Insecure Pony

ahowlett

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4 March 2008
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I've owned my 9yr native cross for 8 months and he is very insecure when hacking out (alone and sometimes in company). When alone he will breathe heavy and go in reverse and with others, goes dead to the leg and sidels up to the other horse. These incidents happen 50% of the time. Sometimes he is better if schooled before hacking. Any advice would be welcome.
 
Sounds like he doesn't feel confident when away from his yard/pals and if you start to tense up and expect it to happen it will make him even worse.

You need to teach him that its safe to go out and that he can trust you to look after him.

Because horses have such a strong herd instinct, they are usually much happier in company. If you try hacking him out with a calm companion first he will start to realise there is nothing to worry about. The fact that he is beter when you've schooled him first makes me think that also by keeping him interested in listening to what you are asking him he will have less time to worry about what might happen to him when he's out.

I would suggest getting some information on the horses instincts and matching them to your situation to find out how to help him (natural horsmanship manuals and books on how the horse thinks are excellent).

Good Luck

Beth x
 
I agree totally with what Reinback has said. You have only had him a short time so he is still learning to trust you.

Whatever you do though, do not let him do what HE wants to do. If you decide to take him out alone, and he decides he doesnt want to, you must follow through and make him go. If you dont he will learn that this behaviour is acceptable and in theory you are rewarding him for it by offering something better.
 
Thanks Beth. I'm currently carrying out further research on how a horse thinks (this one certainly has a mind of his own!) and I'm inclined to agree with your theory when I school him first. I guess the main point here for me is time, patience and determination.
 
Mine's younger, and less extreme than you're describing (stalls a bit, spooks a bit) but otherwise much the same (a Welsh C)

- I have no saddle at the moment and so am long-reining her in the school then walking her out in hand. We're on week five now (sigh) but the change in her from week 1, is amazing.

If you have the patience, it can make a huge difference

E
 
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