Help needed... spooky owner. I don't know what to do.

Alchol without a doubt and don't restrict caFFEINE OR CHOCOLATE as this will make the situation far worse.If you want to take her to a show though, check the banned substances list first.
 
How about catching one for her and letting her pull the legs and wings off one by one? She will then realise they are quite harmless creatures really and that she is in charge of them not the other way round.
 
Dear Gypsum,

regarding the clicker training, my Carrot Lady is learning that positive reinforcement will only work so long as I want my reinforcer (very yummy!) more than I want to not do whatever I am being asked to do. It's my choice! So in the case of your lady, you need to find a reinforcer that she wants more than she wants to stay away from the long-leg-non-biting-supermidges. I have learned that the black things with wheels on aren't too bad if there are treats on offer, and I have learned to touch all sorts of odd things with my nose that I found spooky at first...so there is probably hope. I suggest you teach her to target something in the stable, and reinforce her continuously for staying by her target. Perhaps a traffic cone would be a good target. I'm not sure what Lagavulin is, is it like Laphroiag? I'm pretty sure my Carrot Lady likes that as a reinforcer.

Carrots,
The Spooky Pony
 
I would keep her sedated during the daytime (possibly with a large Pimms at breakfast time) and only take her out at night when it is fully dark. If you need to light the way half a dozen glow worms should do the trick unless of course she has a phobia about those. If all else fails give her to a petting zoo - a few weeks in there and the crane flies will seem like a 'walk in the park'.
 
Are you working her hard enough? Humans were once bred to be able to do hard physical work for up to 18 hours a day every day. A little bit of poo picking should not be enough to wear them out even if she does get a bit sweaty. Your human probably has too much time on her hands and is therefore able to think too much about spooky things. If you tired her out more she wouldn't have the energy to spook. You need to work her much harder. Start off by giving her a little walking exercise by pretending to be lame on the furthest point from home on a ride so she has to lead you back. Making her run round the field trying to catch you when she wants to fetch you in is good exercise for her too.
 
Gloi said:
Are you working her hard enough? Humans were once bred to be able to do hard physical work for up to 18 hours a day every day. A little bit of poo picking should not be enough to wear them out even if she does get a bit sweaty. Your human probably has too much time on her hands and is therefore able to think too much about spooky things. If you tired her out more she wouldn't have the energy to spook. You need to work her much harder. Start off by giving her a little walking exercise by pretending to be lame on the furthest point from home on a ride so she has to lead you back. Making her run round the field trying to catch you when she wants to fetch you in is good exercise for her too.
Click to expand...

Also make sure you spread your poos around the field well, preferably in all 4 corners and in the long knotty grass so they are hard to pick up.
If she doesn't look like she has worked hard enough knock the wheelbarrow over.
 
Gypsum, def desentising as my one hates caterpillars, lucky there isn't many about at the moment, and we have got her as near as 200 yards of one with out freaking out, has taken nearly 30 years, but she is improving year by year. A little tipple works wonders as a reward. Best of luck.
 
The two horses who live in the field next to my owner's stable have reported that she was seen taking laundry off the line on her deck this evening (an amazing accomplishment in and of itself -- the male she lives with is clearly having some positive effects on her behaviour) but before removing each item of clothing from the washing line, she battered it with a dressage whip, apparently with the view that any craneflies or other critters hiding in the clothes would quickly scarper. The neighbours think she's crazy.
 
Is there any improvement OP? I would second the reward training as it worked very well for me and I can almost guarantee results where chocolate is used. :p

Another route to explore is hypnosis where I believe the power of suggestion is combined with sleep. I suggest a swift blow to the head followed by whispering in the ear "I will not spook at crane flies", I will not spook at crane flies", "I will not spook at crane flies"..........

Let us know how you get on :cool:

Harry P x
 
If things don't improve at least they will be seasonal; one fairly short season a year won't be too bad and Reguchoc or Regulagavulin may help.

My old girl on the other hand just doesn't move as well these days. I am thinking of loaning her out and taking on a youngster; something a bit finer and sharper.
It's a pity as she is excellent on the ground; knows where all my tickly spots are and will sometimes give treats, though she will put these out of reach.
 
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This is a downright dangerous human and if your not careful she will injure you! I would be furious that the dealer didn't tell you about this. Name and shame!

Some good suggestions here but I would also add, have you thought about hobbles? This could stop the bolting. If it doesn't work I am afraid I agree with those who say she should be shot!
Imagine how you would feel if she reacted like this in front of a foal? The experience could seriously endanger a foal.

Oh, on another note, make sure you have a control device on her head, a gimp mask maybe.
 
There is no hope for your human I am afraid, there are many of them that have an irrational fear of small insects, weird but true. My human has a fear of cows and then she tries to blame me when I try to get her as far away from them as quickly as I can. I think I am being kind but then tells everyone I am afraid of cows!! As if. Good luck in training your human, Celt.
 
A cranefly flew into my stall the other day. She didn't run out of the stall screaming; she just threw handfuls of shavings at it until it flew away. I thought this was an improvement.

That's funny, Crugeran Celt. I have tried the same thing! My human is also spooked by cows, especially the ones that come bounding up to the fence to say hi, so I try to get her away from them as fast as possible. Then I get the blame for being afraid of cows!

Melbiswas, that is a shame about your human being knackered. Be careful loaning, however. I have heard horror stories about horses who loaned their humans out because the human needed an easier job, and loaner regularly reared, bucked, took off, and put the human on the deck. When the human went back to the original horse, they were quite scared and needed retraining.
 
Jeez people, you are so quick to recommend fixing an issue. Look humans are all unique, and to be totally honest if this one is good in other aspects, does she look after your every need, for instance? If she is sound, good to be around then just live with her quirks, not everything needs fixing.
 
Obviously a very sensitive sole. If you have ruled out any medical issues then I think you just have to accept that's how life is going to be LOL
 
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