Horsemanship Field Test
I took the rubber dog grooming mitt out to the horse pasture to conduct an experiment. This implement is made of soft rubber and has rounded nibs on one side and longer rubber bristles on the other and is easily obtainable at pet supply stores. My horse seemed to prefer this mitt to the conventional rubber curry.
The experiment was inspired by my own new bath brush. Washing with the brush was heavenly on my back. For the first time, I had some insight as to why my horses liked being groomed. Horses have more sensitive skin then humans and are very individual in their grooming preferences. I wanted to try the "apparently approved" grooming implement on my horse when he was loose so that he could move away from any uncomfortable sensations.
Background: My horse currently lives in a 40-acre field with about 17 other geldings. He is accustomed to the concept of a "social call" in which I go out to the field just to check up on him. I always take a halter and lead shank since these can be swished at other horses to discourage their approach. All my horses are trained to come to me, to stand on cue and allow me to check their feet without being haltered or tied. To be able to do this experiment with your own horse you must be able to cue him/her to stand still and to walk around him in both directions.
Action: The test subject (a chestnut gelding, breed probably Tennessee Walking Horse, age somewhere between 12 and 18 years, answers to name of Rudy) approached, was given normal greeting and piece of candy. From horse's left side, cue to stand given and all four feet were inspected in random order to prevent horse anticipating which foot came next. Itchy spot on chest scratched by hand as reward for standing still. Using the rubber bristle side (the most intense side) and starting from the left side (most familiar handling zone), the experimenter first applied gentle pressure in a circular rubbing motion to the following areas in order: withers, neck, belly, rump and chest. If the subject did not move away the pressure was gradually increased. Both sides were tested, although a problem developed.
I now have a good idea of which sections of my horse fall into the following categories:
ticklish (girth area, lower belly and flank),
neutral (very small area on neck),
itchy but approach from proper social angle (shoulders and withers),
I'll-stand-forever-if-you-scratch-me-here (top of rump and back of hind legs above hock) and
yesyesyesDON'TSTOP (chest, underside of neck).
Experiment had to be halted because test subject (estimated weight 1200lbs) kept trying to apply latter area to grooming implement. Really amazing contortions were achieved with trying to test the right side as horse kept trying to present his chest. The only area that could compete with the chest was the rump. I had to cue the stand, which messed up the premise of the horse free to move during the experiment. Even then, when I quit rubbing the rump the test subject attempted to switch position of head and rump without moving feet. I put the halter on Rudy as a signal that the game was over and then he made faces and kept tilting his head comically, one way he has of playing for human laughter.
The experiment was inspired by my own new bath brush. Washing with the brush was heavenly on my back. For the first time, I had some insight as to why my horses liked being groomed. Horses have more sensitive skin then humans and are very individual in their grooming preferences. I wanted to try the "apparently approved" grooming implement on my horse when he was loose so that he could move away from any uncomfortable sensations.
Background: My horse currently lives in a 40-acre field with about 17 other geldings. He is accustomed to the concept of a "social call" in which I go out to the field just to check up on him. I always take a halter and lead shank since these can be swished at other horses to discourage their approach. All my horses are trained to come to me, to stand on cue and allow me to check their feet without being haltered or tied. To be able to do this experiment with your own horse you must be able to cue him/her to stand still and to walk around him in both directions.
Action: The test subject (a chestnut gelding, breed probably Tennessee Walking Horse, age somewhere between 12 and 18 years, answers to name of Rudy) approached, was given normal greeting and piece of candy. From horse's left side, cue to stand given and all four feet were inspected in random order to prevent horse anticipating which foot came next. Itchy spot on chest scratched by hand as reward for standing still. Using the rubber bristle side (the most intense side) and starting from the left side (most familiar handling zone), the experimenter first applied gentle pressure in a circular rubbing motion to the following areas in order: withers, neck, belly, rump and chest. If the subject did not move away the pressure was gradually increased. Both sides were tested, although a problem developed.
I now have a good idea of which sections of my horse fall into the following categories:
ticklish (girth area, lower belly and flank),
neutral (very small area on neck),
itchy but approach from proper social angle (shoulders and withers),
I'll-stand-forever-if-you-scratch-me-here (top of rump and back of hind legs above hock) and
yesyesyesDON'TSTOP (chest, underside of neck).
Experiment had to be halted because test subject (estimated weight 1200lbs) kept trying to apply latter area to grooming implement. Really amazing contortions were achieved with trying to test the right side as horse kept trying to present his chest. The only area that could compete with the chest was the rump. I had to cue the stand, which messed up the premise of the horse free to move during the experiment. Even then, when I quit rubbing the rump the test subject attempted to switch position of head and rump without moving feet. I put the halter on Rudy as a signal that the game was over and then he made faces and kept tilting his head comically, one way he has of playing for human laughter.
posted by Ellen Miz Ellen at 4:39 PM
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