naughty bad rearing horse update

[R2R]

Hi Guys,

I spoke to my big man friend (!!!) last night who has agreed to come and long rein him past the spot for me, just to see what he does. I also spoke to a horse whispering person (!!) who asked me if I was his fourth owner (I am) and said its always fourth ownered horses who have the problems and it is likely to do with a major confidence issue (him not me) which makes sense – he is fine with company, at shows he is always fantastic in the warm up but not so in the ring etc, he prefers to go behind – basically he is just not trusting me and hopefully if I work on the groundwork with him, it will give him more confidence when I am in the saddle. At the moment he trusts other horses more than he trusts me.

It is (thanking another forum member) also known as a 'streak' in his bloodlines (Ramiro)

So I am going to do lots of ground work and take my time a bit, and try to develop a bit of a bond with him (even if it takes bribery), I realised this morning that whilst my old horse would do lateral work bareback in a headcollar, and I could lead him down to the field with no rope, perhaps my bond is not so strong with this horse (I have only really had him a couple of months, and as my own for a month, and it is entirely my fault for rushing about all winter). I am not doing happy clappy stuff but will start to take a bit more time with making friends with him on the ground, my big man friend (!!!) will long rein him this weekend in the school and then up the lane (I will never ever hold him if he has a tantrum and big man friend is very experienced in long reining and ground work) and see how it goes.

Thank you for all of your advice, it has made me feel a lot better, I have taken many aspects and will be considering them and putting them into practice

 

[MrsMozart]

Well done, sounds all very positive

.

My neds like me to be in a stable reading a book. They come over and stand with me, heads down and half asleep

. I also find that if I just ride Dizz and don't do any of the grooming etc. (I get a Daughter to do it when I don't have time), Dizz is a heck of a lot less responsive to me. When I take the time to brush her mane, etc., she turns her head to me so as I can do her forlock, but for anyone else she raises her head out of the way, then when I ride she is far more interested in what I want.

Look forward to your update after the weekend

 

[catdragon]

I always feel guilty if I don't spend some quiet time with Bonnie. She took a long while to trust me and I am loathe to lose it now we have that bond. She enjoys me just being in the stable prattling around, and is in heaven when I just give her a scratch or a groom...she's come a long way since our 1st encounters when she wouldn't even trust me to brush her. Taking time to get to "know" one another is definately worth it in the long term. She happily eats hay or follows me around the stable. I never tie up to groom or tack up and Bonnie drops her head to be tacked up/head collar on, which I find slightly amusing bearing in mind she's only 15.2 and I am 5'10"

But I find it sweet nonetheless.

Good luck with your lad, I hope that he soons learns to trust you.

 

[messenger]

Hiya, I am soooooooooooooooooo pleased you are getting somewhere and wish you all the very best. I only know about the naughty Ramiro streak as my Ramiro was on holiday livery with a professional show jumper who said they are renowned for being tricky, particularly sharp and spooky! All the things I don't particularly like in such big horses!

Will be thinking of you over the next few months and please do keep me updated....PM me if you want.

I'll change my siggy photo's this weekend so you can see my KWPN whose sire is the very famous dressage stallion Florestan I but mothers side is Ramiro! God, you just knew the tricky side would come from a woman didn't you

x

 

[Firewell]

Ah thats so good. Im sure you will get it sorted and he'll be so fab

. BTW just a thought but the girl that rode him isnt the same girl who rode Jt is it?

I had an intelligent horsemanship person help me with my old mare who was insecure. I never believed in that sort of thing before but it really helped.

It takes soooooo long to get to know a horse as well. I have to remind my self sometimes about that with Jt. It will all be worth while when your flying over those massive fences on your amazing horse

 

[Puzzles]

Well done for a) not being afraid to ask for help, b) listening to your horse, and c) being open-minded enough to look at other options. Good luck and keep us all updated - I hope the situation continues to look up for you!

 

[monkeymad]

Glad its working out. I have used a natural horseman for loading issues, and altho' I was sceptical, I have to say that I found the groundwork fascinating. It really is all about respect and the horse listening to you and trusting you. Good luck!

 

[Gingerwitch]

Please take your time with this one. The horse sounds very similar to my big lad - he would nap very badly on his own - at the same place at his old yard - incedently that was a bridge !. He was perfect in every other way - but he just was not "a horse" - it has taken 2 years to strip away at his "defecnces" and if only he could talk.....! it has become obvious that he had been very very badly treated and bullied by some person/persons in his past and it almost seamed like he was pushing me to find out what i would resort too.

You could not stand in the school with him when i first got him - he was impossible to lunge, and free school - he would just hide in the corner.

Returning him to his stable after excercise was scary- he would run to the furthest part of the stable and "hide" - feed times were a nightmare as he would lunge at you to get the feed - and at 17hh - its not funny !

So basically what i am trying to say is - give the chap a break for a few months - you could make such a huge differance in getting to know him over this time - take him out in company if that works - give him the time to at least begin to trust you - even though it realistically could take years- just dont take a confrontation on that you dont have too at this moment.

As to the long lining - i think that is a great idea if you are in front with him - out of harms way of course - and be there with plenty of praise and a few treats when you get the reactions you want.

Good luck and the old saying is - it usually takes a horse 10 mins to work something out - this is 9 mins longer than the human will allow him!

keep us posted - and dont push this one too hard until you can get an inckling into his past!