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Post by Guestless on Nov 6, 2009 21:48:36 GMT
I'm looking for some ideas to try with one of my youngsters in the ring. She's been backed for about 2 years now and is the nervous, slightly wild type. She's always had a tendency to freak (as in rear) first and ask questions later - thankfully this has been getting better as she has got used to different experiences and she's a bit calmer these days. Lately she's been waiting until asked to go in front of the judge and napping a bit (fairly standard babyish behaviour) but sometimes puts in a rear as well (had to leave the ring a fortnight ago after doing it). I'm a bit worried about her quickly learning that rearing at that point results in having to leave the ring so am looking for distraction techniques that others have found successful. Dealing with the rearing itself isn't an issue as the girl who is riding her is very experienced and not worried about them (and as I say, the rearing has reduced a great deal). We've tried lots of practising, at home and on a yard where we have lessons but her behaviour tends to be very good when you don't need it to be! I'm thinking of taking her to a show on Sunday at the same venue as the one where she had to leave the ring. Easiest thing to try so far is giving her a polo just before she's asked to leave the line up, but we could do with another couple of ideas in case that has no effect. Is it worth me trying Oxyshot? I'm not usually one for trying calmers for shows as I feel the best way to overcome problems is to take the time to face them, but maybe she needs something (She was on Mag Ox all summer with little or no effect) So over to you........
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Post by JessicaT on Nov 7, 2009 13:27:52 GMT
We had a pony that woulnt leave the line up and he learnt that rearing got him back in lorry quicker. We went to a few low key shows and explained the situation to organizers/judges and just kept on going in classes, stood at the end of the line and my mum came in and 'helped' in the moving off stage. Also could you not explain to judge and leave out the standing part and just to the show? Magic instant calmers work very well, though do take longer than stated to work.
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Post by amumwithapony on Nov 7, 2009 13:54:01 GMT
a friend of mine tried oxyshot on a naughty 2 year old colt she had, as he could be a bit of pratt in the lorry when we were in the ring with the others, and also when you first got him off. It wasnt magic, but it did seem to chill him out a little bit. Do you have friends that she could be rode with? if she is used to having lessons on a 1 to 1 basis, maybe see if there is a couple of class lesson nearby for you to take her to? that way she will get used to being in that sort of envioroment with other ponies moving in and and out and away from her and stuff. or maybe try a local R C just for some more experiance for her, that way it doesnt really matter if shes silly and plays up, you can persevere with her without holding a class up. arent they naughty ponies, butter wouldnt melt at home and as soon as you take them somewhere thaty are supposed to behave they show you up! Naughty girlie.
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Post by Guestless on Nov 7, 2009 20:41:40 GMT
Not taking her now, but thanks for the ideas guys. Friend who rides her actually teaches at the centre where she was misbehaving, so I think we should be able to take her up for a couple of group lessons - don't know why I didn't think of that actually! Sometimes the obvious answers are too easy!
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Milliesmum
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Post by Milliesmum on Nov 7, 2009 20:44:35 GMT
I don't know what facilities you have for hacking, but where I was we had access to a park with a circular track, and we would hack two together but in opposite directions, so they would meet then have to ride away from each other, there was no traffic so any naughtiness could be dealt with there and then.
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Post by Guestless on Nov 7, 2009 20:59:01 GMT
We've got it sorted out hacking now - she used to do it a LOT but rarely reacts now on a hack. I think it's just an experience thing and we will get through it as long as we don't push her too much.
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 8, 2009 6:42:45 GMT
My mare started rearing when she was 6 and had just moved home. She was obviously insecure and this was her way of napping.
Normally - I ride a horse on a loose rein until they are walked round and relaxed, but this is when she would do it, either in the school or on the start of a hack.
I had to get brave and turn my stick upside down and gave her a smack (only once) when she did it out hacking - luckily she did it when going down the hill, so I felt she couldnt come back over and I put a back protector on first.
After that, I only had to turn my stick upside down, as soon as she started to hesitate and she would go forward. Same in the school.
I also had her back all checked and some physio done, as any amount of tension in the spine/muscles will make them more nappy/tense etc. She never did it again and this evasion was totally forgotton after a month or so.
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Post by hacklover on Nov 8, 2009 21:49:49 GMT
I think an extra strong mint just before she goes out in front of the judge works wonders. We give one on the way in for a green horse, when we go out to do our show, and when the conformation is done. They know that they are getting a treat after so it sort of changes their mindset onto you. I dont know, but it works for us. good luck
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Post by gtr121 on Nov 8, 2009 22:06:13 GMT
Agree with Lovepink. People are getting too soft with their horses. If a horse deserves a crack of the whip then that is what it should get for its own good. It is rare that I have to hit a horse but if one puts me in danger it gets what it deserves for my own safety.
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Post by Guestless on Nov 9, 2009 0:17:39 GMT
Believe me, she's had a crack of the whip but I do feel when she does it in the ring that it is more of a stress thing than bad behaviour....and at that point her manners go out of the window! The extra strong mints are something else on our list hacklover
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 9, 2009 6:53:18 GMT
You certainly cant give a horse a good crack - in the middle of a dressage test. You would be penalized for excessive use of whip.
I too rarely EVER use a whip. I am very much a "leg into hand" rider and dont like force. However, as you said gtr121 - sometimes it is necessary and therefore must be done - but only in the proper circumstances.
I had to leave a dressage test 2 weeks ago, as my mare got scared of something and jammed on the breaks and wouldnt move. There was no way I was going to give her a smack in the middle of the test, so I retired, rode a few 10m circles before leaving (after all - had paid my money) and then left the arena.
Have spent the last two weeks hacking out the same young horse - totally on her own - so that she learns that when I say "go past the bloomin thing" - she knows she has to! She is getting the message! LOL
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Post by Guestless on Nov 9, 2009 11:11:31 GMT
Interesting lovepink! I'm afraid if I had been in your position, I would probably have given her a smack to make her go forward, and then retired! I do ride very intelligent natives though who very quickly learn how to avoid working if at all possible....unless whatever she was scared of was something worth being scared of and not just her being silly. Don't get me wrong, in no way do I over-use my whip and my idea of a crack is probably just a normal smack for many people! I've only ever done a few dressage tests but have to say if I got an "excessive use of whip" comment for one smack when a horse napped, I would probably feel rather narked and less inclined to do much more in the way of dressage. Surely if a horse misbehaves, you should act appropriately - even if it means your horse gets marked down for disobedience. I'm sure I can recall having a "well corrected by rider" comment on one sheet
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2009 12:17:09 GMT
I would just persevere at smaller shows- maybe try topspec calmer- takes a while to get into their system- it just chills them out enough for them to realise there is nothing to be scared of- I have used it in the past with good results on all different types, non of them have needed it for long.
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 9, 2009 12:44:14 GMT
Guestless, I had a schooling whip, which I had used behind the girth several times. However, this is a young Warmblood MARE , 2nd ever dressage test, first time in an indoor arena with boards. She was genuinely overcome by the whole environment, so as her trainer, I felt she was behaving in a typical baby fashion.
I also have enough experience with these mares to know, when they say NO like that, they mean NO and if I had pushed the point any further, it would have resulted in a full blown battle, which I was not prepared to do, in front of a judge and spectators.
She did not get away with anything, as I said, she was made to perform 3 x 10 m circles right next to this object of such a terrifying nature ( a full sizes painting of a horse, galloping towards you), so she left having done as she was asked. I felt this achieved more than finishing the test, without riding properly past the object.
I will be hiring this school soon, so that she can address her fear of this GIANT HORSE without the pressure of a judge and jury.
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Nov 9, 2009 13:53:33 GMT
I'm with lovepink, and think there is no point punishing them if they are frightened, you have to use your brain to make your point with them and work to get them over the fear.
When my daughter's young D gelding did his first indoor showing class, some nit freaked him out by rattling a can of pebbles at him as he went past the gallery. On his next occasion in an indoor school, which happened to be doing a dressage test, her refused point blank to go near the gallery - only time daughter has EVER had to retire from a test! But we asked if she could go back in in between classes to work with him and she led him in to have a chance to get used to it in hand. It took a bit of work but he no pays no attention to them at all, I don't think the outcome would have been the same if he had had a second bad experience by being punished for having a genuine reason to be scared.
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Post by Guestless on Nov 9, 2009 14:21:30 GMT
I'm with lovepink, and think there is no point punishing them if they are frightened, you have to use your brain to make your point with them and work to get them over the fear. I did say "unless whatever she was scared of was something worth being scared of and not just her being silly" and she's now explained the situation further and said she had already used her schooling whip a few times so that does put it in a different light to me. Anyway, the whole point of this thread was to find some methods of solving my spooky mares issues in the ring and hopefully I've got a few potential solutions to try now. Thanks.
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Post by essendy on Nov 17, 2009 17:58:42 GMT
would giving her a lump of bread just before going out to the Judge. Have used it on some of my fidgety ponies, and its worked a treat. Though have to be careful when giving it to Tod as he then stands and sucks his gums and pulls faces whilest he keeps the flavour in his mouth. Not the look I want him to give the Judge.
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