Is this a cop out?

[jenbleep]

Ok Frankie was moved to his new yard about 2 weeks ago, prior to that he was at a yard that he has been at for pretty much all his life (he's a very sheltered horse

)

He was very unsettled at first, I didn't ride him for about 4 days so I could let him settle into a new routine and get used to everything. He has not been moved on his own, but with his owners 3 other horses, that he has lived with again, for all his life.

Started to calm down last week, I lunged him for the first few times, he is very tense but gradually started to relax.

The school id rubbish, but has good hacking so that is all I'm doing at the minute. However, he is still slightly unsettled and tense, spooks at everything, jogs, and jumps all over the place.

It is doing my head in

I know now that he could be like this for a while, due to his anxiety and babyish tendencies. I have tended to forget about his past (he was weaned way too early and has been with the same horses, and at the same yard for 8 years) so have come to the conclusion that he is going to act like this for a good while, and I should just keep going out, even for only 15 minutes, a day.

It just really winds me up, and although I am getting better at ignoring it I do feel like we are winding each other up at the moment.

Is it a cop out if I lunge him for 15 minutes tonight, then just take him for a walk in hand to look around and eat some grass up the lane??

I just thought if i am not on his back and he starts to get tense I am not on him to get angry.

Or should I just give up

and give him to someone else

Be honest

 

[Bettyboo1976]

No its not a cop out..

do what you feel is safe for him and you!

A little something is always better than nothing.. thats my opinon..

sometimes if i'm in a rush i just have a wonder about say for 20 mins.. so dont worry..

From reading all your previous posts you seem to really want whats best for F.. So no dont give up.. have fun and enjoy being with him before its time to go!!

 

[kizzywiz]

No, I think that sounds like a brilliant plan. How refreshing to find someone who is not in a big rush to be jumping the biggest jump, or doing passage NOW!!! He will clearly be unsettled due to his past circumstances, & I think you are being sensible & kind to give him time to settle with no pressure. A dreadful woman who came to our yard with a new horse dragged it off to the school an hour after it arrived so it could "learn who was boss"!!! OMG what's that about then??? Just be careful not to leave it too long before you gradually increase what you need him to do, I have been just a bit guilty of this in the past & I ended up creating a few problems for myself. Good luck, enjoy your new yard & I'm sure you will be having tons of fun in no time.

 

[serena2005]

no way! sounds like a good plan.

if he gets confdent with u onvthe ground it will be easier and quicker getting him tovrelax when u r on him.

good luck

 

[jumpthemoon]

When I moved my horse last time he took AGES to settle. I gave him a month off, which didn't really help (although we were moving house so it didn't matter) and then I had to lunge him for about 2 weeks every night until he settled. I then lunged him for 10 mins before getting on a few times as well!

For some reason he was terrible at first, but now he's settled in and he's really relaxed and loves his new home

I'm sure Frankie will calm down - if you don't want to ride there is nothing wrong with lunging, especially as it will probably let him settle more easily.

 

[jenbleep]

thanks guys!!

I have hacked him to a lesson across the road, and although he was the same then (on the hack over there) once he was in the school and working (and jumping!) he did work really nice - still slightly tense, but really trying. Bless him.

It's just the hacking part - and seeing as I only have a few weeks left with him

I don't want our time together to be too stressful

with me angry and him tense and scared

It's a shame I'm moving away - and I hope his new rider gets on well with him and doesn't get put off

 

[WoopsiiD]

does not sound like a cop out at all. sounds like someone putting their horses needs first!

 

[jenbleep]

thanks pud!

I just thought I have tried riding him out and we both get stressed go better go back a step

 

[Tiffany]

He's bound to feel unsettled and anxious and no it's not a cop out. Just do what you feel comfortable with and take one step at a time. Don't even think of giving him to someone else - you are the 1 secure thing he's got in his life at the moment - he needs you!

In a couple of months time you will smile about this and wonder what you were worried about. Have a good weekend.

 

[YorksG]

As well as the walking in hand, could you hack him out with another horse that knows the area and could give him a bit of a boost?

 

[jenbleep]

thanks tiffany, thats really sweet of you

 

[jenbleep]

yorksG there isn't really anyone at the yard that rides out.........i can only come down after work about 5ish and everyone is getting their horses in and putting them to bed

Frankie's owner did say she might get on her oldie and come out with us and give F some confidence......but whether that will happen well, we'll see. She does tend to say things and not follow them up

I do have someone who said they will come out with me but she is still getting used to her horse as well

so might be a week or so before she can come hack with us