This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In a message dated 12/15/03 10:36:17 AM Pacific Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< every once in a
while "will go for grass" and for that reason needed
to be led with a stud chain. She hated having
anything in her mouth which meant worming her required
trickery. And when it was time to *back* the horse
into her tie-down area she was quite resistant and
took a good deal of persistance on the part of her
owner and my husband. Is this typical Fjord behavior? >>
No, this is typical HORSE / PONY behavior of any equine who has been
allowed by their owners to behave in pushy, spoiled ways without correction or
reward.
This type of behavior is EASY to fix, and I wouldnt let it stop me from
considering buying her. The most important thing is : what do you plan on
doing with your horse ? Riding ? Then, how did she ride ? Have the owners
ride
her, than maybe a friend or trainer, who can give you a ( paid ? ) second
opinion. Then, if you still think shes suitable.....YOU RIDE HER. Are you
interested in driving her ? Same thing. Have them drive her. Trainer......then
you.
Dont let the " well.....the old owners said they drove her " or " she came with
this ( rotted ) harness....)
Behavior that would make me pause in buying would be, BITING,( people )
KICKING, STRIKING, or a history of many owners with vague problems over years.
I had 2 mares come to our ranch this year, that both had horrible ground
manners. Both turned away or headed for the back of their stalls when
approached. Both would ram their way through gates, one even knocking me flat
on the
ground when I took her out of the round pen after turnout time. ( That only
happend once <G> ) Both had nasty food issues / manners and would grab flakes
of
hay out of your hands, or be overly agressive, again towards people. ( Ears
pinned, shaking their heads in impatience or roughing up pasture mates with
excessive force while I was in range. )
Both mares have made a complete turnaround. Both approach for attention
with soft eyes, and are eager to be the next in line for attention. Both come
up when called and drop heads into halters. Both know better than to stand
their ground or act naughty when Im feeding, and will back away with one word,
or a pointed finger, and WAIT till I throw feed before grabbing. I still have
to remind to keep ME the alpha mare in the herd, but Im comfortable walking out
to a pasture feeder with 5-6 big bad mares milling around the hay
cart.....they all KNOW better than to include me in their pecking order. I took
the older
mare out of turnout today, and she stands quietly with a loose lead, in front
of the gate ( very sad eyes though <g> ) till I tell her to walk through. The
younger one needed reminder this week not to swing her big head towards me in
impatience, but its been awhile since I got knocked about or ( heaven forbid
) stepped on with any of the 19 here. I cut no slack with the stallions, in
fact, expect more and train daily for manners in-hand or stalls, with them. I
have to cover mares when Jeff is working in CA. and must have them listening to
me 100 % of the time.
Sorry for being so long again. I just love teaching ground manners
and would not let a few pushy issues stop me from getting a good horse, IF
she met your other wish list. A vet check with x-rays of legs and feet would be
a MUST.
If I can give you ideas in specific areas, let me know. You
might want to take a second look at this mare.
Lisa Pedersen *
cold, Cedar City, UTAH
