Sometimes horses are just too smart. They figure out what you are going to do, and try to help you get it done. We think it’s cute, but it can be very dangerous.
My one boarders horse is a quick thinker. He knows the routine and is right there with the answer. “I can do this!”
It’s wonderful when they see you coming with the hoof pick and pick their foot up for you, before you ask. It’s not such a good idea when they try to help you remove their bridle or halter. This particular horse, the minute you put your hand on the crown piece will rip his head out of the halter. If your not careful, your fingers go with it. I’ve been refusing to remove it until he stands quietly and allows me to do it. Same thing with the fly mask, and I’ve seen him try it with the bridle. This presents the problem of the bit hitting him in the teeth. You always have the chance of getting slammed in the face, depending on what you are trying to get accomplished.
When I remove their blankets, over their heads, they want to help too. They fly backwards. If they get caught in anything, you have a blanket chasing a horse all over the pasture or stall. They shred them very nicely. Make them stand quietly. Their bucket, with grain in it, is a good incentive.
My favorite line is “Just Let Me Do It And We’ll Get Done A Lot Quicker!” They just don’t believe me, most times.
I love when they just drop their heads and slide their noses into the blanket when you are putting it on, and just drop their heads and let it slide down their necks to remove it.
Then, which I’ve mentioned before, I have Zoey who wants to help you open the gate, and close it. Usually on another horse, dog, or person. Her “I know how to do this” attitude is cute, sometimes helpful, and sometimes not.
They have to remember that you are in charge of the decisions as to when and how things are going to be done, and wait for you to ask for their assistance. Helping is cute until you end up in the hospital with broken fingers with, as my friend calls them, fish hooks sticking out of the sides. She said she learned her lesson, but at what price? No barn time for over a month because they were afraid of infection into the bones.
Remember, you are the alfa mare. They always give to the alfa mare. Make them chill and wait for you to do things, or give them the signal. As you get older, all the injuries that were caused to our fingers, and didn’t notice, come back to haunt us big time. You get a combination of swelling, arthritis, and fingers that lock and you have to open them with your other hand. I pull a weed, unlock my fingers, pull another weed, unlock my fingers, ……… Yes according to by acupuncturist it’s caused by closing our fingers hard on our rains to stop all those horses that had no mouths when we were kids, or have them tight on a lunge line as the horse is dragging us around, but either way, they don’t work so well anymore. At the time it was happening, we didn’t think anything of it, but we do now in our 70’s. I can still type and play the piano because they like to be bent, it’s straightening them out that is the problem.
Always remember, you are in charge, crooked fingers and all.