| That stubborn mule. Several years ago I bought a | | | | and hopefully a whole lot smellier than you are. |
| horse that had quite an attitude. I was extremely | | | | Nevertheless, If a horse raises to it's hind legs grab its |
| excited about finding a horse that I could train to | | | | reins and pull it down to earth again. After you have |
| become a joy to ride. So, I ended up training a | | | | controlled the horse, safely, cup your hand over the |
| stubborn horse. This horse had built up a reputation for | | | | top of its face and kindly talk it down. I realize talking to |
| placing people's backside in the dirt. | | | | animals can seem a little odd but we all do it. We talk |
| I arrived at the barn to see the horse for the first time | | | | to dogs like they are children, why not a horse. The |
| and while dealing with his attitude, saddled him up. This | | | | human voice is meant to be a soothing device. |
| particular horse was a stud with testosterone running | | | | The second aspect of training a stubborn horse is |
| through its veins. I jumped onto this horse standing 17 | | | | simple. You physically wear it out before you attempt |
| hands tall, he was nearly a giant. He bucked me all | | | | to ride it. I would suggest doing this while learning the |
| over the field and much to my surprise, I stayed on. I | | | | attitude of any new horse. When a horse is tired they |
| had pure determination running through my veins. I | | | | are calmer and have a much easier disposition to |
| finally got him calmed down enough to step back onto | | | | work with. I am not saying to abuse the horse in any |
| the ground. | | | | way and trust me, it will save you from wanting to |
| This was not the first time this horse tried to put me | | | | give it a whooping. Start out by simply taking a long |
| on my backside. He tried everything he could to deter | | | | lead rope and connecting it to its halter. Then, get the |
| me from having anything to do with him. He had no | | | | horse traveling in a circle around you. Keep it up until |
| problem with being a lone ranger. I finally smartened up. | | | | the horse starts to sweat. This is not only good for |
| I decided two things. The first is that he needed to | | | | training purposes but it also gives the horse much |
| trust me. The second is that if he did not have enough | | | | needed exercise. When humans exercise they |
| energy to throw me off his back he might not want to. | | | | produce certain chemicals which aid in a happy mood. |
| Think of a horse as a dog. There are many dogs such | | | | This is the same with horses. During the workout give |
| as German Shepards and Pit bulls that, if they wanted | | | | the horse moments of praise. Let it cool down and |
| to, could and have inflicted great harm to people. The | | | | give it hands on attention. You will slowly start to |
| reason for the majority of attacks, I believe, is a matter | | | | create a working relationship with the horse that will |
| of trust. The dog believes that the victim has ill | | | | turn into much more. Trust is a valuable thing. It is |
| intentions for them and therefor does something about | | | | valuable thing. It's not worth losing your horses trust |
| it. This is the same situation with a horse. If the horse | | | | because of inpatients. |
| does not trust you it will do something about it. The | | | | I slowly turned this horse into a fantastic animal. Finally, |
| amazing part is the way that nature is set up. After | | | | it ran to me instead of away from me. No one thought |
| you gain trust in a horse it will submit to your every | | | | that this horse would ever be ridable but trust changed |
| command. Even in the midst of training a stubborn | | | | everything. In the end the horse taught me more than I |
| horse you always have to know that you have | | | | ever could have taught it. |
| complete control. The horse is bigger, much stronger, | | | | |