Gas Guns

[lordleon]

Advice needed please. My 10 year old Arab x cob had a fright when we were out driving. A gas gun went off twice very close to us and he legged it up a hill only for the gun to go off again. He was agitated but we coped but on the next drive out another gun went off, not very close and he bolted across a field. It took the two of us to pull him back onto the track. I trotted him a couple of tracks then asked him to walk and we got back safely. I thought he would be ok but since then for the next 3 drives he has been so nervous, fit to run at anything and also having hissy fits wanting to go back to the yard. I have rested him from driving for 3 weeks. I have started a 'back to basics' routine, just 10 minutes in hand, basic commands and 2 sessions with his driving bridle on long reins. he has been compliant whilst working but otherwise he is a nervous wreck and displaying classic separation anxiety when he cannot see his field mate. Prior to this trauma he was working so well, brave, coping with all sorts of hazards and he was a pleasure to drive and we trusted each other. Will I ever get my brave boy back? Should I turn him away until next year? He is intelligent so could get bored. Should I continue with ground work? any advice eagerly awaited.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Apart from recommending a very stiff gin after those bolting experiences I can only think he needs to be sympathetically desensitised to sudden, loud noises in a safe environment with you giving him loads of reassurance and praise and maybe buy him some of those ears that muffle noise.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Advice needed please. My 10 year old Arab x cob had a fright when we were out driving. A gas gun went off twice very close to us and he legged it up a hill only for the gun to go off again. He was agitated but we coped but on the next drive out another gun went off, not very close and he bolted across a field. It took the two of us to pull him back onto the track. I trotted him a couple of tracks then asked him to walk and we got back safely. I thought he would be ok but since then for the next 3 drives he has been so nervous, fit to run at anything and also having hissy fits wanting to go back to the yard. I have rested him from driving for 3 weeks. I have started a 'back to basics' routine, just 10 minutes in hand, basic commands and 2 sessions with his driving bridle on long reins. he has been compliant whilst working but otherwise he is a nervous wreck and displaying classic separation anxiety when he cannot see his field mate. Prior to this trauma he was working so well, brave, coping with all sorts of hazards and he was a pleasure to drive and we trusted each other. Will I ever get my brave boy back? Should I turn him away until next year? He is intelligent so could get bored. Should I continue with ground work? any advice eagerly awaited.

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