A hunter frightened of gates - advice please!

C

CharlesMax

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I am a relatively new member of this forum and have enjoyed reading the various posts - some great tips - thanks everyone!

I posted a thread recently about my horse's fear of gates and received good advice - I thought he had an issue with narrow spaces but it is the movement of the gates that freaks him out. I have tried leading him up to the gates, letting him touch them with his nose before leading him through, etc. He has been frightened of the school gate since he arrived at the yard 2 months ago.
I have managed to lead/ride him through open gates but he still panics and rushes through. We are making some progress but the problem is when I try opening/closing gates whilst on him, he gets very anxious, spinning or bolting off. I bought him as an experienced hunter so I am suprised he has this issue, being perfect in every other way. He is about 18hh so it is already quite a task to bend down to the gates whilst worrying about his reaction.

Do you think I should just make peace with hopping off whenever I get to a gate? Has anyone else ever had an issue like this with strategies to overcome this?

Sorry, a bit of a dull post but some advice would be appreciated!
 
Could you try giving him his tea by the gate? I.e. put bucket on floor near gate, and whilst he's eating (and someone else is holding him) swing the gate back and forth? Do this for a while? This'd only work if he's food orientated though..

I would get off whilst you're trying to fix the problem.

Is it squeaky gates? If so could you record the noise and play it constantly whilst you're with him? Or is it the movement itself? And if its the movement, ahve you had his eyesight checked?

xxxx
 
flamehead said:
Could you try giving him his tea by the gate? I.e. put bucket on floor near gate, and whilst he's eating (and someone else is holding him) swing the gate back and forth? Do this for a while? This'd only work if he's food orientated though..

I would get off whilst you're trying to fix the problem.

Is it squeaky gates? If so could you record the noise and play it constantly whilst you're with him? Or is it the movement itself? And if its the movement, ahve you had his eyesight checked?

xxxx
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Thanks for the advice FH, It is the movement of the gates - I have never thought of having his eyes checked but that could be an option. Perhaps I should try sticking a few carrots to all the gates on our hacks - food is VERY important to him : )

Cx
 
Sounds like he's got caught up in one at some point and scared himself. I'd just keep practising till he gets bored and chilled with it and do it in-hand to start with. Practice in hand when you get himin and out of his field, stable etc have him so you can have him stood quietly in the middle, then back him up back out, bring him forwards again, stop, back him again, just till he stops rushing through and learns tojust sop, chill and listen to you...rather than take his own lead and panic rush through it.

An old hunter I used to ride used to be similar with gates out hacking, but he'd always get silly as he'd always eye them up to jump them instead! Couldn't be doing with stopping and opening and closing them. All the way up to it he'd just be locked on it and you just had to sit very very quiet as he'd just try and find any excuse or movement from my part as [in his view!] a command for him to jump it. LOL. He made for a interesting hack at least! ;)
 
could he just be concerned/confused because he's not used to opening them? either he's been a masters horse and had them done for him, or he's been in the middle of the field and they've been opened before he got there. It's also possible that he's more used to jumping gates/rails etc than opening them.

Is he ok to lead through gates as you open/shut them? if so then I'd be more certain that its one of the above, or that he's been caught by one swinging shut on him.

I'd just be patient, work on it slowly. Can you ride out with someone who can help with the gates? if so, try turning him to watch someone else doing them, then work up to you leaning to help pull them shut but not actually doing the work as such and then onto actually doing them. I had a horse who didn't like you leaning forwards and would panic. He got better and was soon great. Lots of patience, lots of rewards and he'll come round. Don't sweat about it, just stay calm. if you only react to the behaviour you want he'll get the message. If he bolts/panics etc pull him up calmly, turn him back and ask him to walk up to the gate, reward, lean out to touch the gate, reward, pull the gate half an inch, reward etc etc etc ad infinitum until he understands.
 
My daughter's horse does this too - he's had a bad experience with a gate closing on him and frightening him.

We've done a lot of work on the ground with him, bringing him up to the gate and asking him to stop nicely before leading him through. Don't let him rush - if he begins to rush, check him and begin again (it helps to also do some walk/halt work away from the gate as well so it is not just concentrated at the thing he fears). Praise and reward.

Every time you bring him through a gate, a stable door, a pasture fence, etc. ask him to stop nicely before going on. Be consistent.

I also agree that when you move to going through under saddle, try to get someone else to open and shut at first so you can simply work on going through nicely. And I would also suggest asking for a nice halt every time you enter or leave an arena as well. My daughter's horse is much better now and we are ready to begin working with him on opening the gate from his back.
 
He is fine with his field gate - no issues there, especially as he gets a treat when entering/exiting the field! Any other is always an issue, even when I lead him through them he panics and rushes.

Thanks for your tips - I agree that it will be a case of being patient and gentle until he gets bored of reacting. I am just keen to sort this out before the huntng season as I am not experienced enough to jump big gates just yet!

I will have to get used to climbing up 18hh of horse on hacks for now - LOL! At least he stands beautifully while I scramble up!!
 
baymareb said:
My daughter's horse does this too - he's had a bad experience with a gate closing on him and frightening him.

We've done a lot of work on the ground with him, bringing him up to the gate and asking him to stop nicely before leading him through. Don't let him rush - if he begins to rush, check him and begin again (it helps to also do some walk/halt work away from the gate as well so it is not just concentrated at the thing he fears). Praise and reward.

Every time you bring him through a gate, a stable door, a pasture fence, etc. ask him to stop nicely before going on. Be consistent.

I also agree that when you move to going through under saddle, try to get someone else to open and shut at first so you can simply work on going through nicely. And I would also suggest asking for a nice halt every time you enter or leave an arena as well. My daughter's horse is much better now and we are ready to begin working with him on opening the gate from his back.
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Thanks for the tips - I am pleased I am not the only one - I need to learn that Rome was not built in a day!!
 
Good luck, let us know how it goes :D Luckily all our lot in atm are good with gates, Tommy was thankgod...standing at 18.3hh!
[though generally have a post and rail jump for each gate there is round here, which works out handy harry if you can't be bothered with gates!]

Any photos at all? Purely an excuse to drool over a lovely rare big horse :p
 
Binky01 said:
Good luck, let us know how it goes :D Luckily all our lot in atm are good with gates, Tommy was thankgod...standing at 18.3hh!
[though generally have a post and rail jump for each gate there is round here, which works out handy harry if you can't be bothered with gates!]

Any photos at all? Purely an excuse to drool over a lovely rare big horse :p
Click to expand...

Cheers, I will do, some excellent advice from all of you! I think I may have a pic somewhere. How the hell do you post them??
 
picture.php


there you go Binky - finally worked it out!
 
Afraid not on the photo front!

If he's fine with his field gate I wouldnt think it was an eyesight thing. This is probably not the way to go, but could you give him a treat after every gate? I.e. when he's walked through it nicely, give treat, when he's not, no treat?
 
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