Ideas for training the traumatised, reactive horse…

I think it can depend on the horse. I took one of a head shaker one and he shook off his bridle 😲

Maybe test in an arena first, but it can always be tied to the mane if you really need to ride without one, and you've got a mane.
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Willow might hate the browband but I need the bridle to stay on, so she’ll have to get used to it!

On another note - what size head is a mare who fits a cob sized headcollar on its largest fitting, a full size on the smallest and takes a full sized browband? Black is full, pink is Cob, both same make. (I would say ‘Awkward’ but that isn’t a size you can buy things in 😂!).
 

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The same size head as mine who is on largest on cob headcolar, full is too big over headpiece, bridle has full noseband, cob headpiece, cob cheek pieces, xf browband and a 6" bit which is ridiculous for a 14.2. I'll go with awkward! Strangely a full horse micklem with an xf bb has enough adjustment to fit him. I got a bit caught out with him out growing out of his 5 1/2" bit, I changed to 6" thinking this is ridiculous it can't be right. I asked my instructor to check his bit fit not saying I'd changed it to a 6", she looked at in and said it was fine but you wouldn't want anything neater. She was gobsmacked to find out it was 6"!
 
GoldenWillow said:
The same size head as mine who is on largest on cob headcolar, full is too big over headpiece, bridle has full noseband, cob headpiece, cob cheek pieces, xf browband and a 6" bit which is ridiculous for a 14.2. I'll go with awkward! Strangely a full horse micklem with an xf bb has enough adjustment to fit him. I got a bit caught out with him out growing out of his 5 1/2" bit, I changed to 6" thinking this is ridiculous it can't be right. I asked my instructor to check his bit fit not saying I'd changed it to a 6", she looked at in and said it was fine but you wouldn't want anything neater. She was gobsmacked to find out it was 6"!
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Mine's only 14hh at most! I bought her a cob head collar when she came, thinking no way would she need anything bigger, and it is literally on the last hole. Tried on the cob head collar that fitted our old 14.3hh cob cross (who did actually take a 6" bit!) and it almost didn't even go over her ears. Very tight fit!
 
We have ride and lead! Just about… she’s tentative but we did a whole length of the field walking and stopping (me on NF leading Willow and my husband walking with us for reassurance). She has finally decided he’ll do and is letting him hold and lead her. That has meant I can work on getting her to let me brush her tail, which is good preparation for getting a rug on.

Funniest moment this morning - she had a fit at my gloves (that I have been wearing for the last week) and wouldn’t talk to me. Got there in the end but it was all just her being grumpy because she was cold. So this afternoon I went in and poo picked without paying any attention to her. Cue pinched look on face, pony staring at me for 20min then finally walking up to me and asking me for fuss. Made me laugh.
 
To my great surprise, we managed rug on completely unfolded and saddle on today (not done up!). Did get the girth on one side and could reach under to pull it up, but I thought actually buckling it on might be a step too far, especially as I still need to manage saddle on with numnah underneath, and the block in the front needs changing as she is narrower than her friend!

Saddle looks really long on her - it’s the same one her 13hh best friend originally had 🤦‍♀️. She is a very 5 year old shape - ribs extend almost to her hips, back needing to lengthen. I am going to use this saddle to get her used to having one on because it fits in every other way, then make a better judgement of length once it is done up, has a pad underneath and is sitting in the right place.
 

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Correct front block in and a pad underneath and the saddle fits…phew! I did it up very carefully but she was actually really good. Walked around with it, no issues moving with it on either.

Rug goes on fine (am working towards chucking it on in the usual way) but off is more of an issue, so did a lot of that today. Putting it on, then pulling it off the back. Eventually, she stopped spooking at it and just stood there!

So then we went for a very short walk down the road (with a friend in front and behind for reassurance). She was SO GOOD! Met two dog walkers, a van and a bicycle. Found everything interesting, and had to touch the road sign to check what it was!!
 

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Brave helpful girl today! We were merrily doing groundwork in the big field, learning new things and showing off to the 2 year olds. Then we saw one of the ‘babies’ escaping through the fence. I sent off my son in a panic with a headcollar and was suddenly left with Willow and two smaller 2 year olds. They’re quite chilled so I abandoned them to eat and took her back to her field. She left her friends, followed me back, walked into her field quietly and waited. When I returned with her friends after getting the small one secured, she moved everyone else away from the gate so we could get in. Helpful Willow, good to have in a crisis!
 
My son’s contribution is: ‘All ropes are snakes.’ Willow, 2024. 🤣

Was very handy when teaching her to trot in-hand yesterday though. Her in front with my husband, me behind with a small pony attached (everyone deserves a leg stretch out of the frozen field). Say, ‘trot on’ and swing the end of the lead rope. Not especially near her, mind. Willow was like, ‘Come on, Dad, run! Scary snake might eat us! Let’s go!’ Then walk, then ‘trot on!’ Again. Quickest learning of the voice command to trot on in history, didn’t need the rope after repetition number 4!

Met some fly tipped rubbish. Googly eyes but walked past. Pony I was leading jumped up the bank in horror.

Cemented that learning today in the big field (roads too icy to leave the yard but we had some sun on the field so it was cautiously trottable). She got SO excited and stopped for a bounce at one point. Lovely to see her being a normal pony and having fun.
 
LEC said:
I wouldn’t even look at introducing a bridle until your foundations are absolutely rock solid with a headcollar, rope etc I would expect to be able to put a headcollar on at anytime. Have a lead rope swing round its neck, around head head etc. I would expect to be able to groom, have control leading, be able to lunge in a headcollar etc until those are 100% I wouldn’t even be moving on.
I would watch Steve Young Videos on YT they are very good.
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Agree, the Steve Young videos are very useful and he very much seems to focus on the groundwork.
 
SEG said:
Agree, the Steve Young videos are very useful and he very much seems to focus on the groundwork.
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I have watched quite a few of his videos in the past. They’re often very long and chatty though and a lot of his solutions are things we have done in the past so are already in the repertoire if that makes sense. The more specialised work he does is interesting though.

I’m loving the groundwork series we found that’s based in the USA- it’s interesting, challenges Willow’s mind and makes her think, and directly applies to what will be her ridden experience.

Took her down the road on my own today with just the kids with me and two ponies, no husband for backup. She was amazing - several cars, two dogs, a buggy with small child in it, all completely fine. Only little spook was at the electric car that suddenly started moving silently in a whoosh, and that wasn’t even to the end of the rope.

Then I rode the next lot past the field and her face was hilarious- but I want to do THAT now! Ok dear, slow down, perhaps we could get the hang of walking out for a little longer first, yes?!
 
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Can anyone recommend any good, waterproof, supportive walking boots? Willow didn’t want to turn around and come home today, was having too much fun. My feet were killing me though.
 
maya2008 said:
Can anyone recommend any good, waterproof, supportive walking boots? Willow didn’t want to turn around and come home today, was having too much fun. My feet were killing me though.
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I love Decathlons walking trainer low boots. (ETA Damn, they're all out of stock! )

Women's Waterproof Hiking Boots - NH100 Mid WP QUECHUA | Decathlon

For planned hikes and routine dog-walks, you need a shoe that protects you against downpour. Choose our brilliant waterproof high-top, featuring a…
www.decathlon.co.uk www.decathlon.co.uk
 
maya2008 said:
Can anyone recommend any good, waterproof, supportive walking boots? Willow didn’t want to turn around and come home today, was having too much fun. My feet were killing me though.
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I have some lovely Salomon ones. The problem with recommendations is everyone will tell you what they like and those might not fit your feet. I use to love Merrell boots but they changes the footbed on them several years ago and the arch support sits in the wrong place for my feet now. Your best bet would be to pop to a local outdoor kit store and try a load on.
 
Any hiking boot that fits. No point in recommending anything because everyone’s feet are different, so what fits me (I’m partial to Scarpa for hillwalking purposes) may not fit you. Go to an outdoor gear shop and try on boots.
 
LEC said:
I wouldn’t even look at introducing a bridle until your foundations are absolutely rock solid with a headcollar, rope etc I would expect to be able to put a headcollar on at anytime. Have a lead rope swing round its neck, around head head etc. I would expect to be able to groom, have control leading, be able to lunge in a headcollar etc until those are 100% I wouldn’t even be moving on.
I would watch Steve Young Videos on YT they are very good.
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This, I would want to be totally solid in all handling situations with the horse really comfortable and relaxed before Id even think of introducing a bridle. Think itll be a long road to getting on this pony, but sounds like you're doing great and heading the right way. Bridle-wise, you could try one of those side pull type ones?
 
Caol Ila said:
Any hiking boot that fits. No point in recommending anything because everyone’s feet are different, so what fits me (I’m partial to Scarpa for hillwalking purposes) may not fit you. Go to an outdoor gear shop and try on boots.
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Our local outdoor shops are sadly tiny and the selection may not include anything in my size depending on the week… so it’s either a 45min trip to the nearest big town or order online and send back if not right!
 
MagicMelon said:
This, I would want to be totally solid in all handling situations with the horse really comfortable and relaxed before Id even think of introducing a bridle. Think itll be a long road to getting on this pony, but sounds like you're doing great and heading the right way. Bridle-wise, you could try one of those side pull type ones?
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I needed a bridle so I didn’t lose the horse - she’s built like a tank and I could not hold her in her headcollar when she seriously spooked. We’ve been happily using a loping hackamore since just after Christmas and she’s going for in-hand walks and doing groundwork in it. It was an absolute game changer. I had control from day 1, which helped her relax and opened up so many more possibilities.

Have saddle and stirrups on now, leant over her today and worked on waving my arms around, along with jumping up and down on the block next to her. Happy for me to wave one arm but not two. Carrots helped her come to terms with that! Didn’t care about me leaning on the saddle, patting her on the other side or any of that sort of thing. I plan to keep doing this and progress to waving coats over her back followed by our helpful progression of ever bigger teddies that ‘ride’ all the youngsters before any humans do. She’s following the normal progression for a previously feral pony now.
 
Silly young horse move no.1: randomly swing left, take a few steps and PUT YOUR LEG THROUGH THE FENCE while having your rug taken off. Just why? So then she panicked ('cos she's her!), the rug moved, she panicked a little more, she knocked me flying, wriggled a bit, rug slid off and she stopped and went, 'Oh...dear....maybe I shouldn't have done that? I sorry. You ok?' Don't think she'll do that random gymnastic move again.

Then there was today - caught in, rug off, saddle on, walk, saddle off, rug back on...all without any extra person to hold her or being tied up. Totally chilled and helpful!
 
No picture because husband was holding and I was jumping but…we made it to the dizzy heights of one foot in a stirrup, two hands on saddle, jumping up and down briefly taking weight in stirrup today!

Started with saddle on, said, ‘Hi’ to big teddy, teddy on saddle. No reaction. Looked quite bored to be honest! Standing on block next to her, leaning on, patting all over, only reaction was arguing with dad about more treats. On right side, foot in stirrup, weight in, gentle jumping on block - no reaction. On her less favoured left side she swung away at first, then settled. Repeated after her walk and perfect on the right, calm (but I didn’t push it) on the left.

Need to get her feet rasped a little and rounded off at least before I am on - next project while we continue on this path! They are not too long but aren’t quite even in shape due to breaking off naturally over the last year or so.
 
She took my full weight lying over her today from both sides, I groomed her from the lofty height of the top of the mounting block, and could get up from the ground and over with my body on the saddle. Repeated that out hacking a few times too with no one to hold her. Husband thinks I will be sitting upright by Wednesday. Who knows? Both she and I are excited by our progress though - she wants to be like her friends and I just want to be on and not walking any more! I am really not designed for walking - currently held together with tubey grips to support various joints that are very unhappy!
 
Briefest of sits on today, from top step of mounting block. Leg over, sat down, off. She didn’t react, was busy eating carrots held by my husband! I can also be up but not fully over with foot in stirrup and she will walk forwards or backwards without worrying. I may have done too much groundwork - she’s so light on the aids that picking up the reins at all = backwards! Need to adjust my hold on them while getting on!! 🤣
 
She’s a funny one and I am very conscious of her potential to panic.

Normally, I would have a leg-up, lie over, pat all over, wriggle round when ready, sit up, get off. No stirrups, easy.

Willow? Umm no. Sorry, no. Not doing that! So backing has followed her preferences.

She declared lying over concerning and was worried I would fall off. Equally doesn’t like me getting on lower to her neck as if to swing up and over without sitting straight up.

Standing up straight and tall, one foot in the stirrup like I am backing a Western horse? Fine. No problem. Getting on from a block? Fine.

So now, after a few longer sits today, I have spent time watching videos of how you get off if you back them like they are a Western horse (up until now I have stepped back off onto the mounting block) - apparently with one foot in the stirrup and not by leaning forwards much at all.

I guess you learn something new every day!

(I will also add that groundwork and backing in the loping hackamore has been a revelation. She is SO light and easy. So obedient. It’s not just her either, I’ve been using it on her NF friend and it has made her much lighter on the aids, even when I switched back to her normal snaffle.)
 
On fully with feet in stirrups today! Twitched and jumped a bit when I put my feet in, but did her best to be good and got used to it fast. Was on long enough that she shifted under me a bit and moved gradually away from the block.

Then I practised getting off onto the ground not the block. Well…I sat there. Considered doing the method I had watched and practised. And just …couldn’t do it! 40 years of muscle memory is a big thing. So I figured it was better to be confident and do it the usual way. Warned her (she knows ‘off’ for having her rug off and the saddle off) then got off. First time, she shot backwards. Second time, she didn’t move until my feet hit the ground. Such a good girl. Lots of carrots and a nice walk after that!
 
sbloom said:
Designed around the lateral stability and huge panel areas of the western saddle, I'd not recommend it in an English saddle, too much pressure on the other side of the spine.
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I don’t have an English saddle anyway but… how is there more pressure doing the above correctly (so speedily without spending forever with weight in one stirrup) than getting on from the ground? Surely both place the whole weight in one stirrup, albeit briefly?
 
They do, and I think best left for where there is no other way to get on, and practiced of course. Getting on and off well is an art, and few people have the knack. I recommend an RDA style block wherever possible, though of course I understand a baby must be trained in all ways of getting on and off. My comments are often general about saddles and fitting rather than being specific about your situation of course :)
 
sbloom said:
They do, and I think best left for where there is no other way to get on, and practiced of course. Getting on and off well is an art, and few people have the knack. I recommend an RDA style block wherever possible, though of course I understand a baby must be trained in all ways of getting on and off. My comments are often general about saddles and fitting rather than being specific about your situation of course :)
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I was just curious!

Being able to be mounted smoothly from the ground is an essential part of education for us. When whips are dropped, the youngster you are leading wraps themselves around something, your pony gets a stone in their hoof, the one you are on decides they absolutely cannot go past whatever they have seen without your on the ground help, or a downed tree necessitates scrambling up a bank or through the undergrowth to get around (and if I am not sure of the ground I will go first on foot - better me put my foot in a hole than they do!) - then remounting from the ground (or some random ledge if there is one available) is a necessity. None of us struggle to get on, and no one sits down heavily. It’s quick, light and easy. I do appreciate that I am getting back on something under 14hh though!

Willow is already brilliant at standing still in random places while I put a foot in the stirrup and jump up. I swap sides regularly and we don’t do much each day, but the groundwork is being set. I have no wish to ever get off over an hour from home to do a tricky gate and have to walk all the way back!
 
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