Getting to know my new horse?

Question

Hi

Im getting a 10 year old 15.3hh gelding on saturday

and i just want to know if there is any games or anything that we could do just to get to know each other more

im going to be doing alot of trail riding on him out on the roads ect.

Anyway that i can get to know him better?

p.s we have to keep him on somebody else property as we don't own land so i can't go up there all the time only once or twice a day.

Answer 1

Before riding him get him settled in, allow him to rest up for 2 days or so. Then do lots of ground work with him. You will bond with each other and create a better understanding while under saddle. Do lots of lunging with him working him through the gaits and such. Make sure he listens to your commands and if he does a great job of it maybe after a week you could start riding him. Set up a ground pole and make him do all three gaits over it. Spend grooming sessions with him because then you will bond with him because he will know you are his caretaker. Also you could groom him, tack him up, lunge him, untack him and then work with in hand stuff such as practicing showmanship, or halter. After creating a bond just ride him and you will learn most everything about him. Good luck!

Edit: (Regarding the Whip) The first time you lunge him show him the whip, let him sniff it, etc. Then start to de-sensitize him of the whip by rubbing it between his feet,rubbing it on his back, and between his ears. If he is afraid of the whip have someone hold him on the lunge line and be prepared for him to do something. Do these actions very slowly and then praise him with a treat if he allows it to be touched all over him. He will learn that the whip is his friend not his enemy and that it won't hurt him.

Answer 2

optamist, your name doesn't fit you...anyway just give him treats and love him,my horse was too young to ride when I got him and we have a better bond because we got to know each other, I didn't just jump on his back,and scratch on his shoulders they like that :) good luck and have fun!!!!

Answer 3

Get to know him and him you....Find his best spots for scratching. Talk softly to him and make sure you don't spoil him.

Horses need a strong leader to be happy (especially geldings) So set your intention before you get him and follow through with your ideas

Things to remember

Never loose your temper with him. It is far better to walk away than to get angry with him. Think about how you asked him to do something. If he doesn't do it it is probably because he doesn't understand what you asking him, not because he doesn't want to.

You will be teaching him all the time, weather you mean to or not.

you have all the time in the world.

Enjoy.

Answer 4

Hi, congrats on your new horse! He sounds lovely. All I will say about getting to know him better, is spend the time you can with him. You do not necessarily have to ride him everyday, just sit with him in the paddock. He will soon let you know what his personality is like so the games you play will be fun for you both. When I first got my horse Squidge, no one could tell me what he was like as he had been abondoned for 4yrs, so I had to learn. Everyday when I took his haynet in , he would throw me off balance trying to get the hay out before I put it up for him. It ended as a game, as I tried to block him and this grey nose would appear wherever it could! It was our daily routine which helped him to know me too. Our relationship was so finely tuned after 6months it was staggering! I enjoyed myself so much spending time with him, and like you, could only go and see him twice a day, as I was liverying him at my friends place. Don't force it, just enjoy him.

Answer 5

Sit on a chair with him in his stall/pasture.  Don't be grooming him or giving him treats, or talking on your cell phone, just sit there - maybe bring a book and just hang out with him for 30 mins.  Do this 3 or more times a week if possible.  It'll really help you bond with him just to be there doing nothing.  It'll help his confidence with you, being able to come up to you, or stand away if he's scared.  Only touch him if he touches you first.  Don't reach out to pet him, and stay on your chair.  If he's kinda wild and running around a lot, you can sit just outside the paddock.  

Take a tree branch, plastic bag, anything - and rub him all over with it.  This will really build his confidence, knowing you're not going to kill him with these things.  Grooming is a good addition to this.

Please, if you're interested in more things to do with him, just e-mail me.  I have a bunch of games to play to have with him - too long to write here.  Or if you have any questions on getting him more confident for the trails.  Good luck!!!

Answer 6

wow.

firstly lucky getting a horse and lucky u can go up there twice a day.,

i can only go up to my agistment property 3-4 times a week and thats once every time.

Just pat him, groom and and give him treats,

u could play featch or hide and seek

gd luck

EDIT:

she might not be spoilt. just lucky.,

some kids get horses at 4 years of age not knowing how to ride

U dont knoiw how long she has waited.

dont judge people so quickly.

Answer 7

This sounds realy nice, you are so lucky.

To get confidence, in one another, there are lots of games you can play. Get a barrel and place a cup on top, practice riding up to this and collecting your cup/jacket/bucket etc then you could place them down again. (this is good to teach a horse to listen to your leg - helpful if you are out trail riding and he doesn't want to go past something)

Mounting and dismounting off a bail of hay. (this teaches him to stand still in one spot, and you may like to use a rock etc when out on the track to mount.

Stepping over poles, water races different surfaces to prepare you both for trail riding.

Getting good at going from speed to stop, handy if he gets a fright at something.

Setting up a course with cones etc where you have to practise turning tightly.

Using sticks to hit a ball, carry flags, etc

At our pony club we are always doing games, and I encourage our children as games lead the way to having good control of your horse.

Have you thought of joining a pony club, its lots of good fun and you don't have to be super competitive to enjoy it.

Best of luck with your new horse, have fun.