Homesick?

Question
Hi,

I chose you because of your name and that you have experience with bay horses and re-training.  My last name is Chappel, which is similar to yours.

We were given a 15 yr old Bay gelded male.  He was 4-H trained years back, and has spent the last 8 yrs with a female paint whom he has truly dominated.  The pasture was 3 acres, and now he is on a little over half acre at our house.  He is our first horse, and he is well behaved for the most part.  He does play games by running across the pasture when we want to put his head gear on to lunge him or just walk him, but eventually he comes to us.

We have plans to take him trail riding and I am concerned about submission and losing him if he behaves in this way out of the fence.  Should we discipline him for this or just reward the good behavior with a treat or what?

He has not been riden for over two years as well and is not really excited about being saddled up.  He has been riden about 5 times by an experienced friend of my daughter's.  She passes on meaningful advice with her brief visits.

Sometimes Maverick paces and looks bored.  My greatest concern is that he may be homesick with all that pacing; and when he runs from us when we try to put his headgear on, he runs right to the gate entrance to the pasture where he came to live with us just 3 months ago, like he either wants to go home, or be taken out of the pasture.  Hard to say.  Can you help? Thanks.  janie@usfamily.net


Answer
Hi Jane!

Horses are very smart and have a wonderful long term memory.  Your guy needs something meaningful in his life to help him transition to his new home and owners.  I'm sure is his a little bored and a bit insecure.  Horses are herd animals.  They need a herd and a leader they can trust and believe in.  That means YOU!  You are his herd now.  

I can see some bumps in the road ahead for you unless you get some real help.  If this horse has not been ridden with quality in two years, I'm thinking he needs a good restart by a quality horseman.  This way you can access his real skills and not have anyone hurt in the process. I want you and your daughter to be safe and enjoy this horse!  As first time horse owners, there is so much to learn.  What area of the country are you in?  I'd like to find a good lesson program for you and your daughter with someone of quality.  There are so many "horse trainers" out there that are just awful and will get you into real trouble.  

Yours is a story I hear way too many times.  First time horse owners with a "trained" horse getting bucked off or run away with because every one, horses and humans are lacking the education that will keep them safe.  Yikes! I don't want this to be your story!

By starting at the beginning with this horse you, your daughter and Maverick will all learn with quality, together.  I want you to rent or purchase the "Groundwork" DVD by Buck Brannaman.  His link in on my website.  Also, look at the DVD's by Ray Hunt.  These are the things you will need to be doing with your horse for him to be a dependable mount that can care for your daughter.  Your instincts are right on the money Janie, when you feel the concern about taking Maverick out on a trail ride.  You have no way to support or communicate with him if things go wrong.  Saddling could be a huge issue.  So, lets begin at the beginning for all of you.

Watch the DVD's.  Look at the clinic schedules for Buck Brannaman and Ray Hunt.  Ricky's clinic schedule should be finished soon.  These wonderful horsemen travel the country for people just like you!  Take advantage of the quality and talent.  When you have watched the DVD's I'll be able to get you started on some things that will really help.  You just need a better base of information to work from.  Please look through some of my past posts on colt starting as well.  I know I'm giving you a lot of home work, but I don't want to miss anything and I want this to really be a wonderful experience for all of you.  Lets talk again.  If you let me know what area of the country you are in, I'll try and find someone close to you to help you.  You can send me a confidential e-mail from my website with that information.  

So, homework, homework, homework!  Lets do this right!

Smiles, Denise