Re-Establishing the Bond

 Shorty is a pretty easy-going horse and not much ruffles him. When I go to the paddock to get him before a ride, he usually stands there, sometimes lowers his head so I can slip the halter over his head and walks alongside me to where I tie him up to saddle him up and go for a ride.

Over the past month, I've ridden him 2 or 3 times a week and it's been great! Last week, I rode him on Tuesday and Wednesday and then on Thursday, I went out to try a new pair of boots on him. I went to get him while the hoof trimmer and Lynne worked with the other horses and Shorty did not come easily. With Sue and Lynne calling out tips, it took about 5-10 minutes and we covered a lot of ground before I finally had him and brought him over to try the boots on.

Their advice:

• When he runs off and then stops to eat, keep him moving otherwise he is being rewarded for running away.
• Come from in front, not from behind.
• Stand still when he is looking at you.
• When he has had enough of moving, he will give in.

Sure enough, that's what happened. I gave him a handful of chaff since he doesn't like treats such as carrots, apples, bread, specially made horse treats... Often I just pick fresh grass not far from where he is grazing and he is happy. Both Lynne and Sue did not think I should have rewarded him once I caught him.

Later after Sue had gone, we saw a botfly (ugly, annoying flies that horses hate) bothering a couple of the horses, including Shorty. I got out the insect repellent rug (mesh) and Lynne and I went to his paddock. Again, Shorty did not come easily and we both took different angles until finally Shorty stood still and I put his mesh covering on.

The next morning, it was time for another ride so we went to get the horses and Shorty moved away from me. When he eventually let me put his halter on, he came and stood patiently while I brushed him, then put the saddle and bridle/bit on. We had a good ride as mentioned in the post about his boots but afterwards I wondered how I was going to re-establish the bond I had with him. I did not want him to run away when I entered his paddock and did not want him to be aloof from me.

Over the weekend I read up on some horse-bonding and connecting type activities. I looked at strategies trainers use to get their horse to do what they want and how to 'lead' a horse. There was nothing new but I formulated a plan and went out to see Shorty this afternoon.

At first when I entered the paddock he was in, he trotted away from me and I kept calling him and walking towards him. After some time, he upped the ante and moved off into the other paddock where the other horses were standing under a shady tree. He went to join them and I went over there and called him out. They all moved aside to let him pass and out he trotted/cantered back to the other paddock, circling and moving away and I employed the tactic of keeping him moving. Finally, he stood still and with my hand outstretched, I spoke gently to him and he waited for me and let me put the halter on him while he took the chaff.

I stood and patted his neck and side while talking to him. He walked with me to where I tied him up and I brushed him and combed out his mane and tail. I then kept talking to him, rubbing his neck and his chest but his favourite spot is between his ears. He stood so still, his bottom lip trembling. Lynne came out and we sat and chatted while Shorty stood there. Every now and again I would stand up and rub his neck and between his ears.

After a bit, it was time to take him back to his paddock and Lynne suggested I get some hay for him. She offered to hold the lead rope while I went into the shed but even though she held the rope, Shorty followed me. I took the rope from her and went to the shed to get him a mouthful of hay. When he finished his mouthful, he trotted happily away to join the others. A bit later on I thought I'd go and see him again and he stood there and waited. I gave him a pat and he grazed happily alongside me.

I really enjoyed re-establishing the bond with Shorty. It was worth the time it took.

There's also a lesson in that for our relationships with each other. Sometimes we are focused on the doing and the working, getting through the week etc. It's important to take the time to just be and enjoy each other's company.

Best friends again!