Confidence issues...help?

[hollyberry86]

Hello,

I posted a while back in the health forum about my pony. He has had problems with his coffin join. I added an update to the thread:

horsegossip.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=health&action=display&thread=146830

but I didn't get a reply as to the new problem and as it's more relevant to this forum I'm hoping someone can help!

Basically in a nut shell (more details in link above) said pony went lame in September, after numerous vet visits, weeks on end of box rest, x ray and a steroid injection he now (touch wood) is on the mend and the vet is really happy with his progress.

He's being walked in hand for five minutes a day and will start being turned out for an hour or so a day starting this week building his time out gradually.

My dilema is that in a few weeks the vet wants me to start riding him gently in walk.

I'll give you some history if that's ok (sorry its so long!!)

I've had him since he was rising four and backed him myself. He was really good to do and we progressed well together. If he found something spooky he would stop, just look at it and then decide it was ok and walk past. About 15 months ago he became a lot more spooky to ride, initially i put it down to a change in feed and after spending a lot of time on the phone to top spec (he's on top spec lite balancer and top chop lite) tried him at half rations and cut all hard feed out completely and there was no change in behaviour. He had his saddle checked, teeth and back, nothing wrong. He was spooky to lead from the field, spooky in the stable and spooky in the school when riding.

He then got strangles and was in on box rest for three months. After recouperating and many tests to check that he was clear and wasn't a carrier he went back out in the field. I gave him a couple of months off as I was working away and started bringing him back into work in August. I took it really slowly with lots and lots of ground work, I long reined in the school out on a country lane and finally with the help of an instructor built up the confidence to get on him again (only for 5 minutes in walk) but was a great achievment. Then a week later he became lame with the coffin joint injury.


So now he's improving the vet wants me to start riding him in walk. Whilst I'm confident with him on the ground the thought of riding him makes me feel really nervous and I don't want to pass this on to him. I feel I would prefer to start doing some groundwork and then have him being able to be turned out for a while before getting on him. I think this would be safer and better for him too? However the vet is adamant that he wants me to start riding him before he goes out in the field with his friends (until then he is on his own in the sick paddock).

It's a real shame as we were (and are still on the ground) a solid partnership but over time with him spooking I've lost my nerve

I'm not really sure what to do, whether it's getting some in to ride him,
sending him away to be schooled, getting my instructor back to help me?

I don't want to feel like I'm throwing the towel in and being a wimp by not wanting to ride him but at the same time I don't want my nerves to affect him.

Any ideas/advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading,
Holly

[GinaGeo]

Could he be deficient in Magnesium - that can create the spooky behaviour. The easiest way to test the theory would be to buy some Magnesium Oxide and supplement it. It's a safe one to try like this as any excess will just be excreted. Or you could have your foraged analysed and supplement accordingly.

I'd also suggest having your instructor in to do the ridden work whilst you continue the groundwork. Once you're happy you can have some lessons on him. It's a big confidence boost to just have somebody on the ground.

[chocaholic]

If you explain your concern to your vet they may prescibe sedalin for your first few rides , especially if you have to hack out .

[Tywood]

I really feel for you, I have had two nasty experiences with one of my ponies in the last 18 months, and being older (52) it has really knocked my confidence and like you, I'm fine on the ground handling, but its the getting back on is the problem. The pony concerned has now gone back to his breeder as I felt I would never be able to trust him again, I have just bought a BOMBPROOF pony that I rode when I went to see him, and although he was 'on his toes' I just kept thinking to myself, 'don't be silly he's bombproof (whatever that really means) and I thankfully was fine, I just hope that carries on when I get him home and have to ride, as you say you dont want to transfer your 'fear' to them and maybe unnerve them. I would feel happier riding in a menage or enclosed area, but with the bad ground at the moment I don't have either. Hope you find a solution and get yours fit again

[Bettyboo7]

Is he less spooky to ride in company, either another horse or a person on the ground?
I would be tempted to do as you did before, going back over the ground work and having the instructor to help.
It may seem like you are going over what you have done before as such but you have to do things in your own time, in a way that suits both you and your boy, ultimately you know him best.

For the nerves i would recommend rescue remedy (you can get it from boots ect) i have used it in the past on both me and the horse and worked in both situations!

[hollyberry86]

Hello,

Thank you for all of your replies and advice. It's good to know I'm not alone!!

I think I will go back to basics and do lots of groundwork and if necessary ask instructor to ride him (I'm not sure if she would, I once had an instructor that wouldn't jump on).

I've got a school to ride in (well half a school as the far end he is notoriously spooky and won't settle (lots of trees and things moving behind them)) that said most horses on the yard are spooky down that end.

I've never really had anyone next to me on the ground when I've ridden (apart from that one lesson) and couldn't say whether it made a difference. When I was long reining him to bring him back into work I took him out with another horse and he was a lot less spooky with him there but still 'a little on edge.'

I'll try some rescue remedy

I could also try a magnesium supplement but maybe I should try one thing at a time so that I know if something is working.

Thanks again

Holly

[waspblue]

I too have had my confidence very badly knocked a while ago and I really feel for you. I was very fortunate to win a confidence course through a magazine, it with some fabulous people based in Stoke on Trent, and not only did they help me to understand my fears but they taught me some very simple methods and ways of controlling my nerves. I have a wonderful horse now who is a true gentleman and the combination of the two has helped me to get my confidence back to a really good degree. I still have the wobbles every now and then but the difference now is that I know I have proven techniques to deal with them and to get them under control. I would find it hard to explain in writing and also it would take me forever to write it down, but if you'd like to call me and I can share the marvellous tips and methods they taught me then please just pm me and I'll send you my tel number and hopefully I will be able to try to help you too. I have passed these ways onto other friends and they too have used them with great success. Very good luck and remember you are not alone.

[hollyberry86]

Thanks again everyone, I just wanted to share this picture. It was taken on Saturday and was his first time out in the field since September. He was such a good boy to go out and after a little run around settled quickly and just ate! He was even good to catch which I think for a pony having been in for four months and only having been out for an hour is no mean feat! Thanks again for the advice! I'll let you know how I get on!

[waspblue]

Aww - he looks like he has had so much fun. How nice to see him out relaxing in some of our very rare sunshine. Very pleased for you both.

[hollyberry86]

I rode him for the first time since the lameness today ;D

I wasn't intending to ride him today either, just some long reining but he was so relaxed I just thought right now or never and he was a very good boy! It's the first step on a long road but so happy
Going to book a lesson for next week!

Thanks again for everyone's support! I don't post much but I do actively read what is going on and this is a great forum

[judyh]

Before my daughter's horse was diagnosed with a broke pedal bone at 6 he started to refuse to go forward and would would get very tense when ridden.
This was a horse who had never out a foot wrong at home or away.
We calculated that it was after a show where he was working in well and then half reared for no apparent reason.
We realised pain had caused the problems, he was not showing any lameness at this point.
He had 12 months off work with this and a problem with burst stitches following an operation.
Once back in work he returned to his pre lame self and we have had no further problems.
I would hope your pony is the same and pain caused the spooking, so relax and enjoy riding him again.