This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Okay Mary Ellen, here is a story. You say listen to your horse and I surely do agree. In this case there was such an odd reaction I wonder what was going on. My large Holsteiner, I helped birth her and she is now 9, was waiting in her stall for her food. when I come out the hay door everyone knows they go to their respective stall. As I stepped into the stall with an armload of hay I tripped and fell, rolling as I do to prevent serious injury. The mare was absolutely panicked and pressed against the wall with eyes rolling and there were loud snorts. I was afraid she would forge over the top of me in her panic as I was right in the doorway. I had difficulty getting to my feet and she continued this hysterical manner until I finally got a leverage up and then she went to her hay as if nothing had happened.
What kind of horse psychology is that? It was a first for her but she is an alpha mare and rarely panics????????? Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" ] http://www.techline.com/~jgayle -----Original Message----- From: Mary Ellen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: fjord horse digest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Saturday, May 29, 1999 10:51 AM Subject: dominant mares & bears >This message is from: "Mary Ellen Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >This is from Mel Thomas > >Due to some switching around, skinny (more slender) mare & chubbier >gelding, we have switched pastures around. >Our dominant mare is by herself, with our gelding & little appy mare in >another pasture, withinin sight & sound. The alpha mare couldn't care >less, the other two are devistated. They cannot settle down, call at all >hours of day & night, and run the common fence line. (This is the 4th day) >I've heard the alpha mare call once or twice, (probably saying "GET A >GRIP"), but she's not even remotely concerned. Actually, I detect a smirk >when the others call for her. She's eating, but her eyes squint like she's >laughing at them. > >We will be separating them for at least two months, so hopefully, the 'two >horse herd' can gain some confidence & learn to live without her. > >Interestingly, when we ride the horses together, there is no dominant >horse. Each one will lead, follow, or get out of the way, depending on >what the rider wants, We have always ridden them away from each other, as >well, to encourage 'riding confidence'. They're young yet, 4 & 5, but it >does seem to make a difference. > >BTW, we do have some little brown bears (or maybe their black, but they're >small) here on the west side of the Cascade mtns. In Washington. I have >run into them while riding other breeds. An old appy & QH mare looked & >waited for me to decide what to do. A very experienced QH gelding looked >the situation over & said "let's get out of here." Both times I trusted >the horse's instinct. If you listen to your horse, they'll normally let >you know what response should be taken. > >If we were trail riding with one of my fjords (even though they are young) >& they told me they were uncomfortable doing something, Believe me, I'd >take a second look, too. They are so honest, & willing, that if they said >something wasn't right, I'd take a closer look. They have taken my husband >(a novice), & I (experienced rider but novice mountain rider) on some >trails I didn't trust, but they did. And they told us not to cross a >narrow bridge with out looking, and we found a very, very slick dangerous >footing. >Instill trust, learn to trust, & listen to your horse. (& keep a cow bell >handy) > >from Mel Thomas >Snohomish, WA - (A Little Way North & East of Seattle) where the sun is >shining, its glorious weather, & I had to have a little surgery & can't >ride or drive, or even work my horses for another month. I'm going stir >crazy not having my fjord fix daily. (Though I can see them outside the >house. But my husband - rightly so - has forbidden any hand contact!!) >Keep those stories coming. I can at least live vicarously through the rest >of you!! >
