How do you react when....

C

Cedars

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 May 2009
Messages
7,830
Visit site
...your horse is messing around on the end of your leadrope/ lungeline? If it's mostly excitement with a little bit of fear?

By messing around I mean, bucking, plunging, rearing, kicking out. But there is an element of fear it isnt true naughtiness? Xx
 
If its a genuine scared reaction I would just pat them and carry on. I think overreacting to fear can only re-inforce the nervous reaction.

If its naughtiness, it depends on how I personally feel. I am quite happy with Ed hooning around so I personally wouldn't do anything if he was in high spirits and arsing around. But if it was unsafe or I wasn't happy with the behaviour I'd stop them with a firm no and a slap on the shoulder if neccessary.
 
personally I would just let them get on with it for a couple of minutes (providing it was safe to do so and I wasn't going to get kicked in the head) and then ask them to continue working as if nothing had happened. We have 2 that are both prone to go psycho when first lunged but only for a couple of minutes if that, it is just giddiness with them, the mare is spectacular to watch, I would never want to be on board with one of those bucks or the broncing!!
 
If fear, then a matter of fact voice and manner to show there is nothing to be scared of, followed by a wither rub when ned has calmed down.

If silliness, depends on the ned in question and the situation. Tigs used to get all silly coiming in from the bottom field. If I ignored it she just ran round me a few times (bit of lunging in effect), then calmed down, whereas if I tried to make her behave she was even sillier. Dizz on the other hand has to be stopped very quickly - give that horse an inch and she'll take your head off.
 
I'd let them have a bit of rope to give them space (I've got 12ft ropes), speak soothingly for sure, but also put them to work. Either working on arcs or if space is restricted maybe backing up, just work away with them until they get their brains back and can take a bit of notice of me. That's really regardless of why I think they are doing what they are doing.
 
You have my sympathy and understanding! Generally, if I am leading on the road, I **** myself and legs go to jelly, although on the outside I probably look quite confident! Also depends on the horse in question. My mare has been on box rest for quite a few weeks due to a fetlock operation. I had to start walking her in hand on Thursday morning for 10 minutes. By Friday I had her at a rehab centre where there is a huge horsewalker. There is no way I am putting myself through that again. She is a full up 16.1hh without shoes, and rearing and plunging isn't fun even though I had hat, gloves, bridle, lunge line on etc. I have walked her out in hand before, but that's when she was having turnout, so she was easier to calm down, but whilst on box rest, she was more likely to harm herself or me than being on a walker....I'm not to full of myself to say that I was frightened....if my gelding had farted about it wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest, but that's because I've had him for years and I know him so well, that I can anticipate what he is going to do, but the mare is more unpredictable and quicker to do something....
 
If it's fear, I will calm the horse using my voice, if leading I will get hold if it, anchor myself in it's shoulder and stroke it to try and alm it down, then quietly continue.
If naughtiness, I'm in the shoulder and Use my voice to tell it to stop it and be firm, without going overboard and creating a frightened AND naughty horse!!

On the lunge, if frightened, would depend on the horse and situation. I would try to slow it using my voice an take it on a smaller circle and try to calm it down.

If naughty, I make it keep cantering (if it's fly bucking and cantering) and make it keep going until I want it to stop, which will be after the horse wishes to!! I use my voice to assert myself without shouting, then I let it slow when it's MY decision, and we'll (hopefully!!!) carry on as originally intended
 
Last edited:
Is it clear what they are afraid of?

In the moment I'd do whatever it took to make the situation safe - which would probably involve getting the horse's attention on me, and keeping that back end away, and making sure horse isn't going to run you over, try to avoid getting them tangled in the line etc. I'd let them move their feet if they wanted to, but if they were gaining speed, not coming back to you after a few minutes or at risk of injury etc, I find making your way over to a fenceline or the wall helps ;)

I'd then take a step back and work on getting them calm again, and sorted with that fear. If they are calm enough and its not a fear of the equipment or you, I'd do as Tinypony suggests and get them doing something they know how to do, and which involves changes of direction and getting their focus back on YOU.

:)
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. Working with puzzle in the new school ATM. Yesterday she was scared and had a few 'oh my god I'm going to fart and buck' moments but she was all in all pretty chilled out about the whole thing. Today she was spookier but doing ok, my intention was to stop after she'd walked around the school once without a spook, but then a car came down the lane next to her and she went absolutely nuts. Took all my strength to hold the leadrope and make soothing noises, but once she'd gone she just wouldn't calm down.

In the end I chickened out and yelled for my (more experienced) oh who got her to walk around once without a spook (he preempted them and circled) and then we fussed like mad and took her back to her box.

I'm glad I stood my ground and insisted on an extra length leadrope!!!! But feel I let myself down and fell at the first hurdle.

So feeling sorry for myself :( these blooming horses, eh. Xxx
 
dont worry. i have to remind myself not to shout- its my new year resolution!! lol!

we have had some rather traumatic incidents in the last few weeks when walking too and from the field. my horse probably isnt that frightened he's just being silly so i try to keep calm and confident and ignore- oh and give him a longish rope. as soon as i move my hand up the rope to take a hold i can see him tense up
 
My boy is currently on box rest with a bit of hand grazing and a couple of times he has really messed around, bucking, rearing, leaping about. I know its only frustration of him not being able to go out but I'm afraid he gets a stern telling off for it. He is a 17.1 warmblood and its not funny when he is flinging himself about. Also he risks re injuring himself, so I don't stand for any messing. If its fear then that could be a different kettle of fish, although I think I would still approach it the same way, as In that I would try and come across confident to the horse (leader sort of thing).
 
ignore it. My mum was terrified i was about to get my headkicked in on christmas day when my overexcitable 4 year old did 2 laps of bronc/leaping/kicking etc.... but i know she stays out and was just competely on one....

If they pull my arms out then i shoudl "heyyy", mine normally realises shes gone too far and settles a bit.

(however i do laugh when they do high kicks and fart...) :D nothing phases me on the ground... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top