Abi90
Well-Known Member
I have a very lovely rising 8 year old ISH who is an absolute softie. He's the bravest horse out hacking and often leads the older horses through "spooky" situations. His flat work is coming on nicely and he really really tries and is all round a very nice horse...
BUT...
He is terrified of poles and therefore coloured jumps and despite my best (and the more experienced staff on the yard) we are making next to no progress. We've tried the slowly slowly approach by introducing him to them on foot then on the lunge and then ridden. We've tried the just keep doing them until he realised there isn't an issue approach. Normally by the end of a session he's chilled as anything and plods over them happily. But then here is real catch, as soon as you put him back in the stable/field he seems to forget everything and put a pole in front of him again and he goes back to square one.
He had an Irish hunter childhood and has done no real schooling so is very green for his age and whilst he has a fantastic leap in him and will take you into a fence in a genuine manner once he settled its a battle to get there.
This has been on ongoing battle for over 6 months and I don't feel like we are getting anywhere at any rate other than a snails pace. I don't want to give up on him as he is otherwise an absolutely brilliant horse who is coming so nicely in every other way.
I feel he has been frightened at some point or had a bad experience as its not just an uncertainty it is genuine fear of coloured jumping equipment.
If anyone has any suggestions or simply words of encouragement then please let me know!
BUT...
He is terrified of poles and therefore coloured jumps and despite my best (and the more experienced staff on the yard) we are making next to no progress. We've tried the slowly slowly approach by introducing him to them on foot then on the lunge and then ridden. We've tried the just keep doing them until he realised there isn't an issue approach. Normally by the end of a session he's chilled as anything and plods over them happily. But then here is real catch, as soon as you put him back in the stable/field he seems to forget everything and put a pole in front of him again and he goes back to square one.
He had an Irish hunter childhood and has done no real schooling so is very green for his age and whilst he has a fantastic leap in him and will take you into a fence in a genuine manner once he settled its a battle to get there.
This has been on ongoing battle for over 6 months and I don't feel like we are getting anywhere at any rate other than a snails pace. I don't want to give up on him as he is otherwise an absolutely brilliant horse who is coming so nicely in every other way.
I feel he has been frightened at some point or had a bad experience as its not just an uncertainty it is genuine fear of coloured jumping equipment.
If anyone has any suggestions or simply words of encouragement then please let me know!