How to overcome a fear of ditches.... Without any ditches?!

AstonishedTrowel

AstonishedTrowel

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Hi all,

so the horse I'm riding at the minute has a problem with ditches. Aside from this he is a super keen, super confident and very athletic jumper. You can stick all manner of fillers, colourful stuff, teddy bears, plastic trays, rustics infront of him and they are no problem. But a ditch (man made or otherwise) is a no go....
I've gone cross country schooling and sods law there were no ditches in the practise course we were allowed to jump. He has seen the same XC course several times and religiously stops at the ditches.... I hate having to use a stick as he seems genuinely scared.

So, short of digging my own ditch (h**l no) does anyone have any nifty tips or tricks? I'd really like to work this out with him, last year we'd have won the novice class at our local hunter triala but our ditch problem ruined it - this year I'd really like to try again!

Thanks in advance :)
 
If it's your own land, I really would be digging my own ditch! Doesn't have to be a huge one, but enough that he has to face his demons and work it out for himself.

Preferably somewhere to and from his field so that he has to be led over it. Every day. At least twice. Until it's as routine and unscary as having his head collar on and off.

Coming in for his feed and going back out to grass, he also gets rewarded both ways ...
 
Sadly it is not my land! I am on a livery yard, however, if push comes to shove I could drag a shovel up the hill into the woods and get digging (hoping no one calls the police!).
I will try some tarpaulin on the floor but I don't think in his head this qualifies! :p
There is a natural river running through his field and he goes through this no problem, it's the only thing close to a ditch!
Thanks for all your thoughts so far guys! :)
 
iknowmyvalue said:
Tarpaulin or bin bags with a rustic pole on either side? I've seen that used as a "ditch" in arena XC training.
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This is what I'd try first. And unfolding the tarpaulin right out and leading horse over it, then riding over it so he gets used to weird things under his feet. Will he jump a water tray on its own (ie. no pole over it so it appears as a ditch)? Do you have any small natural ditches near you out on hacks you can try? Id be hiring a course which guaranteed had a small welcoming ditch on it then Id probably lead the horse over it (with a lunge line) a few times with loads of pats and treats when he did it every time. Then would try it on board with another horse as a lead, again lots of positive reinforcement. I would never use the whip, he's not being naughty especially if he's never done one before. You'll make more of an issue of it too if its at all negative IMO.
 
He's good with tarps! I did do a Trec training thingy with him and none of it fazed him (very proud!) and he's fine over a single water tray, excellent at jumping obstacles with no wings and coffin jumps with a pole over the ditch!
No natural ditches that I've managed to find so far, but I'm sure there must be something somewhere...!
He has been over the local course many many times (10+ times as it's local) but insists that the ditches are out to get him, that aside he has great fun! Due to horsey politics and funny people I doubt even if I requested a training session over ditches they'd give it to me and they do not hire out the course at all (you have to pay for a lesson to use a small portion of the course). The only other XC course is about 1-2 h drive away and I don't have my own transport or that much money :(
I agree with the use of a stick, which is why 99.9% of the time I don't even carry one :) I think that patience and positive reinforcement is the only way to go in terms of training, which is why I'd really like to do it as you say. I just need to find the facilities.....
 
Put a question on your local Horsey Facebook groups. Someone is bound to have ditches on the land suitable for jumping or know where there is some. Lots on our local country parks.
 
Have you tried leading him over the ditch? I couldn't get my pony over but when I got off and led her over, she just followed me over and was fine everytime since. Just make sure you keep out of the way so he doesn't leap on you.
 
I'd be getting a reliable lead horse to show him the ropes, but be prepared to really push him over the first time. You need to have him VERY in front of your leg, but not fast - too many people dribble slowly up to the ditch, so it's easy for horse to say no.

1. Pick a nice, friendly, narrow/shallow ditch
2. Come in a short, powerful trot, right up lead horse's bum
3. You need to look up and over the ditch, not down into it
4. You may need to use the whip as reinforcement for your leg aid, he must go forwards when asked
5. Lots of praise when he jumps, even if it's a mad leap
6. Repeat!
 
In the land of the ditch (Ireland) they teach horse to jump ditches on the lunge. Much safer and easier - two people, one holding the lunge rein on the landing side, one encouraging behind. Works every time and you don't have a confrontation.

They also do it with banks.
 
spacefaer said:
In the land of the ditch (Ireland) they teach horse to jump ditches on the lunge. Much safer and easier - two people, one holding the lunge rein on the landing side, one encouraging behind. Works every time and you don't have a confrontation.

They also do it with banks.
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Agree, it's always best to start on the ground and work up :) thanks for the tips! :)
 
spacefaer said:
In the land of the ditch (Ireland) they teach horse to jump ditches on the lunge. Much safer and easier - two people, one holding the lunge rein on the landing side, one encouraging behind. Works every time and you don't have a confrontation.

They also do it with banks.
Click to expand...

Absolutely the way to do it. Keeps the handlers safe too.

On a side note, I've always found the theory that ditches are only scary for the rider quite strange as I have met many horses who are "ditchy" with riders who have never had problems before. And psychologically I can completely understand why a ditch would be scary for a horse. They're great places for monsters to hide!

Good luck OP - I'm sure you will crack it with time and patience!
 
Does he love his food? I got stuck on a PC rally with my pony that refused to go over a ditch, and we were left behind when all the others moved on. The instructor got on and tried to get him over. In the end I stood on the far side with a handful of nuts and he jumped over for the treats. I think the instructor was thinking "why didn't you do that sooner" instead of when everyone had disappeared over the horizon.

I think the lunging over different ditches is a good idea, and really it is just a matter of practice and practice.
 
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