Dry Rot
Well-Known Member
I bought a 4yo Highland gelding back in June that is inclined to have what I can only describe as panic attacks. He is a total contrast to our home breds!
He was purchased from the breeder off the hill at 2 from a large herd, then sold on at 4 due to the owner's personal circumstances. After a couple of months, he was sold on again to me being described as one that could be broken in a week. That owner is apparently also very experienced. Three months on and he is still subject to panic attacks, but we are making progress even though it is very very slow!
The first owner obviously did a good job and the pony can be groomed, feet lifted, walked over plastic, plywood, and onto a pallet, etc. BUT he is inclined to panic at specific things.
We started him using conventional training as he was descibed as having been long reined. He lunged OK but would occassionally spook. Long reining was not a great success and involves a series of mini bucks, though we were definitely making progress. He went well the last time, just long reins, head collar, and roller. He is quite good on voice commands. I can free lunge him with the voice and body language, ntil the next panic atack! Having said that, he is a gentleman. He doesn't bite, rear, or kick. Put back in a mixed herd of half a dozen mares and geldings, he appeared to be way down on the bottom of the peck order. A visiting professional described him as looking as if he was expecting something bad to happen all the time.
As I've said, he is prone to panic attacks. He suddenly took a dislike to the saddle and would not have it near him. Then the lunge line. Then the mounting block. We've overcome each of these in turn using slow and soft techniques. Next, he spooked at the roller, wanting to run off when it is tightened (even though very softly and slowly). We've left it on in the hope that he'll get used to it but he is extremely spooky about it being handled. I've now discovered he is very stick shy. Leaning a stick 18 inches from his feed bowl is OK, but move it six inches and he is off like a shot! (yeah, I thought that too...
).
Having successfully trained hawks and dogs to a very high standard for over 40 years (not bragging, just explaining), I have infinite patience and time is not a factor. I am also very 'softly-softly' in my approach which does not mean I'm a push over either! So I've gone right back to basics and spend a lot of time with him just talking, stroking, and tidbitting.
My questin is this: Will he ever come right? Is there anything I can do to hasten the process? Is it too late to return him to the seller? Though I'm not likely to do the last as he is basicaly a nice honest chap, but I do believe he was missold and I have evidence in writing. Something has happened for sure and it would help if I knew what, but I suspect I am just going to have to work blind on this unless the wisdom of HHO can come to my rescue! Any ideas?
He was purchased from the breeder off the hill at 2 from a large herd, then sold on at 4 due to the owner's personal circumstances. After a couple of months, he was sold on again to me being described as one that could be broken in a week. That owner is apparently also very experienced. Three months on and he is still subject to panic attacks, but we are making progress even though it is very very slow!
The first owner obviously did a good job and the pony can be groomed, feet lifted, walked over plastic, plywood, and onto a pallet, etc. BUT he is inclined to panic at specific things.
We started him using conventional training as he was descibed as having been long reined. He lunged OK but would occassionally spook. Long reining was not a great success and involves a series of mini bucks, though we were definitely making progress. He went well the last time, just long reins, head collar, and roller. He is quite good on voice commands. I can free lunge him with the voice and body language, ntil the next panic atack! Having said that, he is a gentleman. He doesn't bite, rear, or kick. Put back in a mixed herd of half a dozen mares and geldings, he appeared to be way down on the bottom of the peck order. A visiting professional described him as looking as if he was expecting something bad to happen all the time.
As I've said, he is prone to panic attacks. He suddenly took a dislike to the saddle and would not have it near him. Then the lunge line. Then the mounting block. We've overcome each of these in turn using slow and soft techniques. Next, he spooked at the roller, wanting to run off when it is tightened (even though very softly and slowly). We've left it on in the hope that he'll get used to it but he is extremely spooky about it being handled. I've now discovered he is very stick shy. Leaning a stick 18 inches from his feed bowl is OK, but move it six inches and he is off like a shot! (yeah, I thought that too...
).Having successfully trained hawks and dogs to a very high standard for over 40 years (not bragging, just explaining), I have infinite patience and time is not a factor. I am also very 'softly-softly' in my approach which does not mean I'm a push over either! So I've gone right back to basics and spend a lot of time with him just talking, stroking, and tidbitting.
My questin is this: Will he ever come right? Is there anything I can do to hasten the process? Is it too late to return him to the seller? Though I'm not likely to do the last as he is basicaly a nice honest chap, but I do believe he was missold and I have evidence in writing. Something has happened for sure and it would help if I knew what, but I suspect I am just going to have to work blind on this unless the wisdom of HHO can come to my rescue! Any ideas?
