Nervous rescue pony

L

Lucycn

New User
Joined
8 February 2014
Messages
8
Visit site
I have just rescued a moor pony, and he is very nervous of people. He is ok to touch his neck, he is anxious around his face and kicks if you go near his back end. He's only 4, and I'm in no hurry with him so am just slowly smoothing him and allowing him to get used to me. He isnt sure what titbits are so it's difficult to use food as a motivation, he is also too nervous to eat anything when people are around him. Normally I'd just allow him to fit in with my other horses routine, in at night out, in the day (he is fine to lead and catch strangely) to maintain some contact with him but he has dried up muck in clumps on his belly which I'm concerned may cause sores. He's really unhappy if I touch him there - so my question is, do I leave it to grow out and hope there's nothing nasty under the muck or do I try and get it off and if so how?! Thanks. Any other tips on gaining trust would be good too, although I've had horses for years this is the first semi feral pony I've had!
 
Has he still got his winter coat on? If so I'd leave the muck to grow out.

As for gaining trust I'd suggest remembering to do everything round him at pretty much half speed and lowering the tone of your voice and don't ever go as far as to make him back off. Let him take his own time, especially if you can catch him at the moment. Also it's surprising what he'll learn from watching how yours behave, so make sure when you're handling yours, picking up feet, grooming etc that he can see what's happening - and then when you want to do the same with him use the same words and tone of voice.
 
Keep chatting to him, go in and out of his presence as frequently as you can and let him see you handling other horses if possible. Keep your body lanquage quiet and unthreatening so head down, shoulders low and walk at an angle to him. His natural curiosity will likely get the better of him soon and he will be along to inspect you. I would ignore the clumpy coat for a while though, he isn't going to die of it. Offer him bum and wither scratches rather than stroking or patting him, especially on his face. Once you can scratch a small area you can expand it down the muscles. Keep chatting, even if you are only telling him what is on your shopping list. I've always found that horses in particular are hypnotised by conversation and nod off quickly.
 
Just go slowly and handle everyday, My little horse arrived completely untouched and I just started handling him in the field scratching his neck and he slowly came around. Always end on a good note. My one was pretty easy once he realized that humans could really scratch, he started presenting bits that were itchy. Once they are halter broken and you can lead them about its pretty easy to build up the trust.
 
Invest in Sarah Westons book "No Fear No Force". She's been there done it got the tee shirt and is on here from time to time so if anything needs clarification you can ask her.
 
Was going to recommend Sarah Weston's book too, but the poster above beat me to it! No Fear No Force is full of practical tips and techniques for taming semi feral horses, but the same techniques also apply to any horse nervous of handling or humans. It's a great investment at just £16 - cheaper than a lesson! http://www.logicalhorsemanship.co.uk/?page_id=21
 
I have a horse who sounds much like yours. If you look through my posts you will find her under the heading "filthy". I had to wait until she moulted the muck out because there was no way of getting it off. As for her trust issues, she wasn't quite as bad as yours but did have issues with people. I just did things a little at a time but did something every day. She now trusts me completely, I can do anything with her. One of the biggest problems was picking her back feet up without getting myself kicked, I did this using a walking stick. Rubbing it all over her until she wasn't scared of it and eventually lifting her foot with it. Only up then back down at first then increasing the time held up. Eventually moving onto my hand. She's fine with it now, even clipping her feathers off. Everything slowly and you will be fine.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice. The book is on order!
I brought him in today and he watched while I groomed and picked out the feet of my horse so he saw it was a positive thing. When I groomed him I was able to gently rub my hands down his front legs without him being so jumpy so I think that's a positive start... Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top