She look ok? (pic) and some advice wanted please!

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OzzyBuffy

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Here is original thread:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=456782

This is her now, and yes she has a grass belly but she drops to a good weight when restricted:

Twix2-1.jpg


-More pictures from yesterday in the thread link posted above!


As for advice, basically I took her out with my horse in hand the other day (friend was holding the other one) and we only went down the dead end road opposite my yard, about 400ft long max. Very quiet, seldomly see a car. She was ace, apart from a little spooky, so yesterday, I was on my own, so I took just her out, and understandly she was alot more spooky but this time completely uncontrollable. I had been so busy fighting her spinning trying to head home, that I was unaware of the car coming towards us. He could have and should have stopped (spotty teenage boy!), he could see I was struggling with her at the time, you can hardly miss a 15.2/3 jet black horse dancing around in the middle of the road. (And me wearing a bright yellow hi viz) But he kept going and when I spotted him last minute, so did she, and she went absolutely crazy, she was attempting to fly buck, she was half rearing, then she kicked both back legs out at the passing car, luckily missing it. She went into total crazy mode. I half blame myself because I should have always been looking ahead despite trying to fight her, but I was attempting to circle her everytime she got silly with me and put pressure on the lead rope. Eventually she realised this and everytime I tried to circle she would swing out in front of me and do everything in her power to stop me. She became dangerous, and that's not a word I like to use! I can totally understand her reactions but have I pushed her too far by walking her out alone for 400ft? Have I done exactly what I said I didn't want to do, and gone backwards with her? Or is this a reaction that will calm the more I do things?

There is no point me using a pressure halter because its the pressure she fights, and I have a strong instinct that if I use a halter, she will feel even more need to escape my grip. Although I may try it in the yard just to see whether having that extra pressure will make her ''behave'', it's not like she is being naughty, it's just her reacting on her instincts when scared.
 
If she hasn't done a lot then I think it is highly likely that it was high spirits and the car was an excuse to let off steam! Was she in a headcollar or a bridle? I'd recommend using a bridle if she is isn't already and a lunge rein will give you more leeway than a leadrope if she does get a handful.

It might also be worth doing some lungeing/long reining beforehand to get some excess energy out of her and listening to you.

I wouldn't stop taking her out on her own, as well as with a companion, but make it easy for both of you, so start off with a shorter stretch, then head back home gradually increasing the distance, or let her have a graze in hand at a safe point to make it a more relaxing experience.

Forgot to say, she's looking very well!
 
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Thank you, not using a bridle because its been so long since she's been in one and want her too have her teeth done first. It really is a very short stretch but ill try halfing it, I don't want to lunge as she's still under condition a lot and I don't think she would cope
 
If you dont want to lunge is there a small safe area that you could try loose schooling her for a bit first?
If she is feeling very well and full of beans perhaps a bit of a stretch will help her brain more than anything
 
I would use a rope halter and a long line (at least 12 feet long) to give you more chance to get out of her way and/or keep hold of her should she try to bolt. She is looking fab, by the way!
 
Always, always, always lead a horse out in a bridle (if on a road or public bridleway etc). It's simply negligent not to do so.

And as for your little mare generally - company, company, company.
 
Thank you, not using a bridle because its been so long since she's been in one and want her too have her teeth done first. It really is a very short stretch but ill try halfing it, I don't want to lunge as she's still under condition a lot and I don't think she would cope. Thank you for reply though, ill take on board what you have said!
 
Don't know why my phone posted that twice! I don't think its negligent to not lead a horse out in a bridle atall! I completely disagree! How do you get youngsters used to things if they are say 1 years old? And if some of my past horses want to bolt, bitted or not, they certainly would!
 
OzzyBuffy said:
I don't think its negligent to not lead a horse out in a bridle atall! I completely disagree!
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You have far more control with a bridle on a horse, than a headcollar. It's as simple as that really. You should also consider the repurcussions had she actually made contact with the car. It could be said that as the mare was not bitted you were not in full control of her - hence the incident. Which would magnify any insurance claim made against you, as well as any legal proceedings.

How do you get youngsters used to things if they are say 1 years old?
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In my world their usually in the field growing at 1 years old - so it wouldn't be an issue.


And if some of my past horses want to bolt, bitted or not, they certainly would!
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And this is an entirely different scenario to the one you posted about - which asked for advice.

So my advice stands. If you want to take her out - make sure she's bitted. And only take her in company.
 
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OzzyBuffy said:
Thank you, not using a bridle because its been so long since she's been in one and want her too have her teeth done first. It really is a very short stretch but ill try halfing it, I don't want to lunge as she's still under condition a lot and I don't think she would cope
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Hi Ozzybuffy, please don't take this the wrong way, but I get the impression that you might just be being over cautious about handling and working your mare. I would definitely use a bit to lead out, it won't hurt her to be led out in one if she is getting her teeth done soon.

She also looks to be in quite good condition(?) and lungeing will help to develop her muscle and give her something to think about, doing too little with plenty of condition and an active mind can be a bad thing in my experience! You often find that when they feel well they can become a handful and are better with consistant training and work.

I know she was in poor condition when you got her, but sometimes you've got to just get on and get things done and a few minutes at a time won't hurt, if she had the energy to be a twerp being led I think she sounds like she might be ready for something more. ;)
 
Touchstone - thank you, I do understand what your saying :) , however the reason I'm being cautious is because I've never had a mare that was in the condition she was in, and I'm following advice from people on here who said not to work her for ayt least 6 months :s so I'm very confused that's all!
 
I don't think this Horse should be out on the road. If she is as "dangerous" as you say and you are unwilling to put a bridle on then she could seriously hurt you/herself/member of the public. And as Amymay pointed out if she were to kick a car or something you would be held responsible.

My mare is as good as gold to lead, but I will always put a bridle on her no matter how well behaved she is. You have much more control with a bridle then a headcollar.
 
I wouldn't be walking her up and down a straight stretch of road as imo you are setting youself up for failure.

You need a circular route imo.

I also wouldn't be on a public road with that little control over any horse with just a headcollar- what exactly are you aiming to achieve as I think you could achieve more working her at home to start with and then venture out.
 
Use a bridle, you will have more control, try lunging or loose schooling fist to wear her out, then when she has got rid of the freshness she should be more willing to cooperate with serious work!
 
amymay said:
Always, always, always lead a horse out in a bridle (if on a road or public bridleway etc). It's simply negligent not to do so.
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Completely agree!! where i work, it makes the YO's blood boil when the liverys do not bring their horses in from the field without a bridle (have to come down a road) years ago, one horse was playing up like this, got loose and ran down this road which happens to lead onto a very very busy fast road. had she have had a bridle on, chances are it wouldnt have got loose onto this road.

my mare is the same, she acts like a complete twit when i walk her out alone, i do not take her on the main road, just round the little lane outside the yard. Some people may not agree with what i do but it works for me. If she messes around and puts me in danger (as she did sunday night!) she gets a bloomin good telling off! i cannot abide horses messing about on top of me and pulling and pushing. i dont mind her having a jog etc, aslong as its out of my space.
 
I apologise for getting my back up, but the word neglect really upsets me as I never want to feel like I've neglected her. And as for the straight road- I have no choice, the only circular route is very very long and far to long for her to do, especially with the roads. And as I mentioned, road I led her up wasa extremely quiet, very rarely see a car, infact, was first time ever! I can't just not walk her out incase she's dangerous, or shell never get used to it but definately will put a bridle on her next time and see what response I get. Will also attempt a lunge for 2 minutes before hand. Ifll take all advice on board and give It a go.
 
Knowone said you neglected her, you can tell she is not negleted from your photo as she is lovely. The word used was negligent, which (correct me if I am wrong) means failer to do something, so in this case you are Negligent for not putting a bridle on.

I think lungin first would make a huge difference :) good luck
 
OzzyBuffy said:
Touchstone - thank you, I do understand what your saying :) , however the reason I'm being cautious is because I've never had a mare that was in the condition she was in, and I'm following advice from people on here who said not to work her for ayt least 6 months :s so I'm very confused that's all!
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Hi again, I think that as with everything to do with horses the answer is that it depends upon the individual horse.:)

We had one that had been extremely neglected, bred a foal and not fed at all over winter. Within a month of decent feed and good grazing that horse was in good condition and full of herself and was broken and ridden away with no problems shortly afterwards.

If your horse's condition is good, providing there are no other physical issues I can't see that physically working will do any harm as long as fitness is built up gradually. It only takes 9 -12 weeks to bring an unfit horse up to full fitness. Psychological issues, if there are any may take more time/patience but firm and fair handling with routine is often the best thing to build a horse's confidence.

Your horse looks very well and I wouldn't be too concerned about doing more with her.
 
I would try lunging her before you take her out, as suggested to burn off a bit of energy, clearly she needs to be doing something. I would be doing light work with her now - shes looking okay now :) just build it up slowly.
I have a control halter i use with mine and believe me i have more control in one of these than a bridle, i have a very (once) bargy 3yr cob and a flightly TB who likes to rear - they really respect a rope halter, you have zero control in a standard headcollar. You need to do a bit of work with her in hand in a safe area wearing one before you take her out and if you do not know how to use one correctly maybe get somebody to show you?
Also invest in a long rope (22ft) so at least if she does rear etc you have more leverage.
Good luck :D
 
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