We recently purchased Woodrow, our 5 year old TWH at an auction in Shelbyville, TN. Love the horse, he is a wonderful ride, real sweet, loves to be petted and does anything you ask. However, it took Woodrow a couple of weeks to
settle in at our farm and get over being afraid of having someone behind him. Apparently the previous trainers has used “scare” tactics to get him to move out. He wanted to run into and out of this stall, through gates and into the ring. I have investigated a little and found that some trainers and their handlers in the show world like to take short-cuts in training and use pain, such as whipping, cattle prods, etc. to get horses to move forward. Some of these horses never have a kind hand when being handled. I don’t know for sure what happened to Woodrow, but fortunately their has been no permanent damage. He is now happy to walk quietly where ever I ask, stands quietly to mount and happily goes on the trail.
Definitely not afraid of water!
I am starting Woodrow on the cart this week. He will finish up as a well-rounded, field trial, trail horse and driving horse. He hasn’t been driven at all yet and this should be a fun task for him to learn. He is very willing and doesn’t balk at anything I ask of him. He did not know how to park out and learned that in a matter of minutes. He is the type of horse that learns quickly and takes real well to a gentle and slow hand. He always greets me when I go to the barn with a nicker to say hello and hangs his head over the stall door to be loved on.
I would say Woodrow is one of my favorites and I look forward to working with him on a daily basis teaching him what he needs to be a qualified and safe trail horse that anyone can ride. Keep checking back for more on his progress. Watch for upcoming pictures of Woodrow at www.BaymountFarm.com.