Bringing a horse back into work.

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katieg1986

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Hi All,

Some advice needed:

I have recently been asked to bring a 7 year old Anglo Arab back into work - he has not been ridden since last October. A little background - he was put out on loan at 4 just after being broken, the loan home pushed him too far too quickly and has scared him off - they were showjumping 3 times a week until he decided to just stop. When he was returned off loan, he was terrified of jumps and wouldn't be saddled. Since being home he has been grazing in a field with jumps (he walks over the poles but if he clips one he freaks out), he has got used to being saddled again and he goes out for 'walks' but has not been ridden and has serious trust issues.

I have been spending the last 2 weeks just spending time with him, grooming, walking and lunging and spending some time in the field with him - so he is still getting to know me. He's such a beautiful horse, and a lovely boy - he just needs the right treatment I think. Can anyone tell me the best way forward?

Thank you!
 
It sounds like it's going to be a long, slow process. In many ways this situation is harder than backing an unbroken horse.

I think that you will have to take baby steps and repeat and repeat the same thing until he is 100% happy. Only then can you move on, but you'll need to be ready to go back a step if needed.
 
Faracat said:
It sounds like it's going to be a long, slow process. In many ways this situation is harder than backing an unbroken horse.

I think that you will have to take baby steps and repeat and repeat the same thing until he is 100% happy. Only then can you move on, but you'll need to be ready to go back a step if needed.
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Yeah I was thinking the same thing, think I just keep on with the lunging under the saddle for a couple more weeks? I'm not nervous about trying to get on him, and failing - I'm worried it will scare him off!
 
Or do things to prepare him for when he is ready to be mounted eg lead him up to the mounting block and ask him to stand by it, count to ten, then lead him away and repeat... Then you can progress to standing on the block while he stands by it and so on. You don't need to just lunge, maybe walk him out in-hand down the roads tacked up (if you feel he's ready for this) or ride another horse and lead him (again if he would be sensible).
 
He's been walking down the road tacked up for a while, he's very good in traffic and not at all nappy. He tests me out, and shows off - but expected of a 7 year old, with someone relatively new.

Good idea with the mounting block, will try him out next week and see how it goes - thanks!
 
I too would ask if there was more to this. I'd double check back and saddle. As long as that gets the all clear start playing around with mounting block training, and leaning over. Don't be too worried if it takes a long time, they can take a fair while. We bought an anglo that was supposed to be unbroken, sadly someone had had a go and made a complete hash of it. It took us 7 months to sit on her, and 13 months before we cantered, and she is still sharp as. Please be careful, we went through rather a lot, and even as someone who rides problem horses for a living, I'm not convinced if I could turn back the clock that I would buy our mare again.
 
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