Advice pleaseee [:

G

Gingee

New User
Joined
5 September 2009
Messages
5
Visit site
I wasn't sure where to put this, but ah well.
I got my first pony about a month ago, so i guess im not really sure what to expect, but basically i dont feel like theres much bond there and im finding it really hard to trust him cuz he's been out of work for ages so he's really spooky (not his fault, just his last owner had no one to ride him or anything and she couldnt ride him herself so she gave him to me), hes 7 but acts like a 5 year old. He needs to hack out alone but everytime i take him out he just looks for things to spook at, turns round and gallops off in the other direction and i end up with no control. So i guess im looking for some advice as to how to trust him and get a better bond with him.
Sorry for the essay XD

**Edit: i school him for 20 minutes most days (he gets at least a day off though) but like to hack him out so he doesnt get bored, he's never jumped anything with someone on his back either so im not gonna jump him till he trusts me**
 
Not always, sometimes my mom will come with me and he's fine then, but sometimes i have to take him out on my own and like, you know when you see something and you think 'youre gonna spook at that now..' and that just makes it worse? lol, its like that ):
 
A month isn't a very long time to get to know a horse - with my current horse it took about 3 years before we really connected - and we still have our moments here and there. He is more than likely still settling into his new home and new routine - especially if he has gone from his old home not doing anything to a new one where he is being asked questions

There are some horses that you will just click with, and others that you will have to work to create the relationship. Try spending some time in the stable and on the ground with him - just grooming him and making a fuss. I will quite often just sit down in the stable with my girl, just to spend some more time with her, if she is being a bit off with me.

A 7 year old can still be quite immature in their head - is there any possibility of riding with someone for a few weeks, just til you get happy with each other a little more? If not, how about walking him out in hand, or long lining?

Do you have any opportunity to do any schooling with him - just to give you a chance to ride him with less stress of the invisible monsters that they find out hacking!
smile.gif


xx
 
At risk of being accused of being fluffy, do some basic stuff on the ground with him - so you can get to know each other a bit. Even just going for a walk with him in hand and just doodling about to start with.
 
Hiya! Don't be disheartened, it takes a long time to build trust and friendship.

I find that spending a lot of time jut hanging out on the ground, having fun and quiet times too with your horse really help to build a relationship. I do it a lot with my four.

I also think very carefully about everything I do and always try to avoid putting the horse in situations where his trust in me is shaken. As far as I can, I always work to show the horse that I am a good person to be around and will always show him that things are ok, if that makes sense. That kind of reassurance builds trust quickly and now, because of this I have been able to talk my four through every difficult situation we have faced together.

Its really worth taking the time
smile.gif
Good luck!
 
a quid says when you are out on your own - you are tense, squished into the "fatal crouch" position, shallow breathing, feeling sick and being a bit of a passenger.

Pretend you have your best mate with you - sing out lall de larh, lall de larh - talk to the horse - oh look at that scary thing - its only an old boot,, come on lad, urgh it smells - laugh out loud. Be stong he is looking for someone to trust.

You will be fine - think positive, kick on, and dont get into that "ohhhhh hes going home moment"
 
A month is not a long time to get to know a pony, ride in the school, hack out with company even if it is on the ground company and spend lots of time grooming and being with your pony in it's stable getting used to it and teaching it you are boss. Animals don't want to be leaders of the pack, they feel safer when they know you are in charge so work at that and take your time, with horses the saying Rome wasn't built in a day is only too true - good luck xx
 
I have to agree with an earlier poster and take the pressure off by doing away with the need to ride. Walking him out in hand will let him be a looky lou without you tensing up because you ar enot on his back. After a while he'll relax in his new surroundings and then you can start to hack a tiny bit ata time, extending your comfort zone from day to day and week to week. That's waht I did when my confidenc ewas knocked and it did wonders for me when my mare knocked my confidence out hacking (she can be a bit of a bully when she is on her own). I also borrowed a shetland so she wouldn't feel like she was on her own. But the shetland was such a little sod I spent all my time concentrating on her and not on my big cob mare - it was great! Give your pony a chance, the best partnerships don't always click immediatly.
 
Try to ride out in company for a while until you get used to each other. Then venture out on your own. lots of horses spook more when hacking alone. Mine is a plod in company but very forward out on his own. Good luck.
 
Gingee - I would take him out for a "mosey" in the lanes and simply walk with him and just make it clear to him that you enjoy his company and time together is not just about "doing things" it is sometimes just about "being together".

Find him interesting things to eat, look a what he likes and find more of it for him (it will also tell you a lot about his issues when you see the herbs he chooses).

You can't look a horse in the eye when you are riding him and that eye contact time and mutual communication time is key and critical for relationship development.

Please though - keep your hat on, use a 12 foot lead rope so you can handle a wee paddy safely - the short lead ropes are just not safe.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I agree with Gingerwitch and would say your pony DEFINITELY feels you're thinking he will spook - so he does.

[/ QUOTE ]


Agree withthis one...I was making my horse worse....it wasnt until I thought well...whats the worse that can happen...relaxed- and so did he.

Good luck...it can time to bond and know your horse.
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top