Mckenna Merrill

Posted

17 Aug 17:46

Catching a horse who hasn’t been handled, I have a new gelding who has been sitting for 2 years without being touched. He was only caught to get his feet done but he really is stressed about being caught. Any ideas? I tried sitting with him, he will come and sniff me, take treats out of my hand but then runs away if I try to touch him, or getting the halter around him. Once you catch him he is SO sweet. Just the initial human interaction is lacking. Any advice??

2

Posted

21 Mar 18:24

Just bragging. I’ve posted about my 5 year old orphan foaled mare who I bottle fed and who was acting violent and just had a lot of feelings. Today be conquered the arena in the open space. Our goal was to just walk around, do some halts then we could be done. She was excellent! No drama. The last few months she’s able to really learn to rely on me for support when she’s frustrated. She is regulating her emotions better and just plain has a better attitude about working. She’s still sassy, and has her days but she’s been completely willing. She is also coming back to me, when she’s upset. Which before we’d blow up, and about fall on the floor. So the program is working, extra slow for her but she’s trying on her time! Thanks Richard!

Also anyone have any tips to standing tied on our own? We no longer paw, but we dance around and scream because we’re alone. She gets herself all worked up. Hobbles, chains, feed, standing all day, nothing seems to make her chill. Let me know!

4

Posted

04 Feb 16:31

So I sent my 4 year old mare to a colt starter and she was just not the right fit for the program. She became violent and out of control. I started watching your videos since I had given hope. After some medication and starting from scratch with your videos I’m happy to say my little mare is making much progress. I sat on her bareback today, and we worked on just walking, halting and some trotting, and if she got quick I was able to turn her into a circle without any dramatics or arguments from her. She has become much more willing with your method and the hormone therapy. She seems to respond so much better and actually look for me when she gets nervous or flustered. We are still working on the commandments but happy to say we are on #5 and for the last few weeks we’ve kept all 4 feet on the ground at all times! Hopefully we can get to the next commandment soon!

Really appreciate the videos, the advice and the inspiration!

6