Rockchick
Well-Known Member
Hi All
Bit of a random question but Im getting close to my wits end I have 1 more trick up my sleeve before I contemplate doing something I usually flatly refuse to do give up and avoid the issue
I have an 11 year old 14.3hh cob x mare who in most ways is easy-going and reliable (but in no way dope on rope), she can be spooky to ride but in most cases either ignoring her or a firm GET ON solves the scariness of the situation (such as when we come across axe wielding wildlife or the tigers lurking in the wheelie bins etc) I have to be careful though as if I get on her case too much in a spook situation it has the opposite effect and she gets worse.
I have owned her since 2005 and in that time we have come a long way in her development, however the 1 thing I havent been able to conquer is her overwhelming fear of donkeys!
At a yard I used to be on we had to go past one on one of our hacking routes and eventually after some work and back up of others I could get her to go past it albeit at quite a fast walk, snorting like a fire breathing dragon and feeling 17 hands high but she refrained from cantering past / spinning and backing into the ditch so that was that.
She hasnt seen a donkey since then, however I have now moved elsewhere and theres 2 living round the corner that are grazed (along with a horse) down a track from my stables we dont have to go past them to get anywhere but its a shortcut onto a nice hacking route so would like to be able to use it. I ventured down a couple of weeks or so ago 1 donkey was at the far end of the field and didnt even look up at us so that was fine, the horse didnt even realise we were there I dont think and the other donkey was just grazing quietly in the centre of the field cue the head up, 14.3hh becoming 17hh and the fire breathing impressions. I let her stand quietly and look before asking her to walk on which to be fair she did grudgingly . I thought wed conquered it until the donkey became vocal!!! I managed to block backwards movement and 360 spin and instead got forwards at a million miles an hour (not out of control) and it took some time for her to regain her composure. Shes exactly the same with another horse with her too and if were coming back from a ride and she hears it she freezes to the spot bless her
Shes NH trained so Im thinking of doing some ground work with her near the donkeys to see if that helps, other than that Im stuck (apart from asking if I can borrow one for a few days lol)
Bit of a random question but Im getting close to my wits end I have 1 more trick up my sleeve before I contemplate doing something I usually flatly refuse to do give up and avoid the issue
I have an 11 year old 14.3hh cob x mare who in most ways is easy-going and reliable (but in no way dope on rope), she can be spooky to ride but in most cases either ignoring her or a firm GET ON solves the scariness of the situation (such as when we come across axe wielding wildlife or the tigers lurking in the wheelie bins etc) I have to be careful though as if I get on her case too much in a spook situation it has the opposite effect and she gets worse.
I have owned her since 2005 and in that time we have come a long way in her development, however the 1 thing I havent been able to conquer is her overwhelming fear of donkeys!
At a yard I used to be on we had to go past one on one of our hacking routes and eventually after some work and back up of others I could get her to go past it albeit at quite a fast walk, snorting like a fire breathing dragon and feeling 17 hands high but she refrained from cantering past / spinning and backing into the ditch so that was that.
She hasnt seen a donkey since then, however I have now moved elsewhere and theres 2 living round the corner that are grazed (along with a horse) down a track from my stables we dont have to go past them to get anywhere but its a shortcut onto a nice hacking route so would like to be able to use it. I ventured down a couple of weeks or so ago 1 donkey was at the far end of the field and didnt even look up at us so that was fine, the horse didnt even realise we were there I dont think and the other donkey was just grazing quietly in the centre of the field cue the head up, 14.3hh becoming 17hh and the fire breathing impressions. I let her stand quietly and look before asking her to walk on which to be fair she did grudgingly . I thought wed conquered it until the donkey became vocal!!! I managed to block backwards movement and 360 spin and instead got forwards at a million miles an hour (not out of control) and it took some time for her to regain her composure. Shes exactly the same with another horse with her too and if were coming back from a ride and she hears it she freezes to the spot bless her
Shes NH trained so Im thinking of doing some ground work with her near the donkeys to see if that helps, other than that Im stuck (apart from asking if I can borrow one for a few days lol)