Meet Henry :) ... And His BIG Problem ..

tonitot

tonitot

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Me and a friend have bought a little pony together :) His name is Henry, he's about 12hh chestnut gelding and about 7 years old. We think he's a Shetland x maybe Newforest or something similar. Heres some pics of him :)

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Now for his problem ... he is absolutly terrified of us, not just us but all people he doesnt know. We think he may have been beaten up in the past but his previous owner was lovely and was able to handle him, but you cant get a vet or farrier near him so he hasnt had his feet done for ages and theyre well overdue a trim. We can take him out to the field beause we cant get a headcollar on him (he did have one on but Ted took it off -_- ) and so hes stuck in his stable. If you try to get near him he run away, turning his bum on you but he never kicks. He tried to shoot past me yesterday and for some stupid reason I stuck my arm out which freaked him out completely and he reared up and knocked me over (landed right on my bum .. very sore now especially after riding 5 racehorses today!) but we dont really know how to get around him as hes going to be a lot harder to bring round than we first thought.
When we go in with him we dont face him and walk backwards towards him slowly, sometiems it works, sometimes it doesnt. We've been using food to try and tempt him but he takes a bite and runs off again :/

Does anyone have any other ideas on how to try and get his confidence up around people? I'm going down to see him in a min but will be able in around an hour so will check back here then. Thanks in advance if anyone can help :)
 
What a cutie and what a shame he is so nervous!

I saw countryfile recently, and the bloke on there has exmoors. He had Kelly Marks come and 'see' one of the youngsters which was pretty much unhandled. She went in its stable (large) walked slowly up to it, then just before it would have turned away (if you know what i mean) she backed off. She went from the side in a non threatening manner.

She did this for quite a while, gradually getting closer, and backing off just at the right time. Eventually, the pony had a headcollar put on.

He sounds like he needs desensitizing - maybe you could spend some non threatening time in his stable? If he is saf, maybe take a box to sit on and a book and put some food by where you are sitting and stay for an hour or so?

Good luck with him!
 
Take a stool and a book into his stable, sit there and ignore him and read away. Before long he will start coming over to you, keep ignoring and he will start to explore you, keep ignoring then you should be able to start with a riendly scratch under the chin , if he retreats go back to ignoring him. It may take a few days but this has worked for me if they are not fruit loop in the stable.

Worth a try anyway. Good luck.
 
I'd recommend taking a book and sitting in the corner of his box - try to literally ignore him for about 30 minutes... It might be worth putting a carrot on the floor next to you. Ponies are usually quite nosy when they think there is no threat, so he may come towars you for a bit of a sniff or to steal the carrot! Be patient, and repeat for a few days. If he does come over, I'd recommend not trying to get a head collar on or anything, just try to let him know you're not an evil monster! Good luck, and keep us posted! oh, and he's gorgeous!
 
This is one I've used and it did make a big difference. Takes a long tiime though and you need patience (and maybe a book). Just sit in the corner of the stable; don't talk and deffinatly don't look at him. It helps if you wear a cap with a peak so you can hide your eyes but can still see his feet. Let everyone know that you are not to be distrubed at all as you can't talk!! Thats it just sit and wait. After about 20 min his curiosity will start to kick in and he may start looking at you/moving closer. It hay take an hour or even longer but eventually he will come and sniff you. You can touch him back but only if he touches you first and stop if you think he dosn't like it. It takes time but it is rewarding and he can come to you on his terms. This is a big barrier crossed for him.
 
He looks lovely. You could try tying a stuffed glove on the end of a broom handle and by moving it really slowly get him used to being touched on his shoulder and then work your way up to his head. You can then work your way slowly closer until he trusts you enough for you to touch him. Have seen it work on two horses at our yard and both could be handled within a week. Good luck with him and let us know how you get on ...
 
Another one here for sitting in the stable minding your own business!
It takes a whole lot of patience but is worth it!
Ponies are too damned nosey for their own good and he will soon come up to you to say hello.
 
As others have said, give him time, be calm and quiet and matter of fact around him and let him come to you.

The hand on the pole is good, but I wouldn't rush to do anything with him - let him get used to the idea of being relaxed with you just sitting there doing nothing first before trying anything else. Be patient, and make sure each stage is rock solid before moving on to the next one.

He's still pretty young, relatively speaking, so hopefully he will come around with time:)
 
It doesnt sound like he's been beaten to me, it sounds like he's wild!

ive had a couple of nf foals straight off the forest before and this is exactly how they behave.

even now as a 3yo one of mine is happy with me handling him, ties up excellent with farrier, vet and my mum, but anyone new - and his eyes pop out on stalks and he'll run away especially if people march up to him too confidently. If you are slow and calm, keep coming and going from his stable, bring him hay and sit next to it so he has to get used to you, as build up slowly from there.

i used to face the other way sitting down not looking at him and after a while he would inch his way closer and 'bump' his nose into my back and run away to see if the monster (me!) would eat him. Obviously i didnt, and that gave him confidence and he got braver.

I think it wil take time and a LOT of patience, but you will get there
 
Is your stable enough for another small best friend and very friendly to people and horses to share?

A friend I have gets very wild just weaned youngsters. She has a couple of old small ponies that know their job and they go into a large stable. They soon realise that old pony goes over immediately for attention and within a few days they follow. By the end of the week she can get a head collar on them and give them a scratch. Second week they go to the small paddock following old pony. Old pony then teaches them to come to call for nice grub and to come in.

They spend a lot of time in the stable and pottering around the field so they get used to people being around.

Maybe also for the first vet visit ask for some sedative you can put in the feed to just calm them a little.

It is harder with one that has been mistreated, but if you take it slowly and handle them gently but also confidently they normally will settle down but it can take months, especially if you don't have an older one to teach them that folks are nice.
 
Just another thought - don't forget to wear your riding hat, especially if you are going to sit on the floor as that will put your head right at kick level!
 
if I was near you, I would suggest aromatherapy would really help this poor chap gain confidence, as well as the sitting in with him. You can buy pre-diluted oils at holland and barratt and places, and if you can, get hold of some neroli diluted. While you sit there, hold the bottle, but place a bit of the oil onto the lid, so he gets the scent - may help you to build up some trust. Gradually he may come forward to sniff, and then you can hold the bottle (very tight) near his nostrils and let him breathe it in.

Another idea is to put some drops of Rescue Remedy (three or four) in a handful of feed in a bucket.

Hope that helps, pm if you want to. sm x
 
Humas height often intimidates horses. People who have suggested taking a stool in and just sitting with him is a good idea, but you need to be lower than him, other wise he will still be intimidated. I would try jusy sitting down on the floor with a book(or whatever you want), completely ignoring him, with food out infront of you. When he comes forward and takes the food, dont move and just ignore him. Let him step back etc, then take a bit more out of your pocket, put it infront of you, but a bit closer.. untill its literally at your feet. When he comes for th efood, you must keep ignoring him. Once you are happy with the progress, slowly stand up and leave. Dont make eye contact with him, and completely ignor him. After about a week of doing this(possibly even twice a day), he will become intrigued, and expect food so will come to you whist your sat down. After a while you can just hold your hand out with food on and wait for him to come and take it from you. If you want him to be 'normal' again, it will take alot of time and patience, but trust me it will pay off. Best of luck with him x
 
Ditto sit in the stable with him :) with a book a few apples to munch on yourself.....he'll get crious over time, it's just time and patience :)

He looks a sweety tho!
 
He is such a complete cutie! i love his cheeky little face!

As everyone above has said.....take a stool, a good book and food for yu, apples/treats for the pony and be prepared for some long evenings just sat in the stable.
The more time you can spend just talking to him, being around the yard and other ponies the better then they get used to the sound of your voice and will see other horses interacting with you and will see that you are not a monster!
Wear a hat though, they may not mean to hurt you but sometimes fear gets the better of them.
We had some dartmoors straight off the moor, 2 of them when i was young, me and a friend shared them. They were completely wild and un handled. It took time ( a fair bit of it) but they turned out to be cracking ponies. Just companions now but really really lovely to handle.
We used to sit in their stable for hours talking between ourselves. Reading and putting food on the ground near us for them.
Within a week they would nuzzle us, and then jog over to the far corner of the stable.
By the end of the second week they would edge their way over and we could lift our hands and touch their nose. And by the end of the next week, they decided that carrots and apples were far too irrisistable and would stand their whilst we put a head collar on.
They were then turned out with my friends pony and we did the same in the field. Sitting in the field. When my friends pony came over they came too and within 6 months we were leading them in and out of the field in a headcollar and lead rope.
It took 6 months but it was actually so rewarding watching them gain trust in us.

Just take everything really really slowly. He will be a lovely pony.
 
Cute :)
My old pony was like this, although was very nervous with previous owners as well ( was beaten up, not sure when though)
Anyway, to start with i sat in his field (he was out 24/7) and i would just sit near ish to him, not too close- what ever he was comfortable with... and i slowly moved closer to him over the days- but didn't push him, just what he was happy with... he soon started being interested in what i was up to and started getting closer to me... it was a slow process but i was lying on the floor one day pretty much asleep when he walked very slowly up to me and gave me a nudge... i didn't move, just opened my eyes- i didn't want to startle him, he then started grazing by me and i then got up, he was still wary of me but i was able to stroke him- but i came from beside him so was touching his withers... i then walked away. He soon was ok with me around him and he started to trust me, but he still didn't trust anyone else...
It just takes time but works out much better than forcing him to accept you. :)
 
Chances are I'm going to get murdered for this one but here goes. I'm not a big fan of the sitting quietly in the corner. Henry needs to learn not just that people aren't bad but that noises and movement around him etc is going to happen and he won't die.

If your sitting quietly not doing anything, granted he's going to come to you, but the split second you move he's off and what's he's learned is that someone sitting still etc is unpredictable and something he should be a bit wary off.

I'm all for ignoring him but i'd be inclined to ignore him but just going into his stable and do what you've to do. Find jobs. Don't look at him, don't go near him just muck out, move water buckets, fix haynets, muck out again, brush the walls whatever.

He'll become less sensitive to 'activity and movement' and he'll be recognising that although your shifting around etc your not harming him and he's not dying. If your able to 'brush past' or make small contact etc all the better but don't go looking for it. Basically if it looks like your going to brush up against him with your back then just keep going. Importantly you've given him the CHOICE to either move or to have tiny contact. But either way your letting him have a bit of control without startling him. He'll actually get a lot of comfort into your confidence around him. No drama, no fuss just life going on around him.

It will take a while there is no doubt about it but in the long run it will be for the better. Objects like black bags will look stationary but will blow in the wind but he'll have learned that its okay it doesn't mean he's going to get eaten.
 
I actually agree with minxie. With my wild youngster we just carried on as normal. Mucked her out, fed her etc and eventually she was curious as to what we were doing. We would stand talking to her over the stable door but would not attempt to stroke her unless she wanted us to. It took a couple of weeks but now I have a youngster that is in your face. She loves attention and is the first at the gate when its time to come in. It just takes time and patience but he will eventually come round
 
Brandy said:
What a cutie and what a shame he is so nervous!

I saw countryfile recently, and the bloke on there has exmoors. He had Kelly Marks come and 'see' one of the youngsters which was pretty much unhandled. She went in its stable (large) walked slowly up to it, then just before it would have turned away (if you know what i mean) she backed off. She went from the side in a non threatening manner.

She did this for quite a while, gradually getting closer, and backing off just at the right time. Eventually, the pony had a headcollar put on.

He sounds like he needs desensitizing - maybe you could spend some non threatening time in his stable? If he is saf, maybe take a box to sit on and a book and put some food by where you are sitting and stay for an hour or so?

Good luck with him!
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That sounds like a good idea especially spending time just being with him.

Most of the time horses are not in our company so it's a mtracle they put up with us when we are there.

Their natural instinct is to fear predators. Imagine what you';d be like if a massive tarantula came into your hime. That';s what it seems like to him atm.
 
Thanks guys have been looking on this reguarly but havent gotten round to replying yet. I spent a while with him last night reading my book :) He did get curious and was eating my boots but I had to stay still because any sudden movement no matter small made him shoot backwards. So I just sat there and read and left him alone except for feeding him the odd carrot :) Was hoping with that we could get closer over time and I hoped his other owner would do the same.

Other owner has now decided to ask someone where we work to go down and try and get a headcollar on him :| I dont think it'll work and that it'll stress him out having someone completly new trying to touch around his head and I told her this but she just insisted that if he got stressed she'd ask the person to leave. Just got a text saying shes gone off to the garage and will then go home and has left person down there with him >:( I know we havent gotten very far with him so its not far to go back but its annoying knowing that he'll be more stressed. Fair enough if person does get a headcollar on him then I'll take it back, but I dont see the rush as he cant get out and the only reason other owner wants one on him is so she can stroke him :/

I will carry on as I have been whether or not he has a headcollar on, but this has annoyed me a bit :/

Thanks to everyone who gave me the idea :) Lets hope it works :D
 
Well done for getting that far :)
Shame about the other person... I must say when I read that you bought him together I thought eek I hope they don't disagree over anything... Hope it all goes well though xx
 
Katie__Connie said:
Well done for getting that far :)
Shame about the other person... I must say when I read that you bought him together I thought eek I hope they don't disagree over anything... Hope it all goes well though xx
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Haha, we normally have the same ideas so it should work out well, just she wants him to turn into a cuddly pony she can have fun with asap .. whereas I'd rather give him more time and let him come to us.
 
Looks like Shetland x Sec A to me

best thing to do wiht this lad might be to get a chair and a book, a flask of tea and sit in the stable reading the book and drinking the tea. Let him come to you. Accept any grooming he offers and don;t try to draw him to you, let him come

There is a lovely book describing rehabilitation with just such a horse by Adam Golding, a UK author, it is called "Whispering Back"

Don;t worry about his feet too much - it is more important that he gets a positive experience than they are done quickly. If you can find a UKNHCP trimmer in your area you should think about using them as they are all trainied in horse behavior and are very patient.

Good luck, he's a wee smasher!
 
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