Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
..... the spot where your horse spooked at the metal dectectors go??? Well I hope
Im_Addicted ... how did your hack out past .....
- Thread starter Eaglestone
- Start date
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Well I must admit to being alittle apprehensive, but I had a lesson with my dressage instructor and being as she is very close I hack there in about 15 mins, anyway got out the yard and was met more or less straight away with a loader carrying a huuge bale of straw and it was coming straight for him and he did the same thing again, ok it looked scary, but bloody hell Bijou
, anyhow we got past it, carried on to where the "incident" happened on Sunday, he was fine, he has his ears pricked and perhaps not relaxed as he would have normally been, but hey he went past.
Got to my instructers yard with no further problems and he was a star all through the lesson and really worked for me, so no complaints there.
Hacked back, he walked past a very bright oil tanker which had parked up in a layby, and we were about 5 mins from home and hacked up this little dirt track, now I could see a tractor in the field next to the track, but it really was hidden from Bijou's vision , literaly right next to the hedge of the track and it was moving hay bales from stack to stack, we got closer and he must have sensed something and spun round and cantered afew strides back down the track, got myself together and he went past, he did pull up very quickly and easily
The thing is I can't keep letting him run off like this if he is scared, so he did get a smack and will keep doing so if this carries on. I'm not sure why he has started this because in the 9 months I have had him he's been great out on the roads. I have to keep going out on him and will do again tonight if the weather is ok, but it certainly gets the nerves going.
He is so fit at the moment so hoping that with the spring grass coming through has made him a bit silly.
But thanks for asking how I got on, if anyone has any tips on how to handle this new situation I would be very very grateful, I think I will have to invest in a body protector, it certainly made me think If I hit the deck its going to B hurt.!
Got to my instructers yard with no further problems and he was a star all through the lesson and really worked for me, so no complaints there.
Hacked back, he walked past a very bright oil tanker which had parked up in a layby, and we were about 5 mins from home and hacked up this little dirt track, now I could see a tractor in the field next to the track, but it really was hidden from Bijou's vision , literaly right next to the hedge of the track and it was moving hay bales from stack to stack, we got closer and he must have sensed something and spun round and cantered afew strides back down the track, got myself together and he went past, he did pull up very quickly and easily
The thing is I can't keep letting him run off like this if he is scared, so he did get a smack and will keep doing so if this carries on. I'm not sure why he has started this because in the 9 months I have had him he's been great out on the roads. I have to keep going out on him and will do again tonight if the weather is ok, but it certainly gets the nerves going.
He is so fit at the moment so hoping that with the spring grass coming through has made him a bit silly.
But thanks for asking how I got on, if anyone has any tips on how to handle this new situation I would be very very grateful, I think I will have to invest in a body protector, it certainly made me think If I hit the deck its going to B hurt.!
Hullabaloo
Well-Known Member
Hi
I was wondering too.
Sounds like everything was conspiring against you when you went out.
Are you getting tense now when you see things and worrying about what he will do? Maybe he's picking that up? It could be that you're both a bit unsettled by what happened.
If you see something that you think he might find scary you could try singing to him or even just chatting rubbish. It works with my horse, although I think he may report me to the RSPCA for torture if I sing for too long!
Stick with it and I'm sure he'll be back to his normal bombproof self soon!
I was wondering too.
Sounds like everything was conspiring against you when you went out.
Are you getting tense now when you see things and worrying about what he will do? Maybe he's picking that up? It could be that you're both a bit unsettled by what happened.
If you see something that you think he might find scary you could try singing to him or even just chatting rubbish. It works with my horse, although I think he may report me to the RSPCA for torture if I sing for too long!
Stick with it and I'm sure he'll be back to his normal bombproof self soon!
Alibear
Well-Known Member
Another non tune full hummer and singer here.
I also have a neck strap so I can grab that when feeling nervous rather than tensing up and pulling the reins short.
I also have a neck strap so I can grab that when feeling nervous rather than tensing up and pulling the reins short.
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Thanks guy's, yes I am probably feeding him my nerves as this is totally out of character for him, the little sod.
I will try the singing but don't blame me if it doesn't stop raining, I'll sound like an alley cat, tuneful i'm not, well I think I am, everyone else doesn't.
I am going to put back on his martingale so he isn't so heady and I will just have to relax, he doesn't frighten me , its just sometimes I'm not ready and he nearly unseats me and I'm grappling my reins abit - looks very dignified!.
Its lovely to think that someone remembers anothers problems and thinks to ask how they got on- I'm touched.
I will try the singing but don't blame me if it doesn't stop raining, I'll sound like an alley cat, tuneful i'm not, well I think I am, everyone else doesn't.
I am going to put back on his martingale so he isn't so heady and I will just have to relax, he doesn't frighten me , its just sometimes I'm not ready and he nearly unseats me and I'm grappling my reins abit - looks very dignified!.
Its lovely to think that someone remembers anothers problems and thinks to ask how they got on- I'm touched.
AmyMay
Situation normal
[ QUOTE ]
now I could see a tractor in the field next to the track, but it really was hidden from Bijou's vision , literaly right next to the hedge of the track and it was moving hay bales from stack to stack, we got closer and he must have sensed something and spun round and cantered afew strides back down the track, got myself together and he went past, he did pull up very quickly and easily
The thing is I can't keep letting him run off like this if he is scared, so he did get a smack and will keep doing so if this carries on.
[/ QUOTE ]
Don't know what the previous incident was - but even my bomb proof horse would have been upset by that - smaking him just reinforces it.
Sorry but horses are not machines.........
now I could see a tractor in the field next to the track, but it really was hidden from Bijou's vision , literaly right next to the hedge of the track and it was moving hay bales from stack to stack, we got closer and he must have sensed something and spun round and cantered afew strides back down the track, got myself together and he went past, he did pull up very quickly and easily
The thing is I can't keep letting him run off like this if he is scared, so he did get a smack and will keep doing so if this carries on.
[/ QUOTE ]
Don't know what the previous incident was - but even my bomb proof horse would have been upset by that - smaking him just reinforces it.
Sorry but horses are not machines.........
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
AmyMay - the previous incident was a fieldful of metal dectorist and he bolted down the road, and yes he was terrified.
Yesterday Whilst I have never smacked a horse I am concerned that he will develope a habit of turning and running if he doesn't like anything.When I mention smack, I don't mean a beating but a tap with my whip, he has to learn that running off isn't an option we are lucky the roads are quiet.
I know that they are not machines and are unpredictable, but nor should they be the boss.
If like on the first incident he was generally scared and I could feel it, so whilst he was naughty in doing what he did I can understand it, however yesterday he has seen tractors moving bales lots of times before and never flinched, he showed no real signs of being scared but just decided to turn and run, so in this instance I feel he was taking the michael, and needs to know that he can't.
Yesterday Whilst I have never smacked a horse I am concerned that he will develope a habit of turning and running if he doesn't like anything.When I mention smack, I don't mean a beating but a tap with my whip, he has to learn that running off isn't an option we are lucky the roads are quiet.
I know that they are not machines and are unpredictable, but nor should they be the boss.
If like on the first incident he was generally scared and I could feel it, so whilst he was naughty in doing what he did I can understand it, however yesterday he has seen tractors moving bales lots of times before and never flinched, he showed no real signs of being scared but just decided to turn and run, so in this instance I feel he was taking the michael, and needs to know that he can't.
AmyMay
Situation normal
No I realise you didn't beat him.
Horses are by their nature unpredictable - that's the point I was trying (rather unsuccesfully to make). And I'm not sure that by dispalying fear or nervousness about something they are trying to be the boss.
A differing view from yours - but in my experience the things that usually frighten a horse the most is what they can't see - or can't quite make out.
Horses are by their nature unpredictable - that's the point I was trying (rather unsuccesfully to make). And I'm not sure that by dispalying fear or nervousness about something they are trying to be the boss.
A differing view from yours - but in my experience the things that usually frighten a horse the most is what they can't see - or can't quite make out.
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Yes I totally agree with you, not seeing things but hearing things can spook most horses, I'm not saying that I am correct in giving my horse a tap with the whip when he runs off, I am open to any advice and I have taken on board your comments that this could be making the situation worse. if and when this happens, I am going to try the singing and stroking approach if he tries it tonight .
My main concern is that he develops this as a habit because he can,( hope that makes sense) maybe horses don't develop habits in this way I simply don't know , I haven't been in this situation before and I must say its one that I don't like very much at all.
My main concern is that he develops this as a habit because he can,( hope that makes sense) maybe horses don't develop habits in this way I simply don't know , I haven't been in this situation before and I must say its one that I don't like very much at all.
Bertie_Boo
Well-Known Member
I agree with Amy May on this one. My horse is a 99% bombproof ploddy cob and the odd times when he spins and canters off for a few strides is when he can't make out what something is. For example the last time he did it was when there was a trailer in a field which was partially obscured by a hedge.
I do understand it is tricky when you are on a road (I don't have any off road hacking at all) but I would never smack on such an occasion. If there is a lot of traffic about, I put safety first and get off and lead him past. I would definitely put on a neck strap to help with your confidence, good luck with it.
I do understand it is tricky when you are on a road (I don't have any off road hacking at all) but I would never smack on such an occasion. If there is a lot of traffic about, I put safety first and get off and lead him past. I would definitely put on a neck strap to help with your confidence, good luck with it.
AmyMay
Situation normal
[ QUOTE ]
My main concern is that he develops this as a habit because he can,( hope that makes sense) maybe horses don't develop habits in this way I simply don't know
[/ QUOTE ]
No I don't thiink they do develop habits in this way. My personal opinion is that they are more likely to do so because of our reactions to certain things. If the rider treats it as no bit deal - then it isn't. On the reverse, if we get tense and nervous every time our horse does, then we just reinforce it.
My favoured method of dealing with situations like this (in the main) is to ignore and just tell the horse to stop being such a silly arse.
My main concern is that he develops this as a habit because he can,( hope that makes sense) maybe horses don't develop habits in this way I simply don't know
[/ QUOTE ]
No I don't thiink they do develop habits in this way. My personal opinion is that they are more likely to do so because of our reactions to certain things. If the rider treats it as no bit deal - then it isn't. On the reverse, if we get tense and nervous every time our horse does, then we just reinforce it.
My favoured method of dealing with situations like this (in the main) is to ignore and just tell the horse to stop being such a silly arse.
Eaglestone
Well-Known Member
Oh what a shame it did not got smoothly like we or at least I had hoped, as I had everything crossed for you
Funny you should say that about the grass and being fit, as my TB (who is not fit but has good grass
) is 100% heavy traffic, but not little children on squeaky things. This time last year, with the good grass in him, we were approached, with him in front, by a HUGE tractor with the wheels as high has him and just as he got level he spun round, now that was out of character ... the next day a large white lorry approached and he jumped at that
Since then, he has been more wary of the larger vehicles, although his normal rider is totally unphased by it all, so I don't think it comes from him ....
There must be an element of you tensing up now, as that is understandable, as you had a big fright, but I agree with the singing/talking/humming thing as that does help them alot.
Good luck and keep us updated and I hope he settles back to his normal trusty self
Funny you should say that about the grass and being fit, as my TB (who is not fit but has good grass
Since then, he has been more wary of the larger vehicles, although his normal rider is totally unphased by it all, so I don't think it comes from him ....
There must be an element of you tensing up now, as that is understandable, as you had a big fright, but I agree with the singing/talking/humming thing as that does help them alot.
Good luck and keep us updated and I hope he settles back to his normal trusty self
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
AmyMay- Tonight I'll sing, stroke his neck and if all else fails I'll call him a silly arse- Lol hope no ones sees me.The daft thing will hopefully be as good as gold after all this.
Bertie_Boo thanks for your comments also, but If I had gotten off re the original incident I couldn't have kept hold, he clearly was terrified and did a proper bolt not a half baked attempt by running off for a few strides unlike the most recent ones ,he really did gallop off. Also if I did get off I doubt I could get back on again with out the mounting block, he's a big lad and I'm a small squirt!
Bertie_Boo thanks for your comments also, but If I had gotten off re the original incident I couldn't have kept hold, he clearly was terrified and did a proper bolt not a half baked attempt by running off for a few strides unlike the most recent ones ,he really did gallop off. Also if I did get off I doubt I could get back on again with out the mounting block, he's a big lad and I'm a small squirt!
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Eaglestone thanks, I am apprehensive about it all, even if I try not to be, it was bad enough yesterday morning thinking about it after incident 1, its now even worse after incident 2 & 3. I know that perhaps most horses would react to these situations, but when your horse doesn't normally and has now reacted badly on 3 separate occassions I can't say that I am looking forward to hacking him out tonight, I'm praying for rain so I can put it off- what a coward.
I'll glady keep you posted and fingers crossed its just a blip and normal service will be resumed shortly.
Bijou is very similar to the horse in your siggie, I love chestnuts even mine when he's being a wally.
I'll glady keep you posted and fingers crossed its just a blip and normal service will be resumed shortly.
Bijou is very similar to the horse in your siggie, I love chestnuts even mine when he's being a wally.
OWLIE185
Well-Known Member
In my experience of riding horses in Central London for many years iI believe that some feeds can cause them to be more on their toes a bit like becoming punch drunk. I have also found that a horse which is genuinely bombproof/spookproof will not change with different riders.
jemmeg
Well-Known Member
You know I do feel for you in this situation my big dollop of a lad is 100% in traffic but can be spooky with things that come out of the blue he spins away from them or grows to 18 hands if he is not sure what it is. I find that singing or really relaxing into the saddle making a real effort to relax I know its not always easy when you see something you think they might not like but I have trained myself to breath deep and relax it seems to work. Its mind over matter really I just think enjoy yourself and all together breatheeeeeeeeee
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Thanks OWLIE185, his routine or feeds haven't changed, the only thing is at last the spring grass is fast coming through so maybe more spooky because of this.
SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Jemmeg- Thanks it is awful, I just need to stop thinking will he won't he and just get on with it and yes reeelax!