Jason Webb - experiences?

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Tash88

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Hi - I did do a forum search before starting this but as the last similar thread was in 2012 I thought it was worth starting a new one!

I have Jason Webb coming to see my horse on 8th December at my yard. He was recommended by another livery and my YO/trainer as my horse has had a few issues for a long time that I think started before he was backed, but were not helped by the rather insensitive (not cruel by any stretch, but not particularly intelligent either) way in which he was backed and started. I bought him as a five year-old and he is now nine. He has come on an awful lot but there are still issues and to be honest I need more of an insight into how his brain works; I know what I am doing and know him well, but in some ways it has got to the point where I may not be able to see the wood for the trees and also I know I am overthinking it in a less than productive manner.

Anyway, I'd be really interested to hear of any experiences that you ad your horses have had with Jason, in particular with addressing problems in older horses.

Many thanks in advance, Tash
 
Jason is no doubt effective and gets results. His methods aren't for everyone and he tends to be black and white. Sometimes it gets "ugly" before it gets better. But it does get better!
 
Thanks for the reply... he was recommended to me over other trainers/behaviourists so hopefully he will suit my horse. In what way is he black and white? Is he rude or does he come across that way without meaning to sometimes? I'm going to read all his blogs on the H&H website and see if I can watch some of his programme on Horse & Country TV before my appointment - knowledge is power after all! I have read a couple of his blogs and his approach does seem appropriate, and the waiting list is surely a good sign.
 
It was a few years ago now but I used Jason to re-start my horse following a fall from him whilst trying to mount (he freaked out whilst i was half way on, past the point of no return but arse not in saddle and i had no hope of staying on). After this the horse wouldn't let me near him. I had bought him from a breaking / sales yard as a just backed rising 4yo and as far as i was concerned i'd ruined him by coming off.

Jason took him on with the understanding that i went at least once a week for lessons, as he needed to make sure i wasn't the problem. I think he was there 4 weeks. He did have a no nonsense approach and gave me some valuable lessons in handling the horse, teaching me how to lead etc in a natural horsemanship way rather than the traditional way i'd been taught. This has been valuable as he topped out at 17 hands and is a larger than life character and could have got too big for his boots.

He restarted him then gave me to the tools to handle any problems going forwards. He also said without doubt that the horse was reliving a past bad experience and it wasn't me coming off that caused the problems. I have to say i didn't really believe him, but some years later, a girl that worked at the yard where i bought him from let slip that he'd hospitalised his previous owner.

Through the power of the HHO forum i managed to track town his old owner with just a first name and a description of her house! It turns out she had sent him to be backed, got him home and he had freaked out whilst she tried to mount. Sadly for her she ended up with life changing injuries. Not a happy end to the story, but the point is Jason was absolutely spot on.
 
I know about 4 people who have sent their horses to Jason to be backed and have been very happy with the results. Horses have come back happy, confident youngsters. One sent an older horse there that had scared her to see if Jason could get anywhere with him. My friend also had to go for some lessons with him. They are both now doing endurance and they will do their first novice season next year. (The horse hadn't done anything awful but was difficult.)

I went to his Autumn camp in September with my young horse. I had only had him a few weeks. I really enjoyed his tuition and found it really useful. I didn't have any problems per se with my horse, we were just going for the polocrosse and gymkhana fun, but we also learnt a lot with the groundwork.

I have the dubious honour of being the only person whose horse has laid down while in a ridden lesson with Jason. My horse found it very tiring and just lay down on the grass without any warning. Didn't try to roll, just wanted a rest. I won the prize for 'Most memorable moment'. Story of my life!
 
Thank you Stilltrying and Tiga for the replies - more great feedback and Iam pleased that you and/or people who you know are now enjoying your horses more. How are you getting on with yours now ST, despite the sad news you received about your horse's past?

I am a bit scared about being found out to be the problem - although my horse had this issue before I bought him so I doubt I am, although I know I probably don't help. I don't want Jason to think I'm incompetent.

I think I just need to go into this with my eyes open, knowing that it will require me to question a lot and be open to change. I wouldn't be spending this amount of time and money if I didn't want it to work and so I want to facilitate it as much as possible. I have already said I will email him a written history of my horse that can be added to his notes so Jason can read through it before seeing him - I am bound to forget things when talking to him and I have plenty of time to reflect on the past few years and put something together.
 
Don't know him but don't be worried. This is a man who makes a living out of sorting problem horses. He sees it every day, you just see the one in front of you. Every single owner makes mistakes with their horses, be it a wrong call on a feed or rug to errors when riding. The good owners try to learn and change!
 
Tash88 said:
Thank you Stilltrying and Tiga for the replies - more great feedback and Iam pleased that you and/or people who you know are now enjoying your horses more. How are you getting on with yours now ST, despite the sad news you received about your horse's past?

I am a bit scared about being found out to be the problem - although my horse had this issue before I bought him so I doubt I am, although I know I probably don't help. I don't want Jason to think I'm incompetent.

I think I just need to go into this with my eyes open, knowing that it will require me to question a lot and be open to change. I wouldn't be spending this amount of time and money if I didn't want it to work and so I want to facilitate it as much as possible. I have already said I will email him a written history of my horse that can be added to his notes so Jason can read through it before seeing him - I am bound to forget things when talking to him and I have plenty of time to reflect on the past few years and put something together.
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I think if you keep an open mind then you will get so much more from it. I didn't think the way i led my horse would relate to the way he reacted when i went to get on him. But it all made sense and worked.

I still have my horse now (the ginger one in my profile pic) he is now 15! It took a long while for him to be 100% to mount at home, but i just kept repeating the process. The only time he gets funny now is if we go somewhere and he gets himself all excited, but he's never actually done anything or had a repeat performance, i can just feel if he is tense that the fear is still buried there somewhere.

Good luck with Jason! : )
 
Tash88 said:
Thanks for the reply... he was recommended to me over other trainers/behaviourists so hopefully he will suit my horse. In what way is he black and white? Is he rude or does he come across that way without meaning to sometimes? I'm going to read all his blogs on the H&H website and see if I can watch some of his programme on Horse & Country TV before my appointment - knowledge is power after all! I have read a couple of his blogs and his approach does seem appropriate, and the waiting list is surely a good sign.
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Sorry I mean black and white in his methods with the horses. Some things can seem harsh or hard, but he is just being clear. He knows what he is doing but his methods aren't for everyone
 
Hi - I sent my boy to Jason to be backed, we had already started him when on the 3rd time of being ridden he suddenly started broncing for *apparently* no reason. Something had obviously upset him and from that moment on he would not let anyone try and get on him so we halted the process and I decided to send him away.
Can not praise Jason and his team enough, as above, he is very clear with them what he is asking and the results speak for themselves, would never hesitate to recommend him for either starting or remedial work. Good luck and let us know how you get on !
 
I've sent 2 horses to Jason for behavioural issues over the last 4 years. One over-sensitive soul who'd had a very hard time before we got him went to learn that life really isn't scary and not everyone is out to get him!. Another who had been broken elsewhere - and not very well - went for re-schooling. Very happy with results for both and would most definitely use again. Next time I have one for breaking I will use Jason despite the fact he is pretty expensive.
 
Thanks for the replies and for reassuring me - I am such a worrier in general and even worse when it comes to my precious horse, so I need to address that and just think that I am doing the right thing for my horse and I. Lots of people just wouldn't bother I suppose.

It is expensive but if it means that I can progress and enjoy my horse more (and be safer in the process), it will be completely worth it. Money is no object and it all depends on who is recommended for me, whether they charge £20 or £150. Jason is £100 a session plus travel based on mileage; luckily I am in Surrey so he isn't a million miles away.

Again it is great to hear all of your stories and positive feedback, thank you all very much.
 
Luci07 said:
Don't know him but don't be worried. This is a man who makes a living out of sorting problem horses. He sees it every day, you just see the one in front of you. Every single owner makes mistakes with their horses, be it a wrong call on a feed or rug to errors when riding. The good owners try to learn and change!
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Brilliant advice - I feel like I should print and stick up in my tack room as a motivational quote!!
 
I sent my boy there to overcome his bronking issues and he's so much better since he's been home (went in sep 2014), can't recommend enough
 
Sounds great - would be fab if you could tell me a little more (over pm if you wish) as your horse's issues sund similar to mine. Thank you Gemma :)
 
Well best of luck, sure it will turn out fine. I came across Jason years ago in a group of people and we had a hilarious weekend (before he was famous - in fact I didn't know if it was the same person but polocross was the clue).

Many trainers of difficult/spoiled/or even not spoiled horses will to our sensitive UK eyes seem to be rather "full on." But what they say is correct. That you must be CLEAR - not sweet or pleading or with anger and what they do will be clear to the horse, even if the first time it has to be "loud."

I went to one session (not Jason) where one horse was just walking all over its owner. After a very short lesson with the trainer it was a reformed character, with the trainer, but the owner had to be prompted to do the same, as the bad behaviour continued with the owner. At a later stage this horse was being troubled by a very large and evil looking flying insect and we spectators could see that the horse was ignoring its owner and looking at the trainer to come and rescue it, which she did. Don't forget that every time you handle your horse, you are training it.
 
pony was backed and desensitised by Jason Webb (not when i had him) but he went from a nutter of a 3/4 year old to the most sane, safe, well-mannered little pony. Would 100% recommend him.
 
Thank you for the replies and PMs (will reply to those properly) - I think it is a rarity on HHO that nobody has anything negative to say or has had a bad experience! I'm apprehensive about my horse's appointment, think that is normal, but overall I am looking forward to it.
 
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