Outing nerves

R

risky business

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 April 2010
Messages
2,437
Location
kent
Visit site
Hello all,

Following my hunter trial report I've got a small question to ask you guys in hope that someone may have some suggestions for me.

My little horse is only 5 years old and prior to me buying him in july he'd only ever been out to events/shows twice. Since I've owned him I spent the first 6 weeks just getting to know him better as I used to exercise him prior to me buying anyway and then started getting him out on the regular.

I've kept everything small whilst I build up confidence and us as a team and he is going well. I have noticed though that he does get quite nervous when out at events. Now don't get me wrong he isn't misbehaving in anyway but just becomes quite tense and if doing anything jumping has a tendency to let the nerves get to him at times resulting in a knocked pole or refusal as he kind of just gets stage fright.

Now I know this is just something that should improve by us keep getting out there and taking things at a steady pace. But is there anything else I can do to help him feel more comfortable whilst out and about? I always travel him with hay and always arrive in good time so he can chill and eat before I start fussing him. I give him extra time to warm up and have a wander of the grounds so he can have a good nosey or spook if he wishes. Of course telling him he's brilliant the whole time.

Just wondered if there was any trade secrets I may be missing with it?
 
Last year my boy used to get quite anxious and would paw the ground, snatch at his haynet and not stand still when he arrived at a venue. I used calming cookies by equine edge for a while and they did seem to work. I tried a few other management things but those were only to deal with the symptoms, but those (the cookies) seemed to help with the root cause.
 
You're basically doing the right thing. Gentle repetition so it becomes, if not boring, then "samey" and nothing to worry about. If you have a keen jumper though, you're well advised to do some outings where there are no jumps involved, otherwise very quickly Outings = Exciting and you have a whole other set of things to deal with! You have to remember that not only is your horse young, but your "team" is young so both need to mature before you push the envelope too far. Also, do you get nervous? Because your horse will read that too of course. Maybe human calming cookies could help? (PS If they make them, I want them!)
 
Definitely recommend the Calming Cookies aswell! Same as vhf about a jumper - definitely a few outings where nothing happens is great confidence boost for them! My 5 year was very wound up on outings with lots of other horses at them cause he had been hunted a few times & thought every outing was a pony party!!!

So I did a good few outings just walking around the show grounds or the warm up & then back in the box, stand around for a bit - and then home. He settled really well doing this a good few times in a row cause he realised outings werent very exciting!!! He loves a pony party though & the only horse I've known to scream the place down when he has to leave - will happily stand in the box for hours just taking it all in & doesnt even chat much, but as soon as you go to leave - he has to tell EVERYONE goodbye!!! :D:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top