Desensitising Ideas? (Breaking)

[Orca]

I'm breaking our family pony, taking things slowly and it's going very well. She's happy with all tack (although I haven't yet found quite the right bit for her - another other one is in the post!). She lunges nicely and has just started long reining, which she has eased into well. I introduced her to ground poles this week, which she had some fun with. We've tried some Trec obstacles (she led a 19 year old pony over the tarp confidently ).

So, I'm looking for some more desensitising ideas. She spent the first six years of her life in a field and hasn't seen much of the world but had developed a fear of people. The field was next to a busy road though, so she is quite accustomed to traffic.

We visited a lorry on the yard today, which had it's engine running while tipping a load. She walked past within a foot of it several times quite happily, one of the lorry men kindly came to say hello and give her a fuss (hi vis on and rake in hand! This would have resulted in sheer panic a couple of months ago). She loved all of it and barely flinched when the air brakes went off as she was standing right in front of the lorry.

We make a point of going out to watch the tractors and trailers arrive with hay/ straw/ haylage and stay nearby while they offload/ reverse/ reload. etc. On visiting the big bale trailer, she tried to snaffle some hay, rather than look at the haylage bales, despite me flapping the plastic!

So, things are going well. She has the unflappable nature I thought might be there, underneath her initial fears and wariness. Because she is destined to be a family pony though, I'd like her to see as much as possible and I am wracking my brains to think of other things, instances and situations to get her accustomed to.

We've visited some sheep. After an initial snort (awmygodwhatISthey?!) and sniff, she tried to follow them into their field. I quite literally had to drag her away . She loves dogs, cats and isn't phased by birds flying out of the hedge in front of her. She is also fine with the farrier, vet, dentist, baths and loading.

She's had children as young as seven grooming her but is not keen for anyone to lead her but me (she plants - nothing silly), so that is something I'm working on. She's no longer whip shy and has overcome her (rational) fear of electric fencing.

What else can I add to her repertoire? Obviously, I won't cause her undue stress. She's cutely inquisitive about new things now, so the time is ripe to show her more

(n.b. I'm not of the flappy plastic bag on the end of a whip persuasion).

 

[YorksG]

Because we have a hotel at the top of the road, where they regularly have weddings, etc, we often get stray baloons arriving in the field, very useful when we have youngsters I would try umbella's bikes and skateboards, oh and pushchairs if possible ( I had a mare who found all of those quite terrifyig ) I am also thinking of buying a kite soon

 

[Orca]

Because we have a hotel at the top of the road, where they regularly have weddings, etc, we often get stray baloons arriving in the field, very useful when we have youngsters I would try umbella's bikes and skateboards, oh and pushchairs if possible ( I had a mare who found all of those quite terrifyig ) I am also thinking of buying a kite soon

Brilliant! Thank you. All everyday things we're likely to meet on a hack and most of which I have lying around

We have low flying helicopters, which I hated at first but which I now appreciate for the experience opportunity

 

[Pen]

My cob was terrified of cattle when I started long reining her and I suspect she wouldn't be too keen on pigs or donkeys. What about the sound of guns going off which could help with hearing fireworks.

 

[YorksG]

One of the other things we do, is move things round the yard. The younger Appy nearly had a melt down when I left the battery booster in the yard, so I moved it round the yard for a few days. We have two movable mounting blocks, so they randomly move across the yard The wheelbarrows get left in different places too. I often wonder how those yards where everything must stay in the same place manage when they go out and about and things have moved!

 

[Clare85]

Maybe try electric hedge cutters/lawnmower/leaf blower - it's amazing how many people don't turn those sorts of things off when you're hacking past!

 

[YorksG]

Maybe try electric hedge cutters/lawnmower/leaf blower - it's amazing how many people don't turn those sorts of things off when you're hacking past!

Try using electric drills, angle grinders etc around the yard while the horse(s) are in, we have a bombproof young cob, who has stood eating hay while I have been drilling on the roof to ensure that the wind didn't take the roof off! I doubt she is going to get upset when out, at people using power tools

 

[Orca]

My cob was terrified of cattle when I started long reining her and I suspect she wouldn't be too keen on pigs or donkeys. What about the sound of guns going off which could help with hearing fireworks.

I'm not sure where my nearest herds are but we do have alpacas on one of our hacks! I'll have to find where our nearest shoots are, that's a good one, thank you .

One of the other things we do, is move things round the yard. The younger Appy nearly had a melt down when I left the battery booster in the yard, so I moved it round the yard for a few days. We have two movable mounting blocks, so they randomly move across the yard The wheelbarrows get left in different places too. I often wonder how those yards where everything must stay in the same place manage when they go out and about and things have moved!

Yes! Things popping up in odd places is one that initially resulted in the snorts but which she's now accustomed to. Fortunately, we are on a livery yard and quite often random objects/ horses/ people will appear where they haven't been before. I had forgotten that we've resolved that one

 

[Orca]

Maybe try electric hedge cutters/lawnmower/leaf blower - it's amazing how many people don't turn those sorts of things off when you're hacking past!

Fantastic point. Thank you, these are definitely going on the list!

Try using electric drills, angle grinders etc around the yard while the horse(s) are in, we have a bombproof young cob, who has stood eating hay while I have been drilling on the roof to ensure that the wind didn't take the roof off! I doubt she is going to get upset when out, at people using power tools

Her stable is across from a workshop! Honestly, I'm so glad she's at this yard and has seen so much already that I hadn't even taken into account. The BANGs as wood pieces were discarded or loaded onto a van used to make her jump but she's oblivious to them now. They are much like gunshot, now I think of it.

 

[Leo Walker]

I've always found its not what they have seen, but their attitude when they see something they havent seen before. You cant prepare the for everything. Mine would hack down the M1 without a care in the world, but creatures in the hedge, or more terrifyingly, behind the hedge blow his mind! However, as he is a lovely steady boy in general his response is eyes on stalks and skittering past. He got a huge fright last weekend when something shot out of the hedge, but because hes generally a laid back chap, he shot forward for about 3 strides then came back and walked on with no issues

 

[Knockadoon]

I used to ride a cob who was terrified of cyclists. I don't know was it the lack of legs or what. Bizzare. He was totally chilled about lorries etc. I always check a new one with a 'cycle by'. Everyone thinks I'm mad.

 

[Celtic Fringe]

Don't think anyone has mentioned wheelie bins yet. Young cob finds then a bit worrying because sometimes there are lots along the road (bin day) and other none at all! Some also smell odd. We walk the wheelie bin to the bottom of the drive together sometimes and that seems fine. Bicycles were also puzzling to start with but he ignores them now - except trying to chase the ones that look especially interesting!

 

[Orca]

I've always found its not what they have seen, but their attitude when they see something they havent seen before. You cant prepare the for everything. Mine would hack down the M1 without a care in the world, but creatures in the hedge, or more terrifyingly, behind the hedge blow his mind! However, as he is a lovely steady boy in general his response is eyes on stalks and skittering past. He got a huge fright last weekend when something shot out of the hedge, but because hes generally a laid back chap, he shot forward for about 3 strides then came back and walked on with no issues

Ahh, he's a good lad! I completely agree wrt attitude mattering most. This is in part desensitising, in part trust building. The more we see which doesn't kill her, the more likely she is to trust me in the event of surprises (and vice versa - I get to gauge her general attitude ).

I used to ride a cob who was terrified of cyclists. I don't know was it the lack of legs or what. Bizzare. He was totally chilled about lorries etc. I always check a new one with a 'cycle by'. Everyone thinks I'm mad.

I agree with the cob! I'm pretty sure I always look both confused and surprised every time I see a cyclist . I shall add them to the list.

Don't think anyone has mentioned wheelie bins yet. Young cob finds then a bit worrying because sometimes there are lots along the road (bin day) and other none at all! Some also smell odd. We walk the wheelie bin to the bottom of the drive together sometimes and that seems fine. Bicycles were also puzzling to start with but he ignores them now - except trying to chase the ones that look especially interesting!

Ooh, that's a good one! Bin monsters are definitely worth visiting. ...what is it about cobs and chasing stuff?! That's pretty much what she did with the sheep and not in a nasty way but in a 'whatISthey?!' way.

 

[Leo Walker]

I used to ride a cob who was terrified of cyclists. I don't know was it the lack of legs or what. Bizzare. He was totally chilled about lorries etc. I always check a new one with a 'cycle by'. Everyone thinks I'm mad.

I've never had one who doesnt at least notice cyclists. Even me :lol: They come up behind so fast and so quietly!

Don't think anyone has mentioned wheelie bins yet. Young cob finds then a bit worrying because sometimes there are lots along the road (bin day) and other none at all! Some also smell odd. We walk the wheelie bin to the bottom of the drive together sometimes and that seems fine.

I have the opposite problem! Mine gets his hay in a wheelie bin and is therefore completely convinced that ALL wheelie bins contain food and should be investigated :lol: I have a brilliant video from when he was just backed. He is hacking out round the village for the second time, and weaves from side to side checking out ALL the wheelie bins, then the bin men come and start tipping the wheelie bins and I swear he has tears in his eyes! :lol:

 

[LD&S]

Some brilliant suggestions, the one that springs to mind that hasn't already been mentioned is mirrors or glass, my friend's bomb proof cob has a thing about phone boxes, she'll walk past but isn't keen, judging by her reaction to reflective signs we think it's the reflection that is the problem.

 

[Orca]

Some brilliant suggestions, the one that springs to mind that hasn't already been mentioned is mirrors or glass, my friend's bomb proof cob has a thing about phone boxes, she'll walk past but isn't keen, judging by her reaction to reflective signs we think it's the reflection that is the problem.

Listed! Thank you. I wouldn't have thought of that

 

[Dry Rot]

And why not plastic on a stick, pray?? Mine have to submit to it being waved, stroked, and brushed all over them as they et hard feed from a bowl. Plastic can be made to rustle and leap about in a most unpredictable and alarming way. Then, when they tolerate that, an old coat on a long stick above and dragged over them, to simulate a rider! Tried releasing waste bags filled from an air compressor in a stiff breeze in the field but the ponies simply chased them down and stamped on them! Trained several ponies to come to the sound of a shot (12 bore) because a purchaser was worried about shooting parties. That was actually quite easy.

 

[tankgirl1]

Don't think anyone has mentioned wheelie bins yet. Young cob finds then a bit worrying because sometimes there are lots along the road (bin day) and other none at all! Some also smell odd. We walk the wheelie bin to the bottom of the drive together sometimes and that seems fine. Bicycles were also puzzling to start with but he ignores them now - except trying to chase the ones that look especially interesting!

I used to take my girl out in hand before I backed her and she was terrified of wheelie bins... so I took her out on green bin day and lifted the lids.... the smell of freshly cut grass was too tempting and she couldn't help investigating! Obviously I never let her eat any cuttings!! We hacked out on a windy bin day a couple of weeks ago and she didn't bat an eyelid, not even at the ones that had blown over and were rattling in the wind! Proud parent moment lol

 

[tankgirl1]

I've also hung one of those garishly coloured fly door hole thingies in her stable door, and put those little windmill things in her stable, along with the usual tarps and plastic bags. Have spent ages getting her used to umbrellas too incl feeding her pony nuts out of an upturned open one. Theres not much she spooks at, and when she does its usually something like a squirrel and she just jumps on the spot and then carries on

 

[paddy555]

I'm not sure what is wrong with plastic either. If you live in silage bag area it is essential. I tie small strips of plastic around the yard so they are innundated with it blowing around. I lead a metal or plastic 5 gallon oil can around on a rope (like I would lead a dog) I walk down the road leading it so the horse is used to noise, wrap the rope around the horse's neck so it is dragging it. Throw the plastic can over the back of the horse so it lands on the ground on the off side and then pull it up back.

I take the wheelie bins for a walk down the road leading the horse. I put up a washing line across the yard, put clothes on and have the horse walk under the clothes so they are dragging on his back. I have also used a human sized dummy (overall stuffed with clothes) which I lay on his back lunging. Then I unbalance it so it falls off lunging. I want the horse to stop when it falls rather than run off in panic as that might be me falling off!

Also play football around the horse, kick the ball between his legs, throw it at him, use his sides to bounce the ball off. If you live in a tourist area you never know what kids will do next. Oh and kites. I have had several panics with zooming noisy kites. Oh and try and find the dustcarts when they are tipping bins in them. They raise the backs on the dust carts which makes a lots of noise as the rubbish clatters down and throw in boxes of jars etc. Our bins are emptied outside the horse's stables so it frightens them a bit the first few times.

 

[Dry Rot]

Oh, I forgot the ultimate desensitisation (though it probably won't do the OP much good!).

My farm is almost next door to an MOD weapons training area! :O

 

[mayangold]

I am pinching lots of brilliant ideas from this list! Love the image of taking your wheelie bin for a walk

 

[alliwantforchristmas]

what a brilliant thread ... I am going to take lots of ideas from here ... I will add bunting, tinsel, balloons blown up and released without having a knot tied in them so they whizz round and round in the air (good for desensitizing to birds that fly up out of hedges) and children running/yelling/playing etc.

 

[[100323]]

I have bought some sound effect CDs from ebay and Amazon. Everything from a pony trotting past to a rocket taking off, both the firework and non firework sorts. Car doors banging, cars starting, farmyard animals sirens. The one that really got my pony going was a horse neighing. I must get them out again.

 

[paddy555]

what a brilliant thread ... I am going to take lots of ideas from here ... I will add bunting, tinsel, balloons blown up and released without having a knot tied in them so they whizz round and round in the air (good for desensitizing to birds that fly up out of hedges) and children running/yelling/playing etc.

this reminded me of the best one (it was done by accident and I don't recommend it) but it will really cheer you up on Christmas day.

Go for ride with partner. Put a set of toy antlers on partners arab stallion and attach them to the headpiece so they don't fall off. When they slip slightly during the ride wait for partner to reach forward to right them and by mistake press the button in the middle. Laugh hugely when stallion runs off (partner and antlers still attached) with jingle bells playing on the antlers.

 

[mayangold]

I have bought some sound effect CDs from ebay and Amazon. Everything from a pony trotting past to a rocket taking off, both the firework and non firework sorts. Car doors banging, cars starting, farmyard animals sirens. The one that really got my pony going was a horse neighing. I must get them out again.

I didn't know you could get these! Off to have a look......

 

[Orca]

this reminded me of the best one (it was done by accident and I don't recommend it) but it will really cheer you up on Christmas day.

Go for ride with partner. Put a set of toy antlers on partners arab stallion and attach them to the headpiece so they don't fall off. When they slip slightly during the ride wait for partner to reach forward to right them and by mistake press the button in the middle. Laugh hugely when stallion runs off (partner and antlers still attached) with jingle bells playing on the antlers.

Paha! I did chuckle at this. I don't suppose you were using a go-pro at the time?

Thank you all for the brilliant ideas. I foresee much fun!

 

[Dry Rot]

I have bought some sound effect CDs from ebay and Amazon. Everything from a pony trotting past to a rocket taking off, both the firework and non firework sorts. Car doors banging, cars starting, farmyard animals sirens. The one that really got my pony going was a horse neighing. I must get them out again.

Nah! Radio 1 is worse than anything on a CD!

 

[JanetGeorge]

I used to ride a cob who was terrified of cyclists. I don't know was it the lack of legs or what. Bizzare. He was totally chilled about lorries etc. I always check a new one with a 'cycle by'. Everyone thinks I'm mad.

Cyclists are the ONLY things we have trouble with where youngsters are concerned. They're great with tractors (HUGE ones are bringing MORE food) and fine with cars. Quad bikes they know (they've damaged the seats of them and TERRIFIED some of the riders.) We're on a flight path for the Air Force so they don't mind choppers, jets, fighters etc - even when they're so low you can see the pilot picking his nose! IF the cyclist calls out and talks as he passes (which we ask them to do) then they're fine - but a silent person with wheels is terrifying. I'm going to have to get a ruddy bicycle!

 

[D66]

You can turn the pony out wearing an old headcollar with old rope attached. They teach themselves not to panic when they step on the rope.
Drag a lunge rope over the ponies back and let it fall down touching his legs.
Leave a hose pipe on the ground in the yard when handling the ponies so it becomes normal to step over it.