tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749550487618476570.post8831356061158445953..comments2023-10-26T01:00:36.194-07:00Comments on The Zen Cowgirl Blog: Horse Training: What Your Horse's Rear End Can Tell You about His HeadStephanie Yehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12855598833391632659noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749550487618476570.post-7717414463481596072010-05-11T16:38:52.000-07:002010-05-11T16:38:52.000-07:00This was very interesting....I have always found t...This was very interesting....I have always found this too!! <br />New horses that come to me that are edgy types more tense than usual will ALL have this same complaint - a stiff, jamming, sensitive to be touched tail and plenty that aren't apparently edgy but still need to bond/trust. I can assess the level of resistance, fear or training I am to expect from such a horse by this (amongst other signs). As you say...once they relax, trust and think without being reactionary you are on the road to a good partnership. <br />When on board a horse, given the right circumstances and done carefully, I gently test sliding my hand back behind the saddle, down the croup IF PERMITTED and then to the tail butt...a horse that is comfortable with this is also in a good place. If the horse was comfortable on the ground with his tail being handled but not when the rider is aboard then you know it is not happy about something at the ridden level, or perhaps there's a saddle fit issue, back pain, or poorly balanced rider etc and the horse is tensing in expectation of something it is not comfortable about.<br />I've used this little test when inspecting a horse for somebody wanting to buy it for their beginner child to ride. A supposedly 'bombproof' horse was checking out ok, rode it a little..ok, then tested hand behind saddle and couldn't even proceed any further than a small amount of pressure over the loins without a reaction...humping up and threatened to buck. I wont recommend any horse to a beginner child that isn't comfortable with this! You know what kids are like bumping their leg over behind the saddle as they mount or playing with friends wanting to double etc...you can see where this would go can't you ;)<br />Thanks Stephanie, this is useful food for thought for folks less acquainted with these observations :)))WhisperinHorseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00758082973342278564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749550487618476570.post-12793950533471795502010-04-30T05:21:27.061-07:002010-04-30T05:21:27.061-07:00I have sure found this to be the case with my mare...I have sure found this to be the case with my mare, Cerise. When her tail is tight she is not in a receptive, learning mode.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13487586824404967240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749550487618476570.post-90062058929856110542010-04-19T13:57:39.485-07:002010-04-19T13:57:39.485-07:00It's been said that all roads in life lead to ...It's been said that all roads in life lead to the same end.<br /><br />If a person had no experience with horse's you might say this was a tall tale, or is there no end to this tail, or can I just tail along for a while, or maybe I'm coming up short on the tail end, or this is a whale of a tail. Are trails may be different but we'll all arrive at the tail end sooner or later.<br /><br />Well it just so happens that the tail of a horse has always been integral to the well being of my trail rides, how so you ask, well the area that I ride in is steep alpine country so a croupier is a must for all horse's including the pack horse unless you have britchen. I suppose I've been lucky or maybe it's the personality of the horse's I buy I'm not sure but now that I think of it I always check the tail to see how the horse responds to handling.<br /><br />All my saddle's have D rings behind the cantel so the croupier snaps on quick with four fingers of slack on the level ground, the tail is checked every time with a watchful eye for abrasions that might cause the horse any discomfort. Especially a new croupier.<br /><br />A horse's tail is incredibly strong and holds the saddle back on the steepest grades with easy, theirs nothing worst than feeling yourself slipping forward on your horse as he tries to negotiate a steep incline.<br /><br />So this brings me back to the blog, my horse's never take issue with the handling of their tails so I guess their good to go do what ever. I guess I've been checking out the tail for flexibility and didn't even know it. Now I now another reason to check out the tail.<br /><br />Thanks StephanieGarth Mulhollandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749550487618476570.post-92197721848726502010-04-14T11:20:44.796-07:002010-04-14T11:20:44.796-07:00Way to go Walker!!! I'm proud of you. GOOD B...Way to go Walker!!! I'm proud of you. GOOD BOY!!<br /><br />(Of course, Way to go Stephanie!)Sandra R. Infingerhttp://www.healthyyouandyours.comnoreply@blogger.com