Horse psychology advice needed!

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opgr1234

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Hi, wondering if anyone has has a similar problem or might have any advice.

I have an 8yr old who has always been a bit funny about going out on his own, although is better with the more work he has. I was hacking out on my own at the end of last yr going through a wooded area that we must ride through in order to get anywhere from the yard (other way is a dual carriageway). A man was walking the other way with 3 big dogs but before my horse had a chance to see him properly, the man moved into the bushes to get off the track and give us room to pass. After that my horse was convinced that this thing was a monster and panicked. I tried to get the man to come out again so he could see him but he was still quite far away and couldnt hear me. After that my horse was having none of it and was rearing and spinning, in the end i took him out of the woods so the guy could come past in an open space.
Since then we cant get through the woods alone. Hacking out with others he is fine, doesnt bat an eyelid. And I have tried taking a lunge line and bag of nuts to get of and lead him through. This has had some success but I dont like getting off him willingly as if he rears i am little use on the floor!
Yesterday i tried alone again with someone following 5 mins behind in case i got stuck, which i did. After that he was through fine with company.
Im worried that the longer i leave it, the worse it will become, but at the same time I dont want to keep having these bad experiences and freaking him out more...

Anyone had anything similar?!
 
Are you saying he is fine if you lead him past? If so, what's wrong with walking him out for a bit like a big dog, until you feel he is relaxed being led around in the woods, then going back to riding?
Or, you could ride him out in company many times, then try again alone.
Normally the answer to this sort of worry is to put in some miles.
 
He can be better when being lead, with much coaxing and bribery! But on occaision he has gone right up and at 17hh I can't hold on. After that he will just gallop home. As the dual carriageway is at the other end of the lane I dread to think what might happen if he keeps going past the yard. Kinda safer to stay on board! Rock and a hard place!
 
I try my hardest to not have to bring him back, even if it means waiting for a lead. But i have had to a couple of times as he just gets too much. Bad for his nerves, I know.. Thats why i've been putting off trying as much as I'd like. If its getting late or no one else is around, i dont want to put myself in the position where i have to turn around.
 
Like Tinypony I was going to suggest walking him out or riding out in company for a while and maybe gradually move him from back of group to front. Once he's ok with that, ask the others to really hang back so he's almost on his own then progress to riding on his own. If it continues to be a problem maybe ride him to the woods, get off and walk him through.

I think it's just time and patience, other option is let someone else try, you may not feel nervous but he could be picking up on your feelings. Other option is have somone walk on foot with you 2 or 3 times.
 
He happily goes in front if he can hear others behind him. Regardless of where he is, if the others get too far behind he will plant himself til they catch up... But will definately try having someone on foot. May be having to buy some chocolates for someone on the yard in return!
 
opgr1234 said:
He happily goes in front if he can hear others behind him. Regardless of where he is, if the others get too far behind he will plant himself til they catch up... But will definately try having someone on foot. May be having to buy some chocolates for someone on the yard in return!
Click to expand...

Let us know how you get on, it worked for me :)
 
I'd be tempted to have someone on the ground, whilst you ride. That way they can help lead you on if you get stuck, and just provide a little reassurance for both of you. Keep going back and forth past the place it is where he usually rears, so that he learns that it's OK, and he associates the place as 'safe' rather than 'the scary place'!

Eventually your helper can drop back little by little, until the horse is going by himself. As my old instructor used to say 'repetition repetition repetition' - you almost want to bore him to pieces, so he thinks yes, yes, let's get on with the ride!

Best of luck.
 
If he plants when others are too far behind I'd work on gradually increasing the distance the others get behind you so it becomes more like he's on his own. Don't blame you for bringing him back if he's that bad but I'd avoid going out alone for now as everytime you are forced to bring him back he wins. If other horses aren't around I'd go with the suggestion of someone on foot or a bike.
 
Someone on foot is definate new tactic! As long as I can find people wanting a bit of extra exercise! Thanks for your help, will keep you posted on progress
 
I think that your horse is doing what feels right to him in that situation, he's not being naughty or any of the other anthropormophic translations on his behaviour. He senses danger in the wood and his instinct tells him he has to put some distance between it and him.

He will be picking up on your own apprehension as well, which will confirm his instinct to get out of there.

One way through this is to build his confidence in your leadership to a level where if you want to ride through the woods he thinks that it is ok and safe.

How can you do this? There are many techniques that people will recommend and argue about, my advice would be, research, find something you like the look of and understand, put the time in.

I feel that you need to deal with this fundimentally as it has the potential to escalate until one of you comes a cropper.

I don't see any value in coercion, bribery or hideing behind another horse and rider. Confidence and leadership are the key.
 
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