AboutRick Gore (www.thinklikeahorse.org) Expertise Visit Rick Gore's Horse Site: www.thinklikeahorse.org --I am a student of the horse. I can answer questions about sacking out (Desensitizing vs. Sensitizing), dealing with spooky, abused or ex-race horses, rearing, bucking, horses that won’t tie or load into a trailer, working in a round pen/round corral, starting colts, dealing with aggressive or so called "mean" horses, herd behavior, biting, kicking, horses that won’t let you mess with their feet or head, horses that are hard to take a bit and hard to catch. I can also answer questions about using a bosal or hackamore, do's and don'ts, soft hands and direct reining verses neck reining. If you expect me to tell you feel good advice, you will be disappointed. 95% of all my answers will include the problem is you and not your horse. About 90% of most answers that I give out are on my web site, so if you read it you will probably answer your own question and may learn a few other things. I am like Gordon Ramsey (Hell's Kitchen) and Simon Cowell (Idol), you may not like what I say or how I say it, but it will be pretty true and accurate, in my opinion, judging from my experience.
Experience I am an experienced horseman with many years of riding and handling horses. I grew up in Texas around horses and horse people. I have started colts, ridden many horses with behavior issues and worked with problem horses. (I believe that most horse problems are normally people problems) I believe in and practices natural horsemanship. I continue to read and study books by great horsemen. I routinely attends clinics, talks with and discuss horse issues with other clinicians and trainers. I have never met a horse that could not be fixed. I believe it is never the horse's fault and with proper handling, all problems can be worked out.
Education/Credentials Rick has life long experience in being around and working with horses. Over the years he has watched good horsemen do the right thing and seen the wrong things done with bad results. Rick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Question I purchased a Shetland pony a little over a year ago. I was told he (gelded) was a rescue and not too much more than that. He is timid and spooks easily is hard to catch in the paddock or pasture. I have tried treats, hands on until he calms down,desensitizing with feed bags and a long line whip, this has helped some but he seems to want to trust me but then it's like we're back to square 1. It took months before he would trust me enough to groom him, but he still has issues sometimes with his feet. I also have a miniature whom he adores and does not like to be separated from her, but she is not herd bound. If he gets too scared he has been known to kick but never offers to bite. What am I doing wrong? I want to be able to use him for pony rides, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon. I was also told Shetland are hard headed and moody, is this correct? After reading your column, I'm doubtful about that. I hope it is something I am doing so I can correct it and move on to a good relationship with this little guy. His name is Echo, he is around 5 or 6 yrs. old and I have only a little experience with horses. I took riding lessons for a few years, I was born on a farm but was only 9 when we sold and moved into a small village. I am in my fifties and I do have alot of patience so please what can you do for me? and are there any training books you could recommend that would be useful. Thanks, Carolyn
ps:I have a barn that the horses have access to 24/7
Answer Well you are right, it is you and not the horse. This horse is just a horse. There are several good books but you need to realize that it takes years, 20 to 30, to really master horsemanship, you can not learn it from a book, a video, a few lessons, clinics or by owning a horse. All of this helps, but it is a life long journey. The most important thing is learn to think, act and be a horse. Understanding of the horse is mandatory to make any progress. Read my site, I have lots of info that will help. Read it more than once and it will make more sense. Watch videos, read, study the horse but the most learning will come from the horse. Time spent in the saddle, time spent in the pasture watching, time spent with horse and learning their language and communication techniques.
You cannot love your way to a horse. Horses do not respect love. They respect strong leaders, the respect consistent discipline, the need and look for direction and if the don't get it, then they give it. You will not see another horse offer carrots to make friends with a horse. It would be like you offering a cookie to rattlesnake so he would not bite you... it would not work.
Ponies are the most abused horses out there. They are loved at first then pushed off and sold when the newest wears off. They never have a consistent home or owner, they are spoiled and loved and become mean, sour and resentful of humans, for good reason. This pony could be a perfect pony in about a week of proper handling, but it can only get that if you understand horses and are willing to be a high horse, a leader, and willing to provide strong discipline just like a horse would... This is where most women fail, they think being tough is mean, the horse see tough as clear and strong leadership, unless you accept this, you cannot help this horse.
I have some good links to other sites, articles and other information, so if you read my site, go to all the links and read them, that should keep you busy for a few months.
