Know any games to rehbilitate a horse from being starved and neglcted

Question

what games could I play with my 3 yr old arab to get him to trust me and for basic training since I helped rescue him from a home where he was starved and is very skinny and has no muscle. I got him 4 days ago and has been at our barn for almost a week and a half because my barn owner had gotten him from the "bad people" and then she gave him to me. so just very simple effective training games only, please. Thanks

Answer 1

I have had my Arab mare for 23 years when I got her she to was starved and really skinny. I didn't play game with her instead I gave her much needed love and food it took awhile she came around, She won many of ribbons in her life a couple of show saddles and the hearts of many. She is still going strong and we still love her to death I hope she will be around for my new grandson to ride in a couple of years,  

Answer 2

its not a game, but mine love to play with beach balls. they kinda play fetch

Answer 3

Go slow, feed good, and groom him a lot. I personally wouldn't start much work until he fills back out some. Watch him close and careful how/what you feed so he doesn't go nuts eating and colic on you. Touch him as much as you can. Rub him down, lots of brushing, find his tickle and itchy spots. Then, start your groundwork in the round pen. Slow is better. Get him to trust you and look forward to your time together.

Answer 4

just trot him from the ground, and be very nice

Answer 5

1st activity : place weaving poles, and trott threw them one way then opposite way .

2nd activity : trotting poles, place different groups of poles around the arena , and trott through them

3rd activity: have a big ball , first hold it and play with him and teach him that he is alowed to bit and through it . then through it across the arena and let him chase it .

4th activity: hide and seek ! place objects around the arena big enough for you to hide behind , then run away and hide behind one of them , and let him find you .

Answer 6

I have always found that horses that trust you are horses that I asked to do things they were not comfortable doing but when they did them with me they became more a partner and trusting companion. In his condition I wouldn't ride this horse, you could really mess up his back and joints since he doesn't have the musculature strength or structure to carry anyone right now. I like to walk horses over "scary" objects. Start with something very simple like a jump rail, move on to harder objects like multiple rails, bridges, a piece of plywood a tarp over the next year. Also teach your horse to drop his head and handle his head daily.  A horse that will let you do anything with their head trusts you. To teach him to drop his head put a halter on him. While pulling lightly on his lead rope straight down push lightly with your fingers at the poll. As soon as he gives downward even slightly remove the pressure as quick as you can and pet him softly telling him what a good boy he was. Repeat repeat repeat. Eventually over the next couple of weeks he will drop his head to the ground for you, then he trusts you. :~)

Answer 7

No games involved, just spend LOTS of time brushing him, make sure he has been brought up to eating normally SLOWLY.  Talk to him, take him for walks.  Give him LOTS of good scratchings with your fingers.  Some have "scratch spots" along the crest of their necks, some like it behind their ears, on their forehead, etc.

Answer 8

hmm.. well take things very slowly but just begin with hanging around his stall/pasture.  try grooming him very gentley (be esp. careful around feet and such if he's nervous) and petting him.  bring him treats, feed them you him, pet him and walk away.. do this a few times a day, and then begin to just coming and petting him so he associates it and you with a good feeling.

over time begin to run your hands gentley but firmly (so no tickling) down his legs, up his neck, on his face and on his neck/spine/withers as they are all "vunerable" areas and this will get him to trust you.

you could do a lot of lead/halter walking around for basic traning and to get him to trust you.  you could do the parelli games, or just make your own version of them... try getting him to walk over plastic, rub a plastic bag all over him, get him to "squeeze" in a tight area (like a trailer) stuff like that is good basic training to prevent him from spooking and will help him learn to trust you... just do them slowly at the pace in which you feel he can handle.  don't pressure him into anything.

GOOD LUCK it's really great that you adopted a neglected/starved horse!!! =D

Answer 9

It will take you a long time to bond with this arabian, just keep feeding him for every meal. Try to pet him in a gentle and careful way. Feed him lots of treats and try to do halter training to get him to be in more shape

Answer 10

You don't even have to play a game. Just spend at least an hour a day in the stall with him.  Then begin to take him out and hand walk him and give him treats as you go so he starts to trust you.  This could take a while and you are going to have to have a lot of patience. It is like a child who has been abused and needs to learn to trust again.

Remember, the main things is to constantly talk to him to reassure him and he will get to know your voice.  Carrots always seem to work well too lol

Answer 11

i wouldnt use the word game but just being around him and grooming him lots and the random occasional treat and hug is just fine that will create a bond hence the trust. if he is skinny get him to ideal weight before attempting to ride him so that is a perfect time to just groom and bond etc etc but buidling muscle starts on the lunge line and over time you can add  side reins with donuts and then after his back and kneck being to build muscle u can ride and start SLOWLY but good luck! big project ur taking on there