tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post1361725584819314387..comments2023-10-11T14:32:53.542-06:00Comments on Fern Valley Appaloosas: Sense and desensitizeSherry Sikstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739108723318002627noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-53391039002266865692013-01-25T21:04:41.332-07:002013-01-25T21:04:41.332-07:00I agree with you too.
Respect and trust leads to ...I agree with you too. <br />Respect and trust leads to confidence. What gets you there, consistency. <br />Desensitation, bombproof, etc. are buzzwords. <br />Some horses are very high flight, some are fight, most are somewhere in the middle. <br />Back to trust and respect. Both ways! They know if you dont trust them, we arent so good at telling sometimes if they dont trust us.<br /><br />We could go on and on, on this subject! LOL<br />Reddunappyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02789213785183576404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-70097958175160305502013-01-25T11:31:18.672-07:002013-01-25T11:31:18.672-07:00I agree with you here 100% Its like training a dog...I agree with you here 100% Its like training a dog to trust you and focus on you when things arise . No animal can totally be Desensitize not even humans are fully desensitized there is just some things that will make animals and humans freak out about that's nature in it's self ! It can go either way make them feel comfortable or a bag of nerves all in how it is done ! But you can help the fear of what ever it is be a bit easier for said animal or human . Great post and subject . Have a good day !Country Gal https://www.blogger.com/profile/08693944554850315123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-87153909354880119252013-01-25T06:57:14.778-07:002013-01-25T06:57:14.778-07:00Make total sense. I think the desensitizing gives...Make total sense. I think the desensitizing gives the horse more confidence but also helps it look to you as the leader. But really, they are all individuals and therefore always unpredictable. Good descriptions. And what a day you had meeting Temple Grandin. 4RRanchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14922623850041091213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-42527231571763610842013-01-24T17:59:23.803-07:002013-01-24T17:59:23.803-07:00Welcome Sarah! thanks for stopping byWelcome Sarah! thanks for stopping bySherry Sikstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15739108723318002627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-35008394144201532422013-01-24T16:03:28.190-07:002013-01-24T16:03:28.190-07:00I just found and joined your blog. We are lovers...I just found and joined your blog. We are lovers of horses and all things country! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05288802647320980049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-89168053680970508512013-01-24T10:45:08.135-07:002013-01-24T10:45:08.135-07:00I agree Pixie. I am not against treat totally but ...I agree Pixie. I am not against treat totally but not so much as a training tool. Especially with pressure and release. If you become too free with the treats you will become ever so familiar with pressure and release , as the horse <i>pressures you to relase the treats</i>Sherry Sikstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15739108723318002627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-1801628847557601102013-01-24T09:58:29.960-07:002013-01-24T09:58:29.960-07:00I agree that maybe the terminology is leaving some...I agree that maybe the terminology is leaving something to be desired. <br /><br />I can't stand the 'treat mongers'. Ohhh she looks pretty, give her a treat. Wow, she flicked an ear, give her a treat. She looked at me and blinked an eye- two treats. <br /><br />What happens if (Heaven forbid!) you ever run out of treats????One Bad Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04139395145674594659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-2747576742227008922013-01-23T14:32:12.257-07:002013-01-23T14:32:12.257-07:00Desensitizing is one thing I can't stand heari...Desensitizing is one thing I can't stand hearing around horses. Right up there with 'bombproof'. If there are bombs going off, I want my horse to get me the Hell OUTTA Dodge! Not just stand around ignoring everything.Cut-N-Jumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10355349642284506192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-91470602929733488742013-01-23T10:22:26.187-07:002013-01-23T10:22:26.187-07:00Just now read your other comments. Good thoughts ...Just now read your other comments. Good thoughts and ideas all around, I think! Terminology is in many cases different that people may use, but often times can be similar processes. My main thing with teaching horses just about anything is to keep them moving their feet. A stuck horse is a time-bomb. Always better to get them moving, direct their feet and that is a sure fire way to get their brains working. Seems like their brain is directly connected to their feet. Move the feet/direct their mind. Ray always said this too, "direct the life in the body through the mind to the feet". It's all true, and more simple than us people want to make it most times. Good thing when we think too huh? C-ingspotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17744931697050670013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-5068988295575576472013-01-23T10:09:40.287-07:002013-01-23T10:09:40.287-07:00Good post Sherry! And yes, quite clear actually. ...Good post Sherry! And yes, quite clear actually. I so agree. I was reminded that Ray used to ask people; "why in hell would you want to desensitize your horse?". And like you've been saying, it's not about desensitizing them at all; rather about being able to focus and place their trust in you as their reliable leader. But the more experiences/obstacles/situations, whatever we can introduce them do will help to build confidence. Both confidence in themselves and in us. Love it!C-ingspotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17744931697050670013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-4045068240872947402013-01-22T22:14:30.465-07:002013-01-22T22:14:30.465-07:00I don't think you're off base:)I don't think you're off base:)Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05925307178219109622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-85699148878618103272013-01-22T20:46:21.536-07:002013-01-22T20:46:21.536-07:00I totally agree with everything said in this post....I totally agree with everything said in this post. Horses are amazing.<br /><br />www.modernworld4.blogspot.comGina Gaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09032273127593718883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-52561123977715206672013-01-22T17:28:20.172-07:002013-01-22T17:28:20.172-07:00Good points, Sherry. I prefer to think of it as bu...Good points, Sherry. I prefer to think of it as building trust rather than desensitizing. I like to introduce young horses to many different "obstacles" with the purpose of teaching them to think, and to trust that a) said object won't hurt them, and b) I won't put them in a situation that will cause them harm. I like them to have their natural "fight or flight" reaction at first, and then stop and think it over, and approach with caution, if they do that, then my plan is working. The more you introduce them to, and the more they look to you for leadership, the better your chances of them not blowing at strange things on the trail. It's always good to have a "calm down" cue, usually the one rein stop unless of course you don't want them to actually stop. As in, if they see a bear or moose etc. Then maybe a cue that gets their attention on you, such as bridling up.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15454110560303310751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-30876269571638676182013-01-22T14:29:06.847-07:002013-01-22T14:29:06.847-07:00Your clear as mud but I understand you ;) I want ...Your clear as mud but I understand you ;) I want my horses to trust me when we get in a bad situation. Sometimes that's easier said than done too.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07183448760614051130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-66524521282720006132013-01-22T11:58:55.960-07:002013-01-22T11:58:55.960-07:00Yup, Crystal dont want hem to be in your lap eith...Yup, Crystal dont want hem to be in your lap either! LOL<br />Ami,GLand Aurora, thank you .<br />Ian, I actually was startled by how casual my horses were when near a bear(kinda freaked me out a bit )As to the moose, same thing as quickly as possible get ther focus back to you , circle , take the back end away etc<br />Kate I have often wondered about clicker training, as much as I know about it I can see where it would be helpful Sherry Sikstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15739108723318002627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-63304067594200191802013-01-22T11:47:22.276-07:002013-01-22T11:47:22.276-07:00Nuzz Muzz, the circleing in smaller circles when...Nuzz Muzz, the circleing in smaller circles when spooked is part of the learn to spook in place , as you teach them not to come into your space but to look to you for feedback and comfort. You are doing well with your lessons , keep up the good work Sherry Sikstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15739108723318002627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-77413943133286426962013-01-22T09:52:47.148-07:002013-01-22T09:52:47.148-07:00My biggest worry is coming across a moose while on...My biggest worry is coming across a moose while on a trail ride. All three of my horses "Blow up" when they see one. I haven't come across one while riding, so I hope their trust level is high enough to ride it out.<br /><br />I was also worried about bears, but this proved unfounded when I had to pass within 40 feet of a small one. My horse saw it, but responded to my commands OK. Next time? Who knows?<br /><br />My worst horse for spooking is now down to a quick startle response when something comes out of the bush , like a dog. She no longer does the turn and run. <br /><br />My feeling is that the more time you can spend with the horse, the greater the trust level, and the less explosive the response.<br /><br />But then again, what do I know? :-}IanHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15874490886311041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-47505920201764491002013-01-22T07:06:43.634-07:002013-01-22T07:06:43.634-07:00Yeah, I've noticed that desensitizing to speci...Yeah, I've noticed that desensitizing to specific objects never really seems to work. What I hear all the time is to teach your horse "to spook in place" while desensitizing, but I have yet to hear how to teach a horse to spook in place. Hobble them while you shake a bag in their face? I've just come to the conclusion that some horses will always spook. There's no warning, so you just always have to be ready to hang on and circle them after the fact. I'm not sure how to get them to resist the impulse of spooking and voluntarily turn their attention to you if they don't give you any warning. If you feel them tense up, you can turn them to face the object, but if something bursts out of the brush at your horse's feet, he's just going to react. I'm an older, experienced woman and I still jump when that happens. You can't train me to hold still when something scary and unexpected flies at me.Nuzzling Muzzleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649710635013663900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-25499509517679011922013-01-22T06:51:38.981-07:002013-01-22T06:51:38.981-07:00Love this. So true. Love this. So true. GoLightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18283690734019490983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-46225342836697111892013-01-22T04:48:33.621-07:002013-01-22T04:48:33.621-07:00Good thinking. You are not off base, anyone with h...Good thinking. You are not off base, anyone with half a horse-sense will understand what you are saying and agree with you. I do. aurorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04731529798233954353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-18678821033667137522013-01-22T04:23:59.416-07:002013-01-22T04:23:59.416-07:00I agree with everything you say. Horses don't...I agree with everything you say. Horses don't generalize well about objects - a water bucket on its side isn't the same as a water bucket sitting upright.<br /><br />I'm looking for the horse to have an ability to self-calm, have curiosity be greater than fear, and to be able to respect my space and listen to me and stay with me even when something really worries them. I think a lot of "desensitized" horses are really overwhelmed and shut down, particularly if the desensitization has been done in such a way as to force the horse to tolerate whatever it is.<br /><br />With Dawn, who is particularly reactive, I've had good success with using a bit of clicker training to get her to approach scary objects on her own and calm down if an object scares her. She's much better than she used to be. I don't use clicker a lot, but it really worked in this situation.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603513755231165590.post-40648329563417497792013-01-21T23:25:52.873-07:002013-01-21T23:25:52.873-07:00I agree, its more about the horse paying attention...I agree, its more about the horse paying attention to you no matter what is going on around them. And unfortunately there is no possible way to make a bombproof horse and get them used to everything. One of my favorite tricks is to pretend it is normal and it happens all the time, like its no big deal. Seems to work pretty good so far. <br /><br />I too agree with your last statement, you don't want a super desensitized horse or a super sensitized horse either, somewhere in the middle seems to work - action without craziness and fear.Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18035210092855895218noreply@blogger.com