This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Another thing that Fjords do which > >is 'mule-like' is LEAN on you/try to push you > around > >with their shoulder. If you use commonly accepted > >'mule methods' to conteract this, it works like a > >charm. I know, I've tried it. > > And what would this method be? :) Well, let's see....it sounds a little complicated until you get the 'hang' of it, but it basically involves a little 'halter driving'. Driving the horse or mule forward in a circle while on a halter, and using 'pressure' from the end of the halter rope to teach him than he is to move away from you and not come over towards you and either step on you or bump you with his body. Kind of a 'my space, your space' type of thing. I've had a couple of Fjords that would bump into you/step on you 'accidentally' - "gee I didn't know you were there". What they are actually doing is pushing you around. A person doesn't weight enough to get anywhere by phsically pushing back, so you have to 'mentally' push them back. Brad Cameron, from Montana, gives clinics on mulemanship. I believe he also has tapes available to those interested. His website is: www.muletrainer.com Not all Fjords are this pushy, but some are, unfortunately. Using mule methods allows the Fjord time to "think" about what you're asking instead of just being expected to 'react' - which is what many modern horse training methods are based on. Hope this helps. Mary ===== Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos -- now, 100 FREE prints! http://photos.yahoo.com
