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Post by daviesbaby20 on Jan 6, 2012 12:56:13 GMT
The title of the thread pretty much says it all
My section d thinks that EVERYTHING is out to eat him ......
Where do I start what can I do to desensitise him ?
I have no idea if anyone has any tips or suggestions they would be mooost welcome
Thanks in advance x
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Jan 6, 2012 13:34:11 GMT
I start working with that one as weaned foals - if they look twice at anything I lead them over to it, pat it myself, sit on it, put my foot on it, wade through it or whatever. Normally they look at me with eyes on stalks then decide that as it hasn't eaten me it must be OK, so they are encouraged to sniff it etc for themselves. I have been known to dance in and out of a smokey car exhaust, feed them off the bonnet and anything else I can think of. I recommend a halter with a long rope! And they are fed hay from the floor, so right from day one of weaning it is chucked in over the gate across the front of the box into the back corner. To start with they jump, but they soon get used to it and ignore it whistling past their ears.
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Post by LMSmith on Jan 6, 2012 13:43:45 GMT
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Post by daviesbaby20 on Jan 6, 2012 16:32:51 GMT
Thanks for the replies have placed for book so is winging its way to my letter box thanks guys x
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Post by daviesbaby20 on Jan 6, 2012 16:34:41 GMT
This Piotr little guy has from what I can gather led quite a sheltered life he was kept entire until march 2010 so presumably liked up in his stable 24/7 as he was professionally produced so hasn't really seen much of the world other than his no and show grounds  as in my op he nearly dies at every new experience |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Jan 6, 2012 18:47:33 GMT
Poor chap. Plenty of turn out and dot his field with scarey things for him to get used to at his own pace? A nice empty paper feed bag to play with is a good one, maybe not in this wind though, your neighbours might not like it in their garden! Do lots of groundwork with him until he is very light in hand forward and back and turns on the forehand both ways, then do some leading exercises over poles, different surfaces, walking over tarpaulins (yes I know that sounds a non starter now!), under low things and anything else you can think of. Once he has trust in you and nothing does actually eat him he will relax more.
If he has been shown in hand does he WALK nicely in hand or just jog? If so, teaching him to walk by stopping and reversing him every time he jogs could be done as an exercise too.
Attention to his diet - nothing heating, fibre and oil only ideally.
Good luck!
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Post by Karen, garrettponies on Jan 7, 2012 18:54:53 GMT
I leave the radio on for mine at varying volumes and occasionally put brass band music or bagpipes on.......................
I have offcuts of rubber matting as 'doormats' outside the stable doors so they have to walk over something different.
Leave different coloured rugs hanging over his door, coats hung up outside his stable.
I torment mine with alsorts, leave traffic cones in the yard, flappy bags. Kids little windmills (like you get at the seaside).
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Post by daviesbaby20 on Jan 7, 2012 18:55:54 GMT
Thanks for the recommend it landed on my doormat today ! Better get reading lol x |
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Post by LMSmith on Jan 7, 2012 20:27:49 GMT
Thanks for the recommend it landed on my doormat today ! Better get reading lol x I found it a great book to help me get my little man more confident, although some of the more high end stuff is a little bonkers!  |
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Post by junetimp on Jan 8, 2012 20:38:32 GMT
Sorry I can't get this link to work and I too would like to buy this book. Please could you tell me the title. Thanks. |
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Post by LMSmith on Jan 8, 2012 20:52:20 GMT
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Post by junetimp on Jan 9, 2012 16:56:16 GMT
Many thanks LMSmith I will get my order in today  |
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Post by junetimp on Jan 9, 2012 21:38:04 GMT
Book ordered ! Thanks.
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Post by randombadger on Jan 17, 2012 1:14:12 GMT
I let them touch everything. I will touch said scary item myself dismounted stand on it, sit with it for several minutes until they relax and touch. Works a treat for mine. I'm also lucky to be next to a bakery and industrial estate full of HGVS, hustle and bustle and metal workings, a busy working farm with sheep, tractors cows and noisy dogs, a canal, a golf course, railway, pub to park pony and main road. Prime in hand walking out territory. I take my potential FR out to these places and he is coming round quickly. The only thing to terrify him now is the show ring :-)
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Post by aliwelsh on Jan 17, 2012 14:42:54 GMT
agree with above and think the cure is just gradual exposure to everything and anything
having said that (and i'm sure the pony mentioned is not one of these) some ponies never seem to de-spook - a section b we know and a friends part-bred arab still jump out of their skins at least once a day at something or other - it seems to be in their nature
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Post by hedgehopper on Feb 5, 2012 19:42:12 GMT
Join up and lots of monty's groundwork.
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goes through everything step by step from really simple things to really rather scary things!
as in my op he nearly dies at every new experience 
