Calmer Help Ideas for a youngsters first ridden season.

[LouHardwick]

hi,

I have a 4 year old who is foot perfect on hacks and in the meange but at an event she loses the plot and her concetrations. I ride her through this and am making huge efforts to school her through it but I cannot recreate this scenario without taking her to an event or show where losts of other horses are.
She showed alot at 2 & 3 yr old classess so has seen all the commostion of shows etc- She really is very good most of the time- more like a 10 year old than a 4 year old but I need to tackle this head on as I want to show her this year and do some (tiddly) hunter trials.
Can anyone suggest a calmer that has worked for them
I am not looking for an easy fix but want to help her keep calm as it cannot be nice for her to feel this way.
I also dont want to lose my nerve- I do ride her through it but ...
Any ideas all welcome,I look forward to hearing your thoughts and expereinces!!

 

[AmyMay]

Have you thought about simply taking her weekly to some local shows - just to walk around and soak up the atmosphere, nothing else.

Personally I doubt that a calmer would be of any use in a situation like you describe - it sounds more to do with re-aquanting her with the sights, sounds and buzz of a show atmosphere.

 

[LouHardwick]

I think so, as I said I do school her through and take her to dressage events to hack around with others so will just keep doing more of the same I guess,

Thanks!

 

[AmyMay]

SeaView has a similar post in the Lounge - see what others are saying there.

 

[_daisy_]

ive given my 4yo Equilizer from the vet. It works great and just takes the edge off her so she isnt as much eyes on stalks as she can be.

 

[LouHardwick]

thanks for your ideas guys x

 

[Seahorse]

I'm in the same boat as you, my 5 year old has been shown in hand a lot as a 2 and 3 year old, and is fab at home but take him to a show and he's scared of everything.
I took him to some Dressage on saturday and gave him 1/2 a tube of Equimins Serenity which made him nice and tired but still spooking at everything

Can't win really!

 

[Emma27]

feel good 30 calmer science formula was gr8 for my T/B recommend it to any1!!

 

[PennyJ]

Had our 5 year old on Equilizer. When tub ran out I changed to Feelgood 30 science formula calming and I am finding it much more effective.

Can you not take her off to some riding club events as well, just to desensitize her in the meantime?

 

[Scarlett]

I use Temprelax by Naf a couple of days before and leading up to the event and then a dose in the morning of whatever we're doing.... took the edge off the two i had out on sat for their first dressage tests and meant they, and me, could enjoy it....

 

[LouHardwick]

I appreciate all your ideas and will certainly have a go with some-
Scarlett- thats just what I mean "and meant they, and me, could enjoy it.... " thats what I want - the horse happy and me enjoying.

 

[Scarlett]

Temprelax worked a treat for us in that situation, would deffo give it a try if thats what your after... I used it the thurs night, fri night and sat morning before the test....

Good luck!