Pole work - horse is a little scared.

[VoyPor]

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Hi everyone - i am trying to train one of our horses to jump.

I started off last night with a single pole on the floor (not raised) which i tried to walk him up to last night - but he planted himself before getting to the pole (5 metres away).

I got on him and put my leg on and took him closer to the pole whilst giving encouragement to make him feel relaxed.

The strange thing is he went over the pole twice - but for the rest of the time - he ran out and went to the left or the right of the pole.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Thanks.

 

[Fionafaye]

Try leading him over the pole first, when he goes over it give him plenty of praise and possibly even a treat. Do this several times until he is comfortable with it. Then get someone to lead him over when you are on his back once again give lots of praise. Repeat this until he happy with this too. Then try doing it without being led. Hope this helps.

 

[charlie55]

Yes, dont just use one pole, it may sound silly but its the same as the horse seeing a scary plastic bag in a tree, its all on its own and very scary!!!

My advice would be to put down three or four trotting poles, dont make him walk over them at first, let him walk between them, after a while he will get used to them. But just one pole will scare the crap out of him

I would also lead him over them before you ride over, once he has gone over them then give him a pat, let him get confident with you on the ground at first...That way you will get bitten by the poles before he will lol

Good luck x

 

[Bowen4Horses]

let him see you walk over them a few times... i often 'trot' myself over scary stuff...

 

[VoyPor]

Good advice thank you.

charlie55 - i didn't think of it like that - very helpful.

Thanks.

 

[lilylotus]

Agree with everyone on this but I've started using something called ground pole holders. You get them from Kelowna Equestrian and are really beneficial.

They hold the poles in place on the ground (hence the name) and prevent them from moving around if your horse taps them and if he's having issues with the poles as it is it will prevent any furhter scaryness for him.

Tim Stockdale said they were good and clearly his opinion is better than mine!!

 

[sherbet]

Try putting a pole in a place he has to go near every day eg outside his stable so every time he goes in or out he has to walk over. Helped my boy.

 

[Tnavas]

School him with poles laid all over the place so that he gets to see them, then make a course to walk around and then over. If they become part of the normal schooling routine he will get used to them.

I once had a horse that was a total wimp over poles but went on to jump anything in sight with no trouble. A little quiet perseverence.