The BaitShop Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Head for the Hills! > Camping, Hiking and Backpacking
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Don’t put yer head over the horses
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

This site is completely supported by donations; there are no corporate sponsors. We would be honoured if you would consider a small donation, to be used exclusively for forum expenses.



Thank you, from the BaitShop Boyz!

Topic ClosedDon’t put yer head over the horses

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Spot shooter View Drop Down
Left BSB in Disgrace
Left BSB in Disgrace

Banned

Joined: 19 June 2003
Location: Bahrain
Status: Offline
Points: 0
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Don’t put yer head over the horses
    Posted: 30 June 2003 at 15:39

You guy's outta tell me stuff like this, still seein stars.

  Gonna start classes in the fall, been spendin sometime with a friends quarter horses.  Hey, ya know them things got real strong necks on 'em.

Spot

Back to Top
CB900F View Drop Down
Administrator
Administrator
Avatar
Honor, Integrity

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Eritrea
Status: Offline
Points: 8857
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 June 2003 at 15:43

Spot;

Just keep in mind that a good horse is about as smart as a dumb dog.  Learn to speak French.  Just keep saying Charcuterie.

900F

Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!
Back to Top
Muleskinner View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer

Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 5284
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 01:10
You got yer noggin' whacked by a hoss with his head down?  Smarts don't it?  Best remember how hard his head was.  Rule number 2 is: "don't ever punch a horse".  Yer fist will never be the same.  No matter how bad he acts, no matter how mad you are, do yerself a favor an' count to ten.  A busted hand ain't worth all the vengence you can muster, an' 'sides, he probly won't even feel yer punch.
Mule
Back to Top
SelwayPacker View Drop Down
.22 LongRifle
.22 LongRifle
Avatar

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 201
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 03:46

I figger, Spot, if you knowed all this computer stuff then you must have plenty of smarts...  so's I doubt you'll make the same mistake again.

A friend of mine back in high school got hisself two new bay quarter horses.  He wasn't experienced with horses, just a cowboy at heart.  He called me up and told me to come check out his new horses, so we went for a ride.  Not long after that, he was riding one of 'em and leaned forward for some reason... the horse throwed its head up and knocked him out cold.  Put him in the hospital for a few days.

This guy was the toughest guy around... ain't nobody would mess with him.  We'd get in fights with guys from other schools and he was all grins during the rumbles.  He enjoyed those kind of activities.  Wall now, after getting KO'ed by the horse, he sold 'em both and got the heck out of the hoss business.

Mule is right, hittin' a horse will hurt you a lot more than it'll hurt the horse.

Back to Top
saddlesore View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby


Joined: 16 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1345
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 04:59

Everyone can tell you what not to do, but you'll remember things longer if you experience them yourself. Plus it will give the rest of us more entertainment.

Saddlesore
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
Back to Top
SelwayPacker View Drop Down
.22 LongRifle
.22 LongRifle
Avatar

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 201
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 07:34

Alright, Spot, here's a lesson I larned back in 1833 I think it was... true story...

I was camped right in the middle of Blackfeet country when I was awoke by the sound of war cries.  Tommyhawks an' arrows was flyin' everwhars.  I figgered I better relocate myself 'fore I got to lookin' like a porcupine!  I made a run for it towards my faithful pony... it was dark but I saw him standin' there where I had him tied up.  At a full run I leaped up onto his back and then I realized my horse no longer had a head... the injuns had cut my horses head off!  Left nothin' but its mane!  He was still breathin' so I gave him a good kick and as he started going I heard air escaping from his windpipe... kind of like a series of explosions.  Worried that he'd lose all his oxygen, I took my arm and plugged up that windpipe.  I rode that headless horse for all he was worth.  We rode and we rode... with my arm plugged up its windpipe.  Somehow I escaped them injuns but we kept on riding, hell bent fer leather, 'til daylight.  As the sun started to light up the plains, I realized my horses head was behind me... it wasn't cut off after all... I'd hopped on backwards!  Wall now, I gently removed my arm from his... uhh... awww nevermind.

First thing a horseman needs to knowed, is which end of a horse is which.

Back to Top
waksupi View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
aka Keeper of the Old Traditions

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 2371
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 08:37

 -

Just wait til one turns around, gets a mouthful of you, and dangles ya. Hurts.

Back to Top
Spot shooter View Drop Down
Left BSB in Disgrace
Left BSB in Disgrace

Banned

Joined: 19 June 2003
Location: Bahrain
Status: Offline
Points: 0
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 11:26

All I was doin was rubbin mooch's forehead fer her, then raw hide came in and pushed her off.  Now usually he don't want nothin to do with me, but I guess he got jealous.  Anyhoo, after a bit  he started sniffin my knee, musta got somethin on it whilst I was crawlin round the barn gettin too and fro.

  Anyhow, I was rubbin behind he ear, seemed to like it.  So I squatted down  to sit on my heals and just about equal with where his head was (is).  Moved my had around to his forehead and started rubbin, he started pushin inta me a bit, so I started pushin back (appearently not enough).  I don't remember hearin anythin but Karen said it was the screen door slamming.  Didn't have time to blink, next thing I knew I was sittin on my but, holdin the side of my face. Lucky if was just a glancin blow, no blood or nothin just a numb feelin, kinda like what I expect it would feel like to ran into a tree!

Dang them things got a harder head then I do!

  On the serious side, I was wonderin if there's a was to scold a horse.  I ain't apt to hit a critter,  If you do make contact with an eye or ear they just get worse.  With a dog you can grab their lower jaw and hold it tight.  Dog won't move causes he's afeared you'll break it off.  It's a good way of scoldin them without hittin them.  Any such way of scoldin a horse?

Spot

Back to Top
waksupi View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
aka Keeper of the Old Traditions

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 2371
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 12:50

Not a good idea to squat down in front of a horse. Something can spook them (as you found out), or they may strike for some reason, one of the most dangerous thing a horse can do. I would never keep a striking horse around.

IF you need to correct a horse, you can stand at it's shoulder, and take a handful of skin about half way down the withers. Roll the skin in your fist. You can make a horse piss all over thierselves doing this. It helps if trying to load a skittish horse. There is a nerve there that is quite painful to them, so DO NOT do this unless you really need to. It doesn't work as well with a mare, as they will tend to get bull headed and fight you.

Sometimes a horse will try to pull away from you when you have hold of a lead. Don't try to hold them in place. They are a tad bit stronger than you. Let them go back, and follow along. You can guide them somewhat when they are going backwards. Don't let them get thier head turned around. Turn with thier head so they are always facing you. Direct them towards something they won't hurt thierselves on. A bale of hay works great. They will trip thierselves up. A couple times of this, and they will usually break the habit. They know something is going wrong, and assume it is something they are doing.

Another trick with a biting horse. Stand next to the horses head in easy reach. Take a horse shoe nail, and grip it so you have maybe a quarter inch of the point sticking out between your thumb and forefinger. When they turn to nip, give them a gently poke in the muzzle. A few times of this is usually enough to break them.

One more trick. If you have a horse that tends to pull back when tied, put a good halter and lead on them. Tie them short. Then take a soft lay rope, put a loop around thier barrel, and run the end of the rope back through the lower halter ring, and tie it to the same tree as the lead rope. You need to tie it shorter than the lead. When they pull back, the rope tightens around thier chest, causing discomfort. This usually breaks them in pretty short order.

  

Back to Top
Muleskinner View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer

Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 5284
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 13:22
All in all, best to make the horse WANT to go along with yer idears.  That failed, run 'em in a round pen til they see it  yer way, or tie 'em up an' lay 'im down.  That really gits their attention.  Ain't never accomplished much beatin' a horse, an' I admit, I've lost my temper plenty.  You also gotta know how to act 'round 'em or they can hurt you by accident.  Don't wear sandals around horses, don't blast fog horns around horses, don't practice castin' yer fly rod in the corral.  Common sense stuff like thet.
Mule
Back to Top
bcboy View Drop Down
.243 Winchester
.243 Winchester
Avatar

Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 169
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 14:21

 

 Spot!

 Another good rule around horses is do not use your mother's best pots to soak your hoss;s hooves in. I had an appy with dry hooves and my farrier said soak them in motor oil. Well the rest is history...not sure who was madder mom for her pots or dad for takin his oil...stayed away from mom longer thou.

 True as gospel punched a horse one day and my wrist was sore for a month...uncle said next time he tried bitein me bite him back...actually worked.

   for what it worth....  bcboy

Back to Top
Spot shooter View Drop Down
Left BSB in Disgrace
Left BSB in Disgrace

Banned

Joined: 19 June 2003
Location: Bahrain
Status: Offline
Points: 0
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 15:48

Guess they aren't the same thing as a big dog.  Better start thinkin of them different. 

And here's the rest of the story behind that: 

 The farm I lived on had been there since th early 1800's, and that they had a bind horse.  My Gramps use to work there as a hand, and stayed at the house often.  Anyhow, he told me one night he got back from town late, and decided to sleep in the barn instead of waking up anyone at the house.  Said he layed down in an empty stall, and woke with that blind horse right next too him, didn't step on him or even wake him up.  Guess I've always thought that they had to be smart because of that story.  Now I'm thinkin that Gramps was drunk or stupid, and was tellin a, not so good story. 

Most folks I've run across that have horses, or mules don't spend too much time with them.  I was figuirin that's why they act the way they do, guess I didn't want to beleive they were so dumb.  After watchin them a bit, and readin some of the posts I don't believe that anymore.  From what I've seen,  they are pretty stupid just as all of you have told me.   And for such a powerful critter they're pretty darn lazy too.  Even a dog's got sense enough not to bang into ya with his head.   Should be easier now thet I got them silly notions out of my head. 

  Just to let you know I'm not a complete dumb arse, the way I got rawhide to stop pushin Mooch(mare), and little one(welsch pony) off was to run them around the yard fer about 12 to 15 minutes.  Rawhides somewhere around 17 hands (hey what exactly is a hand in ft), and runs the show.  After running them around a bit I started walkin out in front of them, and they followed behind.  After that they're behavior changed, then it was scratchin time.  I like bein nice to critters stead of mean, an that ain't easy when there ornery or stupid.  Feel like a stupid greenhorn, and I'm having to swallow a bit of pride.  Use been thinkin more instead of thinkin some romantic bullsquat about horses.  Just couldn't get the idea out of my head that they'd connect to you just like a mut.  Think I got that idea knocked out of my head now.

You guy's can start makin side bets on what I'll do wrong next, I don't give up easy.  Startin to think learning to ride on rawhide might just be a mistake, he's offly cocky, and can be a bit stubborn.  Think he's a bit scared of me still, don't know if that will help or hurt.  After I learn the basics, I figure it'll be a good thing to keep gettin time in the saddle, especially on horses I don't know. 

Spot



Edited by Spot shooter
Back to Top
waksupi View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
aka Keeper of the Old Traditions

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 2371
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 July 2003 at 16:47

bcboy - I disagree with your farrier. Motor oil, being mineral based, will in fact draw moisture from the hoof after a couple days. A better mixture is bacon grease, and pine tar. Stick to mineral based oils for mechanical things, and natural bases for animals.

I was fortunate enough to work for eight years with the guy who wrote the California and Montana farrier guideline books, and set up the course of study for the universities in both states. I learned a bit from him over the years. He was a farrier for over fifty years, and forgot more than the rest of us will ever know. Until recently since he had knee surgury, he still got calls from all over the U.S., and got flown to deal with problem horses for outrageous amounts of money.

Interesting old guy. Still makes great knives, and Sharps rifles from scratch. Hell of a blacksmith. He was a stunt man in the old days of Hollywood, worked with Yakima Canutt, John Wayne, James Arness, Jock O'Mahoney, and alot of the other old timers.

 

Back to Top
Muleskinner View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby
Avatar
AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer

Joined: 13 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 5284
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 01:40

I was raised in KY, taught shoein' by the best farriers drawin' breath.  Ain't no motor oil gonna find its way onto my horse's feet

Horses can be smart, but differnt from other critters.  I used to put a tow chain across an opening in my back pasture fencing.  Didn't have a proper gate.  One day I saw my arab mare hittin' the tow chain with her snoot, makin' it swing.  All at onct she flipped the chain up in the air an' ran under it to git into the front pasture.  She cleared the chain afor it came down an' was loose in fresh, green grass.  Now lots of horses would never have figured that out, let alone have the gumption to try it.  Then, I've seed mules stop dead in their tracks when I started to lead them atwixt trees too narrow for their loads.  That's kinda smart too.  So you jus' gotta adjust yer guage about what's smart an' what's not so smart.  Once you git it calibrated for equines, you'll see they can be smart or dumb too.

Mule
Back to Top
saddlesore View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby


Joined: 16 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1345
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 02:41

The reason that runnin a horse around in around pen works is that in nature, when horses run wild, the mare will correct her young by running them out of the herd a ways, and keeping the young one out of the herd.  After the discipline, she lets it back in and acts as nothing has happened.  When you drive them in a round pen, you are driving them away from you same as the mare does. But you have to know how long to do it. You have to watch for them to start cocking an ear,and  maybe licking thier lips. At that point they are thinking about things and want to re-negotiate the contract as to who is boss. Too little and you just piss them off. Too much and you lose the connection.

Try this with mule and you can run then around a hundred times and they still think they can be boss. With mule you have to figure out ways so they think it was thier idea to do something. As they say, you tell a horse to do something, but you ask a mule.

Horses get along with differnt people differntly. There can always be a presonality clash, and it's best to just send the horse down the road if this is the case, as you will never solve the problem. If everything clicks, then they do bond to you like a dog. However with mules, it's worse. Some times it takes a year before a newly bought mature mule will decide it lives  at your place. Until they trust you, they will look out for themselves  first. But after they figure out you don't mean them no harm , you can just about ask them to do anything, and they will try.

You can ruin a good mule in one session by abusing them and they will never forget it.

Mules are a might smarter than  horses, that's why folks have harder time with them. Since Arab horses seem to run a little smarter, this makes for a bad combination in a mule. A little more hot blooded, and more smarts ends up getting you a mule that will blow up easier, and wants to do more thinking than it needs to.

If you always treat a horse as if it's three year old kid, you will be just about right.

BTW way, a hand is 4 inches, that's three per foot. , so horse 6 ft tall at the withers is 18 hands,  a mighty big horse

Saddlesore
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
Back to Top
bcboy View Drop Down
.243 Winchester
.243 Winchester
Avatar

Joined: 12 June 2003
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 169
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 03:15

 

  Hey I was only a sprout back then.....anyway whats the point of havin brains when ya got nothing upstairs.

   Cept gettin a beatin for the pots my pa did lecture me on the use of proper hoove care for my horses, sadly sumthing often neglected by most owners who just dont know .     bcboy.....always learnin

Back to Top
SelwayPacker View Drop Down
.22 LongRifle
.22 LongRifle
Avatar

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 201
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 05:58

Saddlesore,

Do you use spurs with your mules?  What I'm gettin' at is... since mules are so accurate with their feet, and since mules have such good memories, and since mules have such vindictive personalities... ain't it a bad idea to be pokin' them in the ribs all the time?

Back to Top
SelwayPacker View Drop Down
.22 LongRifle
.22 LongRifle
Avatar

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 201
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 06:24

Mule/Watsupi,

I looked at this two year-old colt a few months ago that was for sale but didn't like him 'cause he had too much t-bred in him for my liking.  He wasn't broke but was real gentle to be around.  Anyway, my neighbor down the road is breaking that colt to the saddle right now.  He had the shoer come by last week and I guess they had a heck of a time with that colt.  He was striking at them and they had to throw him down and tried hobbling him and I guess that horse kind of banged up his trailer and some pannels, not to mention hisownself.  The shoer took some hay twine and wrapped it around the gums above the front teeth and tied it behind the horse's head, I think.  Said there's some nerves above the teeth there that help to calm a horse.  My neighbor said it seemed to help.  Any of you ever heard of that one?

 



Edited by SelwayPacker
Back to Top
SelwayPacker View Drop Down
.22 LongRifle
.22 LongRifle
Avatar

Joined: 11 June 2003
Status: Offline
Points: 201
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 07:17

Mule,

You've got a pack trip planned for this weekend, don't you?  Is your horse still lame?

Back to Top
saddlesore View Drop Down
.416 Rigby
.416 Rigby


Joined: 16 June 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1345
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 07:21

SP. I have heard of using the nerve line, but have never done it. They claim it works better than a twitch.

Another thing that works is to put the side of your first finger down in the hollow above the eye and then  your thumb  up under the bridge of the eye socket and squeeze. Gives them a hell of a headache. Do both sides with both hands and you can really put he hurt on them. I had to do this once with a rental horse that wouldn't pack meat. I held him, the other guy put the elk quarters on and tied them down. After the first few crow hops he settled down and we didn't have nay more trouble with him.

Some of my mules, I use spurs and some I don't , just depends on the animal. I just don't gouge them in though. Although I did have one buck me off right quick with them. This mule wouldn't lope. So after two lapse aound the arena, I tickled him a litle bit. He bucked and twisted so quick, I was on the ground before I knew what happend.

Mules are honest creatures if you treat them right. They are fair about discilpine when they know they did something wrong, and don't hold it against you. But you have to apply that 3 second rule. If you don't correct them in the 3 seconds after they did something, they have no idea what they are being corrected for. Same as giving them praise

Saddlesore
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.10
Copyright ©2001-2017 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.125 seconds.