I need advice

J

JoJo_

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I've just got a new horse and he wont stand at a mounting block (hes 17hh so I really need the mounting block). He also wont stand for his girth to be tightened or to adjust my stirrups. He goes mad if he's in the field on his own or in the stable block on his own.

I'm not sure if he'll settle when he gets used to the new place. Any advice to stop these problems?
 
Pickle used to do that, I also found it very fustrating, I used to get on trot round a couple of circuits then get off and on again, it took a few times then he got fustrated with all the stopping and starting and begun to behave himself (he is 17.1hh)

The being on his own problem if he is new to the yard could just take a few weeks
 
Was this the horse you posted about going to look at from Kate ? or did you find a new one , sorry if i've missed a post
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and sorry for being nosey
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Yes I got him from Kate but no it wasnt the same one I asked for opinions on. I need to get more pics of him but here is him on the flat http://file043b.bebo.com/8/large/2008/04/20/11/4301904a7503078386l.jpg

The yard he's at has just opened so theres only 3 horses including mine then the yard owners horses. I think he'll be better when more horses arrive. I'm just hoping he's not like this normally cuz I needed a horse to build my confidence with not knock it more.
 
Mine did the crazy alone thing for the first few months but now has settled a bit- he can be got in before the others and will be ok for about a hour He's also getting better out. There is hope!!
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I had one that wouldn't stand still - spent hours just getting him to stand for a few secs then moving him off and doing it again, gradually building up ... it was hard work but well worth it in the end.. made life so easy when mounting him. Think investment in time is well worth the effort
 
It depends why he is doing it. Sometimes it can be a sign of back pain, so perhaps worth checking saddle, back, etc. The fact that he minds you getting on, doing the girth and the stirrups might suggest a saddle problem.

If all is well, I would try one of two things:
- if you think he is genuinely worried, doesn't know how to behave, etc., stay very calm, lead him to the mounting block, expect him to stand, when he moves, say nothing, don't get wound up at all, lead him up to the mounting block again and all over again without stressing at all over whether he will do it or how long it will take. The less of a big deal it is, the more likely he is to stand still.
- if you think he is being naughty and knows he should be standing still but is choosing to ignore you, one quick slap might sort it out. E.g. if he shifts his bottom to the right, try to get your stick there and smack him one (obviously you do not want to beat the life out of him, but one sharp smack might be good shock tactic).

As for being left on his own, this is very common. I would just try not to leave him alone for a while until he gets used to the yard, then give him short periods on his own making sure he has distractions (food, toy, etc.) so that it does not become too big a deal.
 
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