Holding Hands

My fabulous AQHA gelding, Maverick, recently reminded me that horses, like humans, all have unique traits and needs. I was also reminded that making assumptions can lead to unintended outcomes.

I wanted him to have access to all of the 140 acres we have available upon which he can exercise himself and get some pasture feeding at the same time. We can’t allow him to overeat pasture, even in the winter as he tends to develop laminitis, so while many of them have already been out there for several weeks, I had not put Maverick out there yet.

We play at liberty a great deal, so I thought he would easily follow me the half mile down to the acreage to see that the gate to the big pasture is now open. He was a bit hesitant, but not exceedingly, so I coaxed him to follow me. When we got about halfway, he saw something that concerned him, and he turned around and ran back to the pens near our house and arenas.

I didn’t worry about this, but I did chastise myself that I hadn’t reasonably accounted for Maverick’s personality as a vigilant, reserved horse when I decided to lead him at liberty. Vigilant, reserved horses tend to be less confident in themselves and their environment than other horses, and Maverick is no exception. He often looks to me and the physical connection between us to know that he can feel safe. Riding him provides that kind of physical contact. So does a halter and lead rope.

So, I walked back to the pen area, asked Maverick to join me again, and placed a halter on him with a lead rope attached. Rope in hand, I led him back down the road to the pasture, and he was completely relaxed this time, head low as we walked side by side. I stopped a couple of times to check in with him and praise him for relaxing.

As we approached the gate area, he saw the other horses already in the big pasture, his ears pricking forward with anticipation. I walked him through the gate to where the pasture started and allowed him to start eating the frozen, frost-covered grass. With a flick of his lips, he knocked the frost off of the grass, then chewed it with gusto. He blew out, indicating that he was completely relaxed. I removed the halter, stayed with him for a few minutes, and then walked back up to the pens. He has remained calm since, joining the herd going back and forth for water and pasture.

I will take him on and off the pasture grass so he doesn’t get too much, and if he needs me to lead him again, I will use a halter each time.

We all need handholding sometimes, and our horses are no exception.

For more information about the amazing horses that have been and are being bred on the HAAP farm, go to www.arabpinto.com

If you have questions for me about any of my posts, please feel free to contact me at isabellefarmer@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/arabpintos