bike proofing

jensheff26

jensheff26

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what is the best way to get a pony used to bikes both motor and push, iv been to ride a cob today at the sanctuary she is gorgeous and i want to take her on as mine, but she was hit by a motorbike when she was younger(shes only 6) and is now terrified of them she stands trembling then bolts out of fear. i was thinking of putting a push bike outside her field to let her get used to it then gradually move it in to field, i will have to find a happy medium with her as the woods i ride in there is bikers galore please help
 
is only seems to be bikes she will happily ride out in traffic but is just dangerous when bikes are around
 
Yes, you are correct. Slowly trying to desensitise her is the only way. Leaving the bike in her field for a few days. Then try having the bike in sight when she has a feed, and every day bringing it a little closer to her feed bowl. After a couple of weeks of doing this, and once she has got to know you and gained your trust you could walk around her field pushing the bike, (keeping your distance at first) and just continue slowly. You want to aim to be able to go for a hack with a friend accompanying you on the bike. This may take a few months, but repetitive and continual exposure should eventually do it.

A lot of horses spook when bikes come up silently from behind them, so when you have got her used to bikes at home, you'll probably still have to be extra vigilant when you are out, and if bikes are coming up from behind, talk to the riders or show her so they don't take her by surprise.
 
I have the problem of push bikes when out hacking. He has bolted with me down the road when two came up behind him. I am going to get someone to ride their bike in the menage so he gets used to them and I have a safer environment
 
There's a really nice article in Horse this month about de-sensitising to bikes, def worth a read.
Not sure I'd leave a bike in her field in case she gets a leg caught in it while investigating, but you could get a friend to wheel a bike around while you're in a safe place (field with the gate shut or the school) and you feed her and move on from there.
For motorbikes, you need a sympathetic friend who owns one and is prepared to spend a bit of time hleping you. My old hunter was never very good with bikes, but at least yours is younger so you can have a go!

You can definitely desensitise them - a toddler running around cost my OH a show class with our mare when we first had her as she spooked and bolted, but when we moved to a yard where their little daughter was always around, the mare soon became toddler proof, and now they could run between her legs in the ring and she'd be fine :)
 
ironhorse said:
There's a really nice article in Horse this month about de-sensitising to bikes, def worth a read.
Not sure I'd leave a bike in her field in case she gets a leg caught in it while investigating, but you could get a friend to wheel a bike around while you're in a safe place (field with the gate shut or the school) and you feed her and move on from there.
For motorbikes, you need a sympathetic friend who owns one and is prepared to spend a bit of time hleping you. My old hunter was never very good with bikes, but at least yours is younger so you can have a go!

You can definitely desensitise them - a toddler running around cost my OH a show class with our mare when we first had her as she spooked and bolted, but when we moved to a yard where their little daughter was always around, the mare soon became toddler proof, and now they could run between her legs in the ring and she'd be fine :)
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Might be worth contacting your local Trail Riders Fellowship Group (www.trf.org.uk). Some members are horse riders as well as motorcyclists, and many groups are used to running bikes among the horses at horse trials end endurance events.
 
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