Introductions

Rocky

I bought Rocky as an "around 3yo". He has no papers so it's an estimate. He's around 16 or 17 according to the vet now so that's about right. He still had some baby teeth (yeah horses have baby teeth too) and when they are around 5 they are considered to have a "full mouth" of permanent teeth. I won't go into details because it can get complicated (age by teeth) and my eyes glaze over when I think about it. There's a lot written about it out there.

Whoever "started' him (taught him to accept tack and being handled) and "backed" (taught him to accept a rider) him for the first time did a pretty good job. No permanent trauma or issues other than being a bit "girthy" (objecting when the girth in tightened) and not standing for the farrier, when I got him. Since I am of the school of girth tightening in increments, he soon learned that I wouldn't pull it up and knee him in the belly as you see people do (It makes them exhale, yeah, right-wrong!). I buckle, usually stretch a foreleg up to slide any pinched skin out from under, and bridle. We walk to the mounting block and I tighten the rest of the way. I always use a mounting block unless I fall off or otherwise have to get off on the trail, then I find a ditch to put him in or a hill to stand on. Using the mounting block is, 1) easier for me and 2)less strain on his back and the saddle. I learned too that my left stirrup leather doesn't stretch as much either. I'm at the age where my mounting block is a step ladder.LOL

His objection to the girth used to be acted on by swinging around to try and bite. He would do this whenever you did anything he didn't think you should. Easy fix was holding my elbow up when he would swing around. He would hit his cheek on my elbow and scare himself. Only took a couple of times. Horses learn best the lessons they teach themselves. Young horses tend to be mouthy and can be nippy. You've got to nip it in the bud (no pun intended). Don't slap 'em on the nose. Use your elbow and a loud, scary "NO" or "Auh Auh Auh"! Or, if they are a confirmed biter, put a stud chain over the nose and add a jerk with the "NO". If your horse is this bad get an experienced person to show you how. As far as standing for the farrier, I simply put him in front of a hay bag the first few times since he's pretty much food motivated. Problem solved. I do his feet myself now (topic for another post).

He's a Tenn Walking Horse/Thoroughbred cross. Lovely, thick, long, flaxen, mane and tail that hits the ground. 

Rocky at four

He is basically pretty lazy but kind. Not a mean gene in his whole being. Learns quickly and loves to go exploring in the woods. Arena work, not so much. I had visions of a dressage horse but his gaits are so wonky (he has a bit of a four-beat canter and will even do a single-foot type running walk) and pure gaits are important in dressage. He can perform many nice movements but was never competitive quality. No worries. I'm not into showing. I can take him anywhere and do anything with him. 

He's also my hothouse flower. Got the TWH skin things gene and the TB lousy feet. He should probably live in Nebraska or somewhere but we live in the rain forest of North Florida. Rubs and scratches himself all summer long with bug allergies. I have tried everything from diet changes, medication, home made concoctions to medicated powder. Even thought about acupuncture but haven't gone there yet. Fall will come and he will grow a new coat when the days get shorter (this is what triggers hair growth, not necessarily temperature) and should be as handsome as always. He also tends to get "scratches" what we old timers used to call "cracked heels" up north. Little sore, scabby areas on the pastern. I'm proactive and a dab of nitro-furacin when the wet weather starts usually keeps it under control. It you let it get away from you it can be a serious condition. And we are always fighting white line disease here in the jungle. More about this later.

One of the first things I taught him was to "park out". This is something Saddleseat type breeds are taught to do. It's a hold over from the time when ladies rode side saddle. The horse stretches his front legs a bit forward and his hind legs out behind. It lowers the back a bit and keeps the horse from being able to walk off without bringing his legs up under him. Now it's used mostly in the show ring to make the horse look more elegant and longer bodied while being judged. It can hide some conformation faults. I recommend it for horses who won't stand for mounting. Play around with it. You will find you can control the hind legs by using your hand on the point of the shoulder. As Rocky's getting older now I only ask him to stand squarely and still at the mounting block now and not to stretch out all the way.

teaching rocky to park out.

confirmed

We haven't been able to ride much lately because of the rain all month and he's pretty out of shape (he hasn't really been fit for about 2 years-for me more about 10!) but like most horses, he doesn't care. As long as the salad bar opens on time.

Pray for our rain to head out West where they really, really need it.