Desensitising (sp) spooky horse to rider's weight?

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saddlesore

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I own a 5yo who in typical youngster style can switch from 'good boy' to 'nutcase' in a matter of seconds lol.

What seems to be our biggest problem is getting him to accept the rider shifting their weight. For example, leaning forward to check girth etc. He will shoot off and bronc if you land akwardly over a jump, or if he spooks and your weight shifts he will also react in this way
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Any ideas to help him get past this? It is becoming a bit of an issue! (he is an uptight and worried type)
 
My mare is also a uptight worried sort - and I think time and patience really.

She has finally come good - she is 12 so a fair bit older than you boy - but was pushed around a lot, as she was labelled as a problem horse, where in fact she was just worried about what was going on.

She will still sometimes look a bit worried at me if I suddenly move in the saddle, but I can at least move around in the saddle if I need to now!

Does he get better as the ride carries on? If so have you tried rescue remedy just to settle his worriedness when you first get on?

xx
 
i had a horse like this, i found hacking in company of a very calm experienced horse helped her accept my wheight. also when my horse intended to take off, i turned her in a very tight circle with one v v short rein untill she calmed down. it used to be sumtimes 10 circles, now i hardly ever have to do it, if ever.
she is 6yo was labelled a problem. is now a right cracker! and relaxed and happy 99% of time
 
Thanks guys
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I didn't back him. He was broken and ridden away at the dealers yard and I got him just after. He came with a million and one issues to be honest, VERY headshy, scared of whips (I don't use one, but if he sees one), wouldn't catch etc etc etc. We are slowly but surely working out way through these issues but he throws me a curveball now and again! It is totaly sporadic when he does it (more often in the school!) and he can go days without doing it and then he pi$$es off seemingly out of nowhere. He isn't spooky as such but very reactionary if that makes sense and doesn't cope well with 'surprises'.
*prepares to be shot down* BUT I spoke to an AC about his issues and she said he has serious baggage due to being very roughly started..........
 
That explains alot.
What is he like with you moving your arms?
We have had 2 horses come to us to be re backed as the first time wasn't done properly.
One little mare was just like your boy, she would bolt if you moved in the saddle or if you moved your arms etc.
We slowly re backed her, doing alot of leaning on, moving arms gently, moving the body weight very slightly. She improved a great deal but you could never completely let your guard down.
 
Very interesting you hear you say that about moving arms. First time I took him out a hack, a car passed and I raised my hand to thank the driver - cue horse cantering away with me along the road! I did a lot of desenstising work with this and it has improved a lot, but he can still be tense about it. He is worse if he is already tense if that makes sense - i.e. if he has become unsettled out hacking and you do hand signals his back end will come right under him, although he seems to be able to contain himself a bit better now.
Did your horse have similar issues? What did you do?
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Yes but it might be worth another check I guess. The only reason I don't think its pain related is it only happens with 'large' movements in the saddle, esp if you lose your balance. Its as though it really scares him and he wants to get away from you asap! You can get back on afterwards and can be fine?
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I could be wrong but if it was pain related I would have expected it to be more consistent?
 
Yes the little mare was terrified if you moved your arms.
Just keep doing what you are doing. Move your weight very slightly, praising no reaction, until you can move forward to do your girth etc without him reacting. It will take along time but it sounds like you have come along way already so keep up the good work.

Do you ride with a neck strap? If you feel him getting tense, tuck a finger under it and it will help you to keep your balance and not move so much.

Good luck.
 
That's great thanks - sometimes I feel as if he's the only one with these issues but of course he's not and its really good to know that similar horses have come through this process and 'improved'. I'll keep plugging away
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