help with horse - long sorry

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Louiser92

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Hi,

Just got a new horse, and cant ride as to get into the school, i have to cross a small bridge. I got over the first time, but on the way back she spooked herself and wont go anywhere near it since.
I have tried feeding her on it, leading other horses over, riding over, using lunge line rather than lead rope. i havent been rushing her, and spent most of the day with her yesterday, but unlike other horses i just havent felt any sense of improvement in that time.

The problem with the bridge is that it is metal, (like a cattle grid, in the design, but much much smaller gaps and safe), it is very strong. On top of the metal there is a thick wooden surface, which means the horses dont have to walk over the metal. The problem seems to be that the wooden surface seems to sink slightly as horse steps on (not very much at all) and i could pretty much encourage her to put one foot on, but as soon as she felt the surface, she backed up completely again.

A few more ideas i have had is to put a layer of straw over the bridge from her bed, and putting barriers up so that she has to go forewards or backwards, not sideways.

any way would really appreciate some more ideas, or general trust building exercises, as i am itching to get on and ride!

Thanks for reading,
xxx
 
Clicker training works really well with getting horses over fear responses. It will sound similar to just feeding, but it creates a stronger link between the behaviour and the reward and is more likely to work.

Get yourself a really generous amount of treats cut up small (small pieces of carrot, pony nuts (give 1-2 at a time), polos, small pieces of apple, etc). Start somewhere away from the bridge, say 'walk on' (which I assume she knows as a command) and as soon as she takes one step, click and treat her (you can buy a clicker for a pound at any pet store, failing that use anything that makes the same consistent sound). Repeat, making sure you click for each step. Taker to another place (still away from the bridge) and repeat, keep at it. Once you have done this a few times in different places (you can't over do it, so keep going), head towards the bridge. Reward for any step towards the bridge. You may not get her on the bridge the first day but keep percevering.

When she does offer a step on the bridge, click and give her a jackpot of treats. If she then pulls her leg back that is fine. Ask her to 'walk on' again and reward for one step. If all she does is one step, that is fine. If she keeps pulling her leg back, don't worry. Allow her to do this, ask her again and reward her for placing her foot on the bridge - give her time to figure it out.

Repeat, this may take 2-3 days depending on how scared she is. If at any point she leaves her foot on the bridge give her a jackpot of treats.

It may take a day or it may take a week to get her on there, but she will do it! Good luck!
 
QR; I would probably handle this similar to something along the lines of how Richard Maxwell would, and when I say this, I mean read his books or do some research on this methods (PM me if you want) and treat this case similar as if you couldn't load your horse, as it's effectively the same procedure. i.e wouldn't worry too much about the bridge per se, but her listening to you as a first port of call as this is really a leading issue, the bridge is not the main issue here, it's her not following you were you want her to go, so to speak.. ! If that makes any sense at all.
 
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