This message is from: "Douglas Knutsen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi Oona,
It would be a shame to cut his forelock. I'm not sure whether it contributes
to his spookiness, as many horses, including my stallion Erlend, have long,
full, forelocks that don't seem to bother them. In driving harness with
blinkers we pull his forelock aside or braid it. Riding or draft, he wears
it natural and shakes his head it he wants to see better. If he senses a
nubile lady horse nearby, for example. Braiding does seem a sensible
solution for desensitizing him.
Good luck,
Peg Knutsen
www.fairpoint.net/~kffjord
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 4:50 PM
Subject: heavy Fjord forelock
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hi,
I have a Fjord with a long heavy forelock. He is a wonderful horse,
except
if he becomes frightened, his reaction is to take off at a dead run and
he is
very quick. Out of 200 hours riding, I would guess 180 are in the arena,
little exposure to trails. I would like to take him on trails rides, but
afraid
with how spooky he can be of the unexpected. I took him to a Parelli
desensitizing clinic last Saturday with great success and then Tuesday
took him to a
trainer that has been using Parelli techniques for 10 years and he has an
excellent reputation. He feels the spooky is something that can be fixed.
Since
he has had him, he told me that he does much better if his forelock is
braided, that he feels it interferes with his vision. What do those of
you feel
that have Fjords with a heavy forelock. Do you think it interferes with
vision
and as a result they become frightened of the unexpected, more so that a
Fjord without the long heavy forelock. If you agree, is there any other
ways of
handling this without braids, and I really don't want to cut that
beautiful
forelock. Thanks, Onna
