sensationalist and I don’t care for his show-off approach.
You can go to youtube and catch some good videos too and maybe see what videos you would like to purchase! I’ve attached a video of Clinton Anderson and Mindy his gorgeous mare for you to see.
Enjoy!Just wanted to update: I did apply some water and apple juice mix in a mister to the grass hay and it did help somewhat I think. I also have been encouraged to show some "tough love" and make them "clean their plates" before I give them more! I have applied that and they really will eat it all up! Horses it would seem are much like our children. They will eat candy or their favorite foods all day long and won’t touch the more boring good-for-them foods unless they see that is all they will get!
I should have known!Thanks for your suggestion. I really hadn’t thought of apple juice but that is a good idea.
I will try it and let you know how it goes :-))Yes, I would definitely have the farrier look at it the next time he (she) is out. They should be able to give you insight! She is certainly a beautiful mare!
There are so many great horses with so much heart but my favorite breeds are Quarters and Arabs and the mix of the two, the Quarab! The Arabs are so bouncy and full of life and ready to go! and the calm and quiet (though not always) Quarter horses are just easy going and calm and you can take your time and lazy along with them. I guess it just depends on what mood your in as to which you want to pull out and ride!
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