Following on... Re-backing

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loverly

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Please no crit - I came very close to never using this forum again!

So the mare is FINE. Been thoroughly checked over by the relevant professionals and given the all clear to start re/backing.

As advised by members on here I got experienced help. The mare has stayed with me as she has trust issues and will only trust me - e.g. YM struggles to catch her in the stable or field.

She is fab to long rein, lunge and lead off another horse. Not so long a go I leant over her and quickly noticed if you touched her off side shed panic, put her back up and shoot forwards. This does NOT happen when your on the ground and touch her.

Seeked advice from an experienced person she recommended filling jeans or similar with straw to act like legs. Put her on the lunge and que bucking. Next day I did the same and she did not buck once, only stopped every couple of steps in trot.

After this I gave her a few days off. Lady who.helps has damaged her hip and therefore cannot come out to help.for quite a while. She gave me instructions to long rein with legs on - instead used old wellies. She was good, but for the first half her back was up and shed shoot forward - easily stopping on voice and rein command.

Would you continue doing this until mare.is happy with legs on? If not, what would you do?

When she is happy with legs on her side or similar, how would you go about sitting on her?

Sorry this is probably rather long and boring! Also forgot to add- nothing was found to be causing pain on her sides.
 
Have you thought about just sitting on her? Get someone to hold her and just do it. I did this with my 3 yo - lots of treats given by sister holding him and he actually didn't give a hoot! I am guessing when you lunge she has the saddle on? I think sometimes you just have to get on and do it as if it's something just normal unless you are really concerned she'll flip!

I think as long as you have someone competent holding her and giving her some nice treats it shouldn't be a problem. Don't put your feet in the stirrups (in case you do need tp get off quick) and don't ask her to move, just get on and off a few times, give her some rewards and get off. Do this a until you feel she's comfortable with it and then ask for a few steps. Just remember a lot of praise for good responses and don't react to any nerves from her.
 
I wouldn't be doing it on the lunge I'd be leaning against her in the stable and leaning over from both sides. If she keeps shooting forward and scaring herself it won't improve. And I wouldn't use a dummy on that horse incidentally.

My mare hates me touching her sides in the ground yet she is fine under saddle so don't worry too much.

I wouldn't have remembered the horse and incident etc had you not said the first bit by the way, best forgotten now ;)
 
What does she do when you lie over her in the stable. Without mentioning the war this is either due to the other incident or the cause of the other incident.

I don't think you should get on her until you are utterly certain she is ready.
 
Make a fake arm and rub her off side while you're on the near side? Or does she not mind that? Carry on with the dummy sounds like there's progress. Sounds like she needs lots of positive experiences, hopefully the more you do this stuff the more she's trusting you. Don't get on until you feel ready, not when someone else says you're ready. Listen to your gut :)
 
Ive had a couple people see her and one has yet to return, another wanted her on schooling livery which I believe would just set her back as she has trust issues and the other who I highly respect is injured and can't come and asess her until a few weeks time. They have all given different views on what I should do/be doing but I would like to get as many ideas as I can so if one doesn't work I have plenty of backups!

Leaning over and touching her sides results it her back going up and shooting forwards a few steps then relaxes. I cannot do this in the stable as there are two rather low beams.

Ah yes sought is the right word! Im starting to think my horsey gap year was not the best idea!! Uni is going to love my own language!
 
ME222 said:
I havnt read any other threads from you op but it sounds like the hho mafia have already broken your spirit! Just take a deep breath and go and talk to some real people about your problem ir an instructor or trusted friend. This is the kind of problem you need proper help with. Maybe a professional? Keep the faith and take everything from here with a heap of salt :D


Ps Is "seeked" a real word :D
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This seems hugely sensible advice - I don't know the back story - but expert advice seems the key. What ever you use to try and stimulate a rider, the real thing will be much different from a dummy. Also, your horse does need to become comfortable with several (competant) people handling her / him and not just you - they do get attached to their comfort zone (and whilst I might not be able to clip.......see my previous post) I have handled and broken many horse over the years - and I have quickly recognised those that I can't do on my own........and it does become a mighty issue, if you do try to tackle it on your own. There are some really good people out there who can deal with this - and will inevitably be worth the money, for peace of mind and a sound education and ultimately your own sanity.
 
I had a pony in for backing once that the owners had compeltely messed up (and not told me!). First time I sat on him, he went absolutely mental.
Found out it was because they had made a hash of it.
I made trousers like you did but filled with sand so they were heavier, lots of bucking and back lifting as you got. I kept doing it for about 15 minutes a day for a week. When he was happy with that I leant over him gently with someone holding, when he was happy with that I touched his offside where my leg would go if I was riding.
When he was happy with that I layed over very still and had someone walk him around, again back lifted and bucked but didnt stop until he realised he wasnt going to be hurt.
After this I got them to lead him walking round and I would touch where my legs would go again.
Once happy with this, backing him was pretty easy!!
 
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