First Touch with an Unhandled horse - Part 1 of the halter training process

[@aswann2264]

I have done 4 unhandled horses now and in the beginning I use nothing when working with unhandled horses and ponies, no food, no halter .no rope only my body to signal pressure on and off, its interesting to watch how others do it. I find using food doesnt work long term, but each to their own. Great job, you are doing everything very well and are reading the horse well. The very first experience sets the mark for their entire human / horse interaction and is so very important to get it right at the very first moment- very impressive first interaction.

[@ilselangnar507]

THIS. I NEEDED this. I have an 11 year old pony who has been (mostly) unhandled but she’s not afraid of people. She just doesn’t listen or wants to be caught, but she’s also insanely smart and lives attention when it’s on her terms. I’m working with her right now because I realize as an adult, and not a clueless kid, that I can handle this now after a long time of studying. Thank you for this video.

[@lonestarwoman]

Thank you for your comment. The unstated ones are tough. Check out my halter training vids for more. kzbin.info/aero/PL1JF_PZLhWBglomPi6ClcGlqXNue41HP2

[@Kelly_Ben]

I can't imagine having a beautiful gem like that untouched and afraid of humans at 3! Great job making first steps with her.

[@Donna-vh5ym]

I love seeing green horses touched for the very first time. Great job.

[@sassysouthboutique8977]

Your video is amazing! I like that it’s real time and not speed up.

[@lacebreding1568]

What do you do if they try to bite you while your in the safe zone

[@lonestarwoman]

At this point they rarely will try to bite at you, if they do that means they're not ready for you to be in their space. That would be a responsive where you pushed the horse away from you until they started to show signs of submission such as looking and chewing. The rule is they have to move their feet, if their mouth moves in an aggressive way. That means ears back and actually trying to bite. Because just licking and chewing is actually a good sign.

[@jenniferrozell9074]

I'm working on first touch with a two yr old unhandled rescue filly who was starved, what is working for me and what I've read is you got get them to look at you to get their mind and to keep them from being in flight mode. I was able to get really close last night by taking steps while walking sideways to her with my arm out,she kept her eyes on me the whole time,I also didn't rush it and waited till she was relaxed before moving,if she started getting nervous I waited or stepped back a step,then proceeded again.. I ended the session and will work on it again the next day. I know you got get control of their feet but one part of your video I noticed was she was being cornered by both of y'all which is pressure on front and rear and can't get results that way.. don't be looking at her so much and take breaths in and out to help her relax.

[@krystaldaniels7940]

So with an unhandled weanling would you start working them like this? My dear mama brought home a 6mo old mule last weekend that has barely been touched. She had been driving by and feeding him and his mom for the past few weeks and did get him to let her rub him some. The owner sold the mare and agreed to trade my mom the goal for an old tractor we had...so he dropped this baby off with us last weekend! Poor guy is terrified and still crying out for his mama. We put him in the smaller pasture right behind our house with our goats and sheep for company because we didn't wanna just cut him loose with all of our horses on 5 acres right away. He arrives Saturday and wouldnt even eat until Monday. Now I've got him coming to the barn At feeding time, eating good (his grain and hay), and he will let me approach him but he scares away after sniffing my hand. I think my mom was a bit overconfident in my ability here...I've never even been around a foal! Lol, ive been doing lots of research but most of what I find is how big farms wean all their foals together...foals that have been handled since birth. Sorry for the book here!!

[@lonestarwoman]

Thanks for your question. Babies are a little different. It just takes time. Here's a playlist of training a colt to help. kzbin.info/aero/PL1JF_PZLhWBjpELAG0z00XbZdGX26wPh8

[@krystaldaniels7940]

@@lonestarwoman oh sweet, thank you!!!!

[@ilselangnar507]

@@krystaldaniels7940 you’re lucky you have a Colt, at least this way you’ll have a good animal that’s been worked with earlier on!

[@krystaldaniels7940]

@@ilselangnar507 i just read back through my comment and realized just how much he has improved over the last few months! He LOVES having inside of his long ears scratched and is no longer afraid of humans at all. I wouldnt say hes completely halter broke, but he stands to be haltered and i can lead him around the pasture farely well!! I havent worked with him as far as training goes too much yet because i figured id just let him be a baby for the most part until the weather cools off enough to have him gelded. (Our vet doesnt like doing it in the summer heat). Hes really come such a long wau though! 💕🐴💕

[@lorilazarus2581]

You really need a round pen out there.

[@lindakirkpatrick2800]

Where's part 2?

[@lonestarwoman]

Here's part 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWXCiXV-gahnqqc

[@dineshavavideo]

I love this video.. lovely horse

[@kimfroman2023]

You should do voiceover.