Advice, pony scared of doorways :(

[Palace]

Hi!
I'm new here and looking for a bit of advice
Basically my pony is scared of going through doorways... He is fine coming out of his stable, field and school but does not like going into them. He has banged his sides going into school and field and now rushes and spins to get through them. The accidents happened a year ago and he is still doing this.
We have tried loads of stuff with him like stopping outside the doorways and giving him a treat or starting with the doors shut and opening them slowly and sometimes they work for a while then he just goes back to normal. I am very worried about him hurting himself again and want to reassure him that it is OK but jsust can't get through to him. He gets very panicky sometimes and if it's really bad he slips a little on the concrete. He isn't 'trying it on' or being naughty he is genuinly scared so I don't want to try anything that would get him more stressed out, I just need to show him thay it is OK!
Any suggestions? (Can't really try another stable as they are all the same in an American barn type set-up, which also means we can't get a straight approach)
Many thanks, Palace

 

[branmash]

Hi I my elderly pony was like yours but not quite as nervous mine knocked his hip hip on the side of the stable when going in and he never forgot and was always a bit wary. The only thing i could suggest is put a small feed in his stable so he gets to know that something 'good' is going to happen and it might take his mind off it. I know it might not be practical all the time when you want to ride etc but it might help break the habit and give him confidence
hope this helps a bit good luck forgot to add take his headcollar off (when he gets used to a feed being there) so he can walk in the stable without feeling enclosed.

 

[Palace]

Hi
Thanks for the reply, it does sound like a good idea but I'm just worried he might try and launch himself over it on his way in if it took him by surprise? THough if I just put some carrots down, I don't suppose it would really matter if he stood on them
About the headcollar though we do unclip his lead rope as he does seem to go better if you're not hanging on to him.
With your pony did you go in infront of him? At the moment we just stay outside and let go, but I'd be interested to know how you got to go in front, if you did
Thanks for the suggestions

 

[the watcher]

If you are worried about the pony slipping then get a rubber mat to lay on the ground just outside the stable. The trick is to not be too controlling and let the pony work it out for himself, I usually go in the stable at the end of the lead rope and just wait, they come in eventually, sometimes quite quickly but will calm down after a few days of not being put under any pressure

 

[Tinypony]

Have you had his eyesight checked? Apart from that I'd say a long leadrope, stand back and let him go through in his own time. It's strange that he's OK going one way but not the other. Can you think about what is different about going into the stable, field and school as opposed to going out? Shade, so that he's stepping into or out of light maybe?

 

[branmash]

Hi good idea about the carrots, I used to put his feed in the bucket across the stable so he didnt trip over it etc. About the headcollar I used to take it off at the doorway and let him walk in as he was comfortable being that it was his own stable. If he was going into an unknown stable I would go in before him, hope that helps it will take a while for him to gain his confdence.

 

[Palace]

If you are worried about the pony slipping then get a rubber mat to lay on the ground just outside the stable. The trick is to not be too controlling and let the pony work it out for himself, I usually go in the stable at the end of the lead rope and just wait, they come in eventually, sometimes quite quickly but will calm down after a few days of not being put under any pressure

Already got a rubber mat has helped a lot. I do usually try to leave him to it and sometimes he goes in like a 'normal' horse and I think I've cracked it but then after a few days it's back to normal

Have you had his eyesight checked? Apart from that I'd say a long leadrope, stand back and let him go through in his own time. It's strange that he's OK going one way but not the other. Can you think about what is different about going into the stable, field and school as opposed to going out? Shade, so that he's stepping into or out of light maybe?

It is really strange that he will come out perfectly, there's not even a hint of worry or anything. #All I can think is that he hurt himself going in but surely he would just be scared of the doorway and wouldn't like coming out either. He's not scared of being in at all, very relaxed inside and associates it with food etc.

Hi good idea about the carrots, I used to put his feed in the bucket across the stable so he didnt trip over it etc. About the headcollar I used to take it off at the doorway and let him walk in as he was comfortable being that it was his own stable. If he was going into an unknown stable I would go in before him, hope that helps it will take a while for him to gain his confdence.

I'm not sure if he would stop outside and let me take the headcollar off? Generally I'll put him straight in from riding, just take his saddle off then put the reins over his head and let go.

If he does rush in, I'm unsure as to whether to praise him, because he has gone in but not how I would want him to. I usually do but then worry it might be reinforcing that it's ok to go in like that.

Thanks

 

[branmash]

Hi Is there anywhere outside your stable/barn that you could tie him up then take his tack off let him chill for abit then put him in the stable as he might be a bit not excited but pleased with his ride etc so hes nice and calm when he enters the stable.

 

[Abbeygale]

My gelding is like this - he only rushes in sometimes, very occasionally he will rush to come out - but very rarely.

I generally find the best thing to do with him is to either put his lead rope over his neck, or unclip it, and let him go in in his own time. I will very rarely go into the stable before him, as I don't want to get squashed if he does rush. I will also stand him outside his stable, turn him so that he is straight on to the doorway to prepare him to go in. He should have much less chance of banging himself again if you do that. I know its not easy to get a straight approach in a barn environment, but it would be worth trying.

(If any of that makes sense..... )

 

[Palace]

Hi Is there anywhere outside your stable/barn that you could tie him up then take his tack off let him chill for abit

I did go through a period of doing this and it did sometimes work. I've not done it in a while so make I'll give it another go, thanks.

I generally find the best thing to do with him is to either put his lead rope over his neck, or unclip it, and let him go in in his own time. I will very rarely go into the stable before him, as I don't want to get squashed if he does rush. I will also stand him outside his stable, turn him so that he is straight on to the doorway to prepare him to go in. He should have much less chance of banging himself again if you do that. I know its not easy to get a straight approach in a barn environment, but it would be worth trying.

(If any of that makes sense..... )

Yes it makes sense Do you try to stop him or slow him down to get him straight or do you find that any pressure on the headcollar makes him worse?

I've also tried to attach a photo of the set-up. Do you think if I tied him outside next doors stable then pushed his bum over towards the door, then unclipped his lead rope and pushed his head over it would work? Sorry about my picture ( )
Thanks