Posted by George Spear on October 25, 2003 at 06:08:26:
In Reply to: Re: Owner who really does want to train posted by Gary on October 24, 2003 at 14:52:12:
: : : Can anyone explain or tell me where to find, very detailed training advice for me as an owner? When I cleaan my mini mule's hooves, he leans on me and also sometimes takes feet away. He seems to be impatient and angry. I do not know what the cause is here. Can't tell if he was spoiled or mugged, or both. I honestly don't know what to do. I am comfortable with training my dog using a "chain" collar, without anger. I don't have any advice to go by, when it comes to the horse leaning, etc. Would be very grateful to know exactly what to do about behavior. Many thanks.
: : Hi Nancy, I have good luck kneeling down beside smaller animals like yours and then picking up there feet. Don't pull them off balance and if your he is young train slowly and keep it short. Try to be as easy as possible and patient. Most of the time smaller animals are more intimidated by us humans because we tower over them. Also work on leading him around forward, backing up, turning left and right with the goal that he does all of this on a loose lead and willingly. If he resists or has the impulse to pull then you need to be quick to release pressure when he pulls and slowly tighten your grip and put steady pressure on the lead and hold it until he yields to it, as soon as he yields or gives to the pressure, release the pressure right away and praise him with a light rub on his head and neck. Do not slap or pat him you want to lightly rub. Slapping and patting is not a praise it is to hard on them. If he bites, rears or kicks then you need to make your self big and loud or maybe a swat on the rear, shoulder or belly to let him know that this is unacceptable behavior, you have to do this within 3 seconds otherwise forget it. Work with him as often as you can and after awhile you will get to know him and he will get to know you and things will work out.
: : Hope this helps, any questions feel free to E-mail me.
: : Phil
: Let me add to Phil's good advice. You must make the animal comfortable when picking up the feet. That means not lifting it up too high to make YOU comfortable. Make sure he's on a flat and level spot and gently pinch the tendon on the back of the cannon bone and let him pick up his own feet and then you just cradle the hoof at a comfort zone he likes. Good Luck! Gary
If you go to clinton anderson's website he sells a one hour video tape on how to get you horse/mule ready for the farrier. Takes about 5-10 minutes a day for a few weeks. I had a customer with one mini donkey who used to kick violently with both hinds when we got anywhere near his hind feet. He got the tape and now its one of the easiest critters I do. I love minis and mini donks but did not know anyone was breeding mini-mules betcha there very cute.
www.clintonanderson.net.
Pat Parelli who is another one of my favorite trainers is rumored to be working on a tape about this subject but it is not availabe yet. Pat started out working with mules before he trained horses and tells people that natural horsemanship works very well on mules. Good Luck.
George
Lazy L Farrier Service