I'm in a pickle...

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kty82

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Hi All,

Looking for some pity. Long story short, had a bag accident on my 4 yr old back in march, since then we have been working nice and slowly building our confidence back up.

It's been going ok-ish few blips but I love her and have been persevering. So tonight after, a month off (foot operation) we ventured down the quiet lanes in hand. 10 mins in I jumped on, all was fine until we encountered a scary scooter, the kid nearly killed us, even after me politely asking him to slow down. Luckily ponio was good, but I was furious, In my rage I jumped off and had a little chat with said kid.

He apologised and so I tried to hop back on, not happening. My mare started her nonsense, spinning, trying to bite me, threatening to rear. I tried for a good 20 mins, but due to being out on the road wasn’t an ideal situation.

Anyway, I think I’ve realised we need help. Can anyone suggest the best hoof forward for us? I'm open to sending off to be schooled, lessons, anything to get her where she needs to be and my confidence restored.

I just want the best for my little girl and for us to enjoy our lives together.

Thanks xxx
 
i agree with amymay
sounds like a normal reaction in the situation.
our of work horse and an excuse to react.

build her up slowly.
lunge, long line and school her them hack in company before venturing out alone.

get help from an experienced person if you lack confidence.
 
And in addition to amymays suggestion could you find someone competent with a bombproof horse to hack with? Letting a youngster copy a steady horses reaction is much better than trying to go it alone.
 
littlelegs said:
And in addition to amymays suggestion could you find someone competent with a bombproof horse to hack with? Letting a youngster copy a steady horses reaction is much better than trying to go it alone.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with you. Have never done it any other way with a youngster.
 
Thanks All, just think I needed some reassurance.

Will slow things up, go back to long reining to build confidence. We are having a lesson tomorrow for the first time so hoping that will help. Trying so hard to do right by her, but she’s still very young.

Thanks very much
 
Me neither amymay. I actually rather enjoy watching the youngsters train of thoughts. Basically goes 'wtf is that, I'm ready for flight, I'll just check what my mates doing'. Older horse 'yeah, its just a convoy of fairground rides flapping & banging around on hgvs pulling caravans, don't worry mate'. Youngster: 'okey doke, that's ok then. I'll just have a look as they pass cos not seen that before'.
 
To be honest, there doesn't seem that much wrong with your horse, I can understand her getting a bit upset with you getting angry at the scooter.

It pays to remember that horses are very aware of your feelings and emotions and will react in some way when you feel frightened, angry or apprehensive.

Horses have to live in the world as it is, and noisy, large or intimidating vehicles are all part of that world.

I get young horses used to stuff like that on the road by playing chase the bus, or tractor or whatever. Basically, when a vehicle has passed you, and is moving away from you, thats very important as they do feel threatened by stuff coming towards them initially. As it pulls away go after it at a trot and chase it down the road. (Mine are all barefoot so we sometimes canter after stuff for a short while). Its not long before they lose any fear of traffic. The key is though being relaxed about it yourself, if you start getting apprehensive, they will.

Long reining is a great idea, lunging I feel is a waste of time unless you are putting in hundreds of transitions up and down.

Lots of folk talk about groundwork, and this means different things to different people. To me groundwork is teaching on the ground what I want in the saddle. If I can get the yields and responses I want on the ground it is easily transfered. Getting their brain engaged is the thing and getting them to yield with softness and willingness. All this builds the horses confidence in you and your leadership, when that happens you can safely go anywhere and enjoy it.

Good luck.
 
For future reference - don't get off! I'm sure this has been debated long and hard before but I would never get off a. because horse can easily get get away from you b. because getting back on can be an issue!

I remember years ago falling off my pony out on a hack by myself. It was my own fault, I had cantered up and down this forestry pathway a couple of times and thoroughly wound him up. At the end there was a pathway leading off to the left up a very steep hill with trees either side and a very high 'do not ride up here' rail on posts. Pony shot off up there with absolutely no brakes, steadied himself and I thought he was going to jump it so I sat up but he ran straight under it and I got knocked off backwards! I got up (v winded!) and calling pony all the names under the sun, ran along the bottom path and I could see him walking along the top path so I sprinted forwards a bit and cut him off at the pass so to speak. Pony was behaving like an arse and I just could not get back on - in the end (in desperation) I undid his reins and tied them round a tree, hopped on and then undid them (hangs head in shame!). Ha! that tricked him. Probably not the most H&S/PC thing to do but I was MILES away from home and a reckless teenager. Knew pony like the back of my hand too - little git!
 
ha ha that's really cute Littlelegs. My mare freaked at a trailer last night, went up to it and then started to eat it. Funny pony :)
 
The reason I got off was because I was furious at the kid, he nearly caused a really bad accident and put all our lives at risk. So that's why i gave him a piece of my mind. I normally ride through spooks etc.

Oh well lesson learnt. She seems as good as gold in hand, but once I get on she panics. Someone walks out with me, but perhaps I'm more anxious and she then reacts when I'm on board.

I'm trying to expose her to all different things so that she doesn’t get bored, maybe I just pushed my luck a little last night.

Thank you for all the tips and kind words.
 
I am very lucky as I own a short 15hh pony so I can leap on off the ground with ease! :D

However, when I owned my previous 17.2 ISH I trained him to stand perfectly still when being mounted if we were out and about, I would have to lower his stirrup right down and clamber on that way! I think that he rather enjoyed being a climbing wall! :cool:
 
Me too! 15HH!! The problem was she was spinning and trying to rear, not great on a road, quiet one, but still!!

When I intially mounted she has been taught to stand still, which she did. Just after the scooter, she was having none of it.

really annoyed at myself, as I'm very much 'I will win', but I didnt fancy ending up on the road.:mad:
 
Teaching them to stand and listen when they are excited or worried is possible but it does take time. I am so glad that I put the effort in with my mare as I was even able to mount safely after a tractor had been welded and angle grinded right in front of her stable. Yes, the farmer did pause while I mounted, but the tractor was right by the mounting block.
 
They pick up on mood so well. B1 and b2 both help me if I feel nervous. B1 dislikes me being cross with anyone but b2 gets braver if I am as if by me being cross and scary he can hide behind me and be safe! Last 2 would have me (ridden) if I showed fear! They're funny things.
 
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