Emotionally Damaged Cob - what would you do?

[ycbm]

I think that reaction after a show is because they've "survived" and have just a bit more trust in you after it. The more things you can do together that build that sort of reaction, the better. Don't give up - I've thought about it many times with my poor chap, but he has come right and continues to improve even after all these years.

I've always taken nervous horses out as soon as I had them loading reliably. I've found it usually has a calming effect. Almost as if you show them just how much world there is out there to get worried about, so they realise there's no point in sweating the small stuff at home.

 

[tobiano1984]

I think that reaction after a show is because they've "survived" and have just a bit more trust in you after it. The more things you can do together that build that sort of reaction, the better. Don't give up - I've thought about it many times with my poor chap, but he has come right and continues to improve even after all these years.

Yes maybe - last time he evented he was great in dressage warm up and arena, awful in the SJ warm up and very tense in arena, nearly didn't take him XC because I thought he wasn't up to it, then flew round XC like it was his favourite thing ever and was so chirpy and pleased with himself afterwards. Almost like a confidence boost?!

 

[Alibear]

Really pleased to see your update and I really think he's lucky to have you and you're the best place for him to be. On the confidence front, with human anxiety/panic attacks if you avoid things that make you panic, often you'll start to panic a new less extreme things that didn't use to worry you. That vicious cycle continues until you're stuck in the house afraid to go out at all. So it's better to still go out and try things but just in small steps to stretch your confidence without pushing it so far you get an attack. I know horses aren't human but as this is emotional I can see it working the same way for them. Good luck.