How would you deal with this?

LaurenBay

LaurenBay

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Firstly I would just like to point out this is not my Horse. The Horse belongs to my YO who is currently away on holiday.

Unfourtantly my YO had a terrible accident 1 year ago when one of her Horses kicked her in the head (was a freak accident) she is now very nervy on the ground (understandable) she's fine with 3 of her Horses but her biggest lad is 17.2 hh so she's nervy around him due to his size.

About 2 weeks ago, the YO was away and asked someone to come in and ride the big lad (his the type that needs regular excercise) The girl is only around 5ft, so when it came to tacking up, she had to throw the saddle up quickly and Horse shied away and broke free. I was on the yard at this point so went over to ask if she needed help. Horse again jumped sidewides and the twine snapped again. I've known the Horse longer then the rider so I asked if she wanted me to tack him up as he knows me. It took a while (rubbing saddle on his shoulders/belly and lots of good boy's and pats) and I got the saddle on. Once on Horse calmed and was ridden. No problems whats so ever.

We thought it was a one off, Owner came back and tacked up to ride and Horse done exactly the same thing. She was almost in tears! I leant a hand and we finally got it on him (bribed with food) and when it was on he was fine again. YO went on hols again.

Owner has asked me to do some groundwork with him while she is away, I'm quite confident on the ground and am very used to dealing with this Horse. She has booked the saddler to come out when she is back to check the fit of the saddle, But I highly doubt that has anything to do with it as his fine when it's on and hasn't changed when ridden.

How would you go about it? I was thinking to take the numnah from the saddle, Go in the school and put him on the lunge. When he has warmed up, approach him with the numnah and just practice putting it on and taking it off. Then introduce the saddle again?

He is 8 YO if that helps, he is quite a slow Horse so I think he could possibly be trying it on and he can sense her fear.

Oreo cookies if you got through the essay!
 
Just realised, that last sentence doesn't really make any sense. What I mean is. He develops quite slowley. So is now at the stage "trying it on stage" that most Horses go through when their 6 or 7.
 
Im sure other people can offer much better advice but if I was in that situation I would just spend time every day putting on and taking off the saddle over and over again and reward when he is still/good.
I would have some one with me to hold him rather than him pulling back and snapping the twine all the time (as they can get into that habit quite quickly too!)
It could of been a bit of a shock for him having the sadde chucked up (caught him unawares) and him and he may just be a bit nervy and picking up on y/o nerves as well.
I had similar situation teaching my mare about rugs and she is fine now.
Hope it helps :)
 
Personally ? I'd leave it to her to sort out her own horse. I don't get involved in trying to sort out other peoples problems, I have a full time job that I need to be able to do, so I can't afford to get bashed up by a horse that isn't my own.

If a close friend needs support or a hand, fair enough, but unless you are a professional, I'd leave well alone.
 
We don't tie him to tack up anymore because we don't want him to get in to the habbit of pulling back.

She is a very close friend of mine, who has not only helped me find my Horse but has been schooling her for me too (she's more more experienced rider then I am) She will help me whenever I need it. So I would like to do something for her. I also love doing stuff like this and regually do little bits and bobs with her rising 3 YO, just because I enjoy dealing with problems. :D
I am not a professional however. But do have experience handling stallions and youngsters. I have just never come accross a Horse who is scared to be tacked up.
 
No expert but I know if they snap the twine they know they can snap it so rope and ring but agree have someone with you and do it every day tack and untack even if groomed with tack on and then taken off(ie even if not ridden). I usually provide a hay net if mine are tied up and I am going to be fiddling around.

Can they be tacked up in the stable at all? ie loose?

Hay net whilst tied up? Once they learn to get away they will keep repeating as you are finding out.Sorry probably not much help.
 
BigRed said:
Personally ? I'd leave it to her to sort out her own horse. I don't get involved in trying to sort out other peoples problems, I have a full time job that I need to be able to do, so I can't afford to get bashed up by a horse that isn't my own.

If a close friend needs support or a hand, fair enough, but unless you are a professional, I'd leave well alone.
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I entirely agree.

Can I also add that when tacking up a big horse - stand on a chair (or block etc.) to put the saddle on. Then the horse doesn't need to get walloped on the back when the saddle is put on.

I would imagine it's this that's upset the horse - nothing else. And at 8, I'd be suprised if he's suddenly started to try it on.
 
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what you are looking to do sounds like the right thing, maybe try looking at some books on horsemanship and things like parelli and monty roberts or search the internet? hope it helps :)
 
A blocker tie ring might be useful to use with him http://www.equinecountrystore.co.uk/ID0000000050-Blocker-Tie-Ring-Blocker-Tie-Ring.aspx

If you know a handyman you can make one with half of an old snaffle bit ;)

I think the root of the problem is the fact that his tack was thrown up quickly, so I'd avoid that girl tacking him up in future, I'm only just over 5,1", but have never had to throw tack on a 17.2, if you hold the saddle properly it is perfectly do-able, even if it's a bit of a struggle!:)
 
amymay said:
I entirely agree.

Can I also add that when tacking up a big horse - stand on a chair (or block etc.) to put the saddle on. Then the horse doesn't need to get walloped on the back when the saddle is put on.

I would imagine it's this that's upset the horse - nothing else. And at 8, I'd be suprised if he's suddenly started to try it on.
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I was thinking that, I'm only 5 3' and when I worked on a livery yard I had to tack up a huge 17.2 ID type for his owner to come and ride, I never threw his saddle on ! or had to stand on anything, and if I had to I would have stood on something, its obvious, you don't just throw it on because YOU can't reach, its not the horses fault
 
I wouldn't risk tacking him up loose in his stable. He can be a bit off a grump in there at the best of times. So think it would upset him further to tack him up there.

Maybe threw was the wrong word to use. But it was very fast. She is used to tacking up an older Horse and I think we all take simple stuff like tacking up for granted when we have a sensible older Horse. So she didn't think and tacked up in the same sort of manor as she would to the older Horse. Once she realised she had upset the Horse, she was much more sensitive to him.

I have been standing on a stool. And I would deffiently be using a stool when I do the sessions as I don't want to just plonk it on his back. YO is much taller then me, so doesn't need it.
 
Personally I'd keep putting the saddle on and taking it off. You need to understand that the horse will let you know when it is ok to put the saddle on, ie. no tail swishing, tensing etc. If you get any sort of adverse reaction to saddling, you should keep repeating until the horse is completely at ease with the process.

Rushing to get the saddle on will lead to more serious problems in the ridden work as the problem goes on.

How long does it take? As long as it takes.
 
Thanks Pale Rider, My plan was too seperate the numnah from the saddle and start practicing with that. Take him in the school on the lunge and get him nice and relaxed then introduce the numnah and treat. repeat putting it on and taking it off again and keep treating. Once he is calm and happy with the numnah. Repeat the process with the saddle (standing on a stool)

It might take a while but I don't mind. When YO is back I will still continue with the sessions. I'm not trying to fix the problem before she gets back as I don't want to rush him.

His a very sweet Horse, who I enjoy working with.
 
LaurenBay said:
Thanks Pale Rider, My plan was too seperate the numnah from the saddle and start practicing with that. Take him in the school on the lunge and get him nice and relaxed then introduce the numnah and treat. repeat putting it on and taking it off again and keep treating. Once he is calm and happy with the numnah. Repeat the process with the saddle (standing on a stool)

It might take a while but I don't mind. When YO is back I will still continue with the sessions. I'm not trying to fix the problem before she gets back as I don't want to rush him.

His a very sweet Horse, who I enjoy working with.
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Sounds good to me.
 
Just a quick update.

Sessions are going very well. I've now done 2, I haven't had any pulling or spooking yet, however he is still not 100% happy and is still tensing up. Although he does start to calm and settle down torwards the end of the sessions. I will keep up with the sessions as I really think it will help him. Saddler is due out next week just to check saddle over in case.
 
im definately no expert but do like the sound of your plan. Had the same issues with my horse although hes a small fry at 16.1. I couldnt do a thing with him and after a few nearly serious incidents decided to send him back. My unhorsey bloke had formed a bond with him and i was persuaded to keep him. The idea was to start with basics and smooth out all the issues one by one. tacking up was issue no 3. He kicked out and danced round all over the place at first. We spent a week over exagerating every movement.. ie for him it made a big difference if he saw us double check his girth wasnt nipping him. I really do think slowly slowly catches monkey. Now i can grab him from the field and throw the saddle on him and be away in minutes if need be... i believe this is entirely due all the time invested in him in the early days!
It s nice that you want to help your friend too.... please dont change that side of your personality. :-)
 
touchstone said:
A blocker tie ring might be useful to use with him http://www.equinecountrystore.co.uk/ID0000000050-Blocker-Tie-Ring-Blocker-Tie-Ring.aspx

:)
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That looks like a bloody fantastic piece of kit !! How the hell do they work and what is that knot !?!

I have a horse with a pull back problem - she can snap headcollars and leadropes with a sharp tug of the head , if something doesn't break though she panics and continues to pull. once the string / head collar or rope didn't break and she ended up flipping in the air landing on her side in the air ... i wouldn't tie to just a ring evar again as that is not an experiance I would like to relive
 
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I think youre doing just fine- and i would do the same as you completely. Try to get someone to hold him whilst you put the numnah on and off. Make sure its painfree for him. And there is no need to throw on a saddle...Of course hes going to hate that.

Get a chair- once hes standing still of course to put on the saddle. Treats always come in useful- positive reinforcement that hes doing good!!

Haynet idea is a good one too :)

Good luck!!
 
Samantha, I've actually been doing it by myself, as it's only me and another livery there at the moment and he is a novice.

I've been using a lungeline and making sure that there is no tension on it. I've taken the girth and stirrups of the saddle for the time being, as the last thing I want is for one of them to fall down and suprise him. He gets a rub over with the numnah and treated, once he is relaxed I put on the numnah and treat, Take off and treat and keep repeating. Gradually increasing the time the numnah is on him, when he is relaxed and happy I repeat the process with the saddle. Before I start though I leave a treat on top of the saddle so he has to touch the saddle on his own accord to get his treat.
 
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