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Post by Casprinela600 on Oct 5, 2018 6:34:33 GMT
My horse isn't a stressy horse at all on a normal day to day basis he is so easy but at a big show with large crowds music lights etc he wouldn't stand still and his whole body was soaked with sweat and normal shows he is absolutely fine
This was clearly overwhelming for him but how can I sort this out and train him that it's okay!?
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Post by 5874julie on Oct 9, 2018 18:17:48 GMT
things you could try include sheepskin ear plugs, and a single dose calmer.
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Oct 9, 2018 18:32:59 GMT
Up the upsetting factors bit by bit, play music/radio in the stables to get him used to it. Go to bigger shows and just walk quietly around rather than competing until he settles. He will get used to it in time and familiarity.
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Post by catkin on Oct 11, 2018 11:39:41 GMT
Yes, I agree with SarahP. However (and I don't mean to be the voice of doom) some are more upset than others by these situations and never really settle, so it is also a question of training them to listen to you at all times so they can a. do as they are told and b. take comfort from you. Things I do are; to have music playing quite loud in the stables and sometimes when riding. To allow them to watch buzzier situations rather than joining in. So a good ride round a busy show is highly educational, particularly if you can go with a quiet one. I am never sure if calmers work or not, but worth a go. Yes to ear plugs. Best of luck.
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bugs
Junior Member
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Post by bugs on Oct 11, 2018 16:53:46 GMT
I agree with all the above. It’s taken nearly 3 years to settle one of mine down, a year and bit for another and the other one never cared about anything! Each is individual. I’ve just been lots of places including the beach, forest, sponsored rides, shows and clinics to make it all normal.
I do rate calmers but they are very individual so you need to be prepared to spend the money to trial them as only one or two work on each horse. I have found success with Blue chip Karma, Topspec calmer, Freestep Steady and science supplement prokalm at different times with different horses.
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Oct 12, 2018 8:19:50 GMT
I'm a grumpy old woman who has never used calmers - most of my horsey life they weren't there to be used anyway - but I tend to think that if you can't sort it out by working with the horse instead of trying to make it do whatever it is it's not happy with, then it needs a different job. Assuming of course that it is being fed a suitable balanced diet and not short of any essential micronutrients.
Also take him to work in an indoor school. Do some dressage competitions - generally quieter and he gets to do his individual thing on his own instead of in a scrum.
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Post by Casprinela600 on Oct 27, 2018 4:39:01 GMT
he has done county shows before in big crowds and been fine, he has a radio next to his stable that is played quite loud and he rides in indoor schools alot all with no problem at all.. nothing phases him normally
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Post by gillwales on Oct 30, 2018 7:30:18 GMT
he has done county shows before in big crowds and been fine, he has a radio next to his stable that is played quite loud and he rides in indoor schools alot all with no problem at all.. nothing phases him normally This is going to take some time, there will be no overnight solution. The fact that he has been previously in large crowds and it didn't bother him and now it does makes me wonder if there might not be some other trigger, have you changed his food? I had a horse that freaked out when he was given a different brand of horse nut ( many moons ago! ). Was he previously shown at County level in hand and is now under saddle? Often the bigger shows tend to put youngsters in a quieter part of a show and the ridden classes where it is busier? Was it you who took him to county shows? If not you would not necessary know how he behaved. Is he a lot fitter than he was previously? Have you hunted him? If so he may well think he is now out hunting, they do enjoy it so! Sorry to ask so many questions without offering a solution, but until you nail why he has changed it will be more difficult to sort out. Hope this is food for thought. Good luck and please let us know how you get on. |
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Oct 30, 2018 8:32:22 GMT
You may well have a point with that one gillwales, some points to consider.
I used to breed Welsh Ds, which are often shown VERY hyped up in hand and I do know how difficult it can be to wind them down to sensible ridden mode after an IH career as a youngster.
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