Some advice needed please.

Eliza2009

Eliza2009

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I have a young kwpn warmblood - 27 months. I have been with horses riding since I was 4/5 years old.

I have in the past owned a range of horses and ponies ranging from child's ponies to 17.2.hh hunters. I have been out of the game for about 5 years till last year, when i bought my dream horse to be.

I have always been a little nervus on the ground due to some bad experiences on the ground with riding school ponies. And for some reason they are starting to rear their ugly head how I have my youngester. I am wondering if anyone could give me some advice about how i can handle these nerves - shakes when i am handling my horse. She is about 16.2/16.3 hh and generally not a malicious horse...sometimes abit stand offish but I think it is to do with her 1st year of seasons. She gets grumpy.

What I wanting to know is, will she grow out of these over the winter, calm down the more i handle her and start the breaking process.

I plan over the winter to do the following,

Get her more mannered - she is kinda well mannered at the moment but just has her silly times.
Get her quiet for the farrier - we have had some problems even though i have tried to work on it.
Lunge and long rein her and introduce her to pole work.
I am planning to back her as a 3 year old which will be in June 2012. Then ride her away in the school and around our yards fields.

I have no problems with the idea of riding her it is just getting the ground work sorted and me more confiden with it all. The thing is i can lunge and long rein other horses of the same size with no problems or fears.

Is it psycological on my part and I am just being silly? Could anyone help me with some ideas on how I can over come this please. I love my baby to pieces and want to do the best for her. Eventually doing in hand next year - followed by ridden hunter and dressage in 2013 followed by jumping in 2014 ?( she will be 5/6).

Any comments would be much appriciated please.
 
You need to conquer your nerves before you attempt any work with your youngster. We can't fake who we are and horses are experts and picking up how we feel. If you're worried, even if you think you are doing a good job of hiding it, she will pick it up.

Try working her with someone confident, calm and experienced. Be part of what's going on but don't take on all the responsability while you are feeling nervous. As you grow in confidence I am sure your nerves will disappear and together you will make a good team.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the info, but the big problem I have is I don't really have anyone to support me on my yard. They don't seem to want to help me as I have more experience than most and ususally ask me questions/ for help.

Her size as well seems to put people off. As she is one of the largest on the yard.

I can't afford to have lessons at the moment - but my partner is really supportive and helps out when he can.
I just think I am over analysing the problem... as most of my yard mates think I have a the confidence.
 
She is a bit over 2 yrs old, how much handling is she getting now?. Is she turned out or in a stable?

What is she doing that is making you feel uncomfortable?


I bred two ISH and handling them when I had not exposure to foals before was a big learning curve for me.I did not have huge amount of funds at the time, I never do somehow, but I did get the help of a NH trainer with ground skills, which was invaluable, as it gave me the confidence to handle them, and prevented any unwanted behaviours occuring, and kept me safe. The older of the two was particularly demanding- he did not miss a trick, there was no room for error or lack of confidence when handling him.

If horses is stabled, rather than in paddock could you get cheaper livery by turning out in paddock, and put the extra cash into lessons? Also I think horses at that age are better out more, it is healthier and they are happier.
 
How long have you had her? I would echo what someone else has said - she will pick up on your nervousness, and, although you say you aren't worried about the riding bit (although with a big young horse I would think the riding will be the most challenging bit) you have got to get yourself in the right frame of mind on the ground first. Can you really not find someone to help you? Can you spend more time handling her? You need to bond with her, but she also needs to know you are the boss, so really in order to get on with things you will have to try and conquer your nerves. Sorry, not particularly helpful, but if you are having trouble now, the problems will have increased by the time it comes to backing her.
 
I know they are not everyone's cup of tea but the Parelli games can be wonderful for building handler confidence.If you start with the really easy stuff,yeilding quarters and shoulders and work on getting the horse to back up by wiggling the rope(eventually just a finger) you can keep her out of your space and gain her respect. However I do think horses can get easily bored by the games,so don't overdo it.
Freeschooling is another really good way to gain respect and therefore trust.
So if you have a school,try loose work with her.
Finally,if you don't already wear a hat,gloves and body protector,consider doing so. It will make you feel safer and protected,therefore more confident.
Good luck. I have been through this with my KWPN. He is 17h+ and there was a time when I was too chicken to get him out of the field. 4 years on and I can jump on him bareback and ride around the farm in a headcollar......sometimes without my hat:eek:
 
She is out all the time at the moment, but will come in on a night over the winter, turned out in the morning..providing the weather isn't to wet during the day so the paddocks don't get churned up. I have owned her for just under a year, but 3 months after i got her we had a family ( illness and death of close family memeber) so she only had the basic done now and again. So I know it has put us back abit.
Living out 24/7 isn't an option for me as it would cost just as much as the part livery I am currently on.

I am seeing her everyday and we either graze inhand, walk about the farm to get her use to things so she has time to think about things - she tends non to think if she has another horse with her, go to her stable (this is new to her - new build) small chaff feed in her box. I only do this if there is someone around the yard or my partner is there.

I have done some of the natural horsemanship games and have followed some of Richard Maxwell's tips from his book. Which have helped.

She doesn't invaid my space and she is aware of my space etc. She has never hurt me. I know she has a stubborn streak and she is constantly testing me. She is quick to learn and so quick on her feet.

I understand what you are all saying, but i have no problem with the other horses on the yard.

Guess it is a kick up the arse for me and get on with it.

Thanks to all who have replied.
 
Isn't there some kind of spray that i saw mentioned on here which emits calming vibes to offset the fear smell that humans give off? Can't remember what it was called but I'm sure someone will know.
 
Eliza, you sound like you are on the right path, just put a plan in place, and start working on it, be flexible, though horses work to own plan... if you do hit a brick wall, get help, but you may find that you are more than capable if you take one day at a time.
 
I would have to agree with the day at the time plan. I have a rough plan put together at the moment as a skeleton plan. Goals I want to achieve but not put a time on it.

Last night i went to bring her in..and i put my trust in her and she was a delight.... so we do have good days and then we shall have a bad day. But on reflection we seem to be having more good days than bad at the moment.

Just have to say thanks for the support from my partner and eliza seems to bond with him easy too so it is a good back up.
 
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