|
Post by lolly on Jul 30, 2014 9:38:49 GMT
Just wondering if anyone has any good tips please.
my horse was broken a few months ago and he is brilliant on the ground, very trusting and his ground work is spot on.
however when i ride him he is really scared of me, (not just me, anyone who is on board) he is tense for a good 15-20 minutes when i first get on and if i make the slightest movement he either runs or jumps to one side. (back, teeth etc all up to date and no problems) i have never had one be so frightened before and just wondered if anyone has experienced the same thing and how you overcome it?
at the minute i am just singing to him, giving him loads of praise, feeding him stood on a box at the side, then feeding when i get on but its proving to be a long slow process.
any advice is welcome please!!
|
|
|
Post by robrocks on Jul 30, 2014 12:31:25 GMT
Could he be cold backed? You've probably done it but give him a good lunge first.
|
|
|
Post by lolly on Jul 30, 2014 13:08:01 GMT
Yes tried all those kind of things its literally when im above him his eyes are on stalks like hes waiting for something to happen. Also has a massager on before i ride to relax him.
|
|
kirky
Full Member
Posts: 238
|
Post by kirky on Jul 30, 2014 13:14:10 GMT
If it wasn't you who broke him in then maybe something happened during that process. Could be worth speaking to whoever to see what if anything happened.
|
|
|
Post by hayesface on Jul 30, 2014 19:43:06 GMT
Don't have the answers at the moment but very interested in this topic as we have just bought a 4 year old who is scared of EVERYTHING! We are going with the "repeat everything until it's thoroughly boring" and it seems to be working but it's a slow process. Good luck and keep us posted x
|
|
|
Post by bubbles1822 on Jul 30, 2014 20:03:04 GMT
how about grooming him stood on a box next to him... get him used to you being above
|
|
|
Post by lolly on Jul 30, 2014 21:29:48 GMT
Yes I'm doing that at the minute I'm standing on a box to groom tack him up and just mess about cuddling him etc... That's made him less tense for when I get on but still when I'm on he's very scared, even if I move my reins he jumps about a foot to the side... Out of ideas really :-(
|
|
|
Post by bubbles1822 on Jul 31, 2014 8:15:13 GMT
Yes I'm doing that at the minute I'm standing on a box to groom tack him up and just mess about cuddling him etc... That's made him less tense for when I get on but still when I'm on he's very scared, even if I move my reins he jumps about a foot to the side... Out of ideas really :-( how about putting the bridle on when you groom him so the reins are resting on his neck, obviously just be careful they arent too long, or headcollar and lead rope with the rope around his neck. other things ive done is lay un rolled bandages over neck, back etc so they get used to things, lunging with the stirrups down and reins twisted... keep going with him it will only get better!! more work gives a greater reward and tbh a better pony in the long run!!
|
|
|
Post by sjw87 on Jul 31, 2014 8:44:03 GMT
I see you've said back and teeth are up to date - when were they done? Were they checked by a vet or dentist and chiro/physio?
How does his saddle fit? Even just a slight bit of pressure in the wrong place can make a wary horse extremely nervous and upset.
Is he happy for you to sit bareback on him in the stable? At what point in the backing process did he show this nervousness? Has anyone fallen off him?
I know it's more questions than answers but just things to consider. He's obviously worried about something but is trying his best not to use his flight instinct and bolt with you.
Sent from my GT-I9195 using proboards
|
|
|
Post by lolly on Jul 31, 2014 9:14:02 GMT
Yes back and teeth all done and up to date by the proper people for the job, (done within the last 4 weeks) saddle fits perfect.
never got on him bareback as wouldnt stay on if he jumped like he does and i believe he spooked once when he was very first sat on and someone fell off him - could he be worried about that?
|
|
|
Post by bigmama on Jul 31, 2014 11:04:12 GMT
There is no quick fix, I'm afraid, slowly, surely, doing all of the above, he will eventually be the happy confident horse you are looking for and your best friend with time, repitition and patience ... good luck and keep us informed, this is a very interesting topic
On a final note, you could try a reputable horse-whisperer too ;-)
|
|
|
Post by CarolineNelson on Jul 31, 2014 11:42:59 GMT
There is no quick fix, I'm afraid, slowly, surely, doing all of the above, he will eventually be the happy confident horse you are looking for and your best friend with time, repitition and patience ... good luck and keep us informed, this is a very interesting topic On a final note, you could try a reputable horse-whisperer too ;-) Along the lines of Bigmama's last sentence, I can wholeheartedly recommend the name of a superb, trustworthy Radionics Practitioner (Distance 'Healing'). Sounds quirky but it really does work. PM me if you would like contact details for her. And advice (above) is all good. If someone has come off him when he was backed, he is bound to be unsettled. My gut feeling is to suggest taking him through the whole breaking process again - as if from scratch - in due course you will find the 'missing link' in his jigsaw puzzle. Good luck.
|
|
kirky
Full Member
Posts: 238
|
Post by kirky on Jul 31, 2014 12:10:05 GMT
I agree that when someone fell off him during backing this has most likely upset him. Poor lad, but by going back as suggested above am sure you and he will come through it.
|
|
|
Post by sjw87 on Jul 31, 2014 19:08:04 GMT
Yup, having someone come off them early on can have a massive negative effect.
Many years ago, I had a horse who was deemed dangerous as he was so terrified under saddle. I did as above, restarted him from scratch but with a slight difference - I did everything from the right hand side including leaning over and mounting when the time came. Once he was happy with me on him, I'd do 5mins then get off and remount from the correct side. He will always be cold backed but he's been successful enough to suggest that it worked! It's not conventional but this horse was seriously screwed up, it just meant I had to practice getting on from the wrong side using a safe and sensible older horse to get myself into the swing of it!
Sent from my GT-I9195 using proboards
|
|
|
Post by joules on Aug 1, 2014 9:16:05 GMT
Caroline Nelson, I have PM you , please would you let me have the tellephone number of the Radionics Practitioner, Thank You Joules.
|
|
|
Post by busybusy on Aug 1, 2014 9:17:09 GMT
I would contact Intelligent Horsemanship (Kelly Marks) - absolutely just what you need is some experienced and trained support and assistance.
|
|
|
Post by CarolineNelson on Aug 1, 2014 9:24:02 GMT
Caroline Nelson, I have PM you , please would you let me have the tellephone number of the Radionics Practitioner, Thank You Joules. Yes, I will. Apologies, have been a bit busy! Her name is Lara Parsons and she is highly recommended. C.
|
|
|
Post by eskvalleystud on Aug 1, 2014 15:56:27 GMT
as suggested go back to the beginning of the process once all pain is ruled out, I think you have an advantage that his groundwork is great and he has a great rapport with you on the ground, I would see if he can cope with a dummy instead on his back with you his trusted person being on the ground with him - just make sure the dummy can be taken off easily if he really were to panic. Saying that its so easy for us to give you advise when we are not in your situation with your horse and his reaction so I would agree that a I.H. R.A. is the way forward better still Kelly Marks herself! I remember the first time I fell off one of the young mares jumping and she got such a fright that a human could do that it took her some time to realise I wouldn't be flying through the air from her each time! It must be quite upsetting for some of them being flight animals to have their human go flying off them but you do wonder if your horse was also maybe hurt in the process (unintentionally)
|
|
|
Post by sjm on Aug 2, 2014 21:11:02 GMT
As above, one of my friends stuffed an old all in one with hay to make a dummy to get used to movement and weight on the back, she used to throw it on and walk pony around the yard until it fell off, until the pony didn't bother, then tied it on to the saddle.
|
|
|
Post by lolly on Aug 8, 2014 8:31:42 GMT
update - almost 2 weeks on from this post.
Things are improving by the day so just wanted to say thank you for all the advice. i took him back to basics long reining and lunging and then leaning over him and giving him lots of praise.
again more grooming stood on a box with his bridle on (and my hat) so he stops worrying everytime im above him and he is slowly learning not to be frightened.
when i get on now he walks off in a very calm manner and doesnt put his back up which is a huge step forward.
my instructor has seen a huge difference so its nice to know were heading in the right direction!!
|
|
|
Post by gilbertgrape on Aug 8, 2014 12:33:40 GMT
Pleased its all positive. Just keep at it.
|
|