Teaching spacial awareness?!

[Governor]

I had a super jumping lesson this afternoon and had just untacked G, knelt down to take off his OR boot and he spooked, kneed me in the face and sent me flying.

Thankfully my face isn't looking as bad as I thought it would (YO was still around after lesson and put ice on it) but this is another injury from my horse's total lack of spacial awareness. He mowed my YO down in the field heading for another horse - we are both very careful around him but injuries still occur.

He hasn't got a single malicious bone in his body, he's not silly and he is respectful to handle but he just doesn't seem to have a bloody clue where he starts and ends. When I bought him he was constantly whacking his head on things no realising he was too big/as close in various situations.

Has anyone had any success in improving a horses spacial awareness?!

 

[clipclop]

How old is he?

My 17hh horse was hopeless as a young horse. It took him till he was about 8-9 years old before he worked out what his legs did etc. LOL.

I guess they can be a bit like gormless teenagers. Totally unaware of what they are doing until they mature in to their bodies and brains.

I have heard people use T-Touch with success. I have no experience of this whatsoever so really can not comment.

If he is young-ish. Perhaps do a lot of in hand work? Making him move himself around himself, you, objects etc. Just a thought.

 

[rubyred]

Handy pony classes!

Seriously though you could build him obstacle courses of things like tyres and poles on the ground and lead him through letting him pick his own way. Imagine it would take a while to see real improvement.

 

[Booboos]

Both of mine were like that like youngsters. Don't have any clever ideas, but I always handle mine lose in the stable and expect them to learn to be careful around me as I am small and break easily!! However, I have also been squashed, pulped, kneed, cracked on the head, etc!!

 

[Governor]

Handy Pony - pmsl he's 16.3hh...but I could see how that would help, i'll set something up while no one is looking

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He's 8 (and a warmblood - so mentally a toddler in a lot of ways).

I just find it incredible he appears to have so little spacial awareness on the ground when I can manouvere to open/close gates very easily and today he was jumping 4 substantial jumps on a 20m circle.

May try a little more groundwork with him but his stable is down a tight turn and narrow corridor which he navigates everyday...maybe he needs something a little more challenging.

I forgot to add...if anyone suggests Parelli I will cry.

 

[Kallibear]

When they're big like that you need to instill extra respect, Behaving whilst being led isn't enough. They only put extra effort into being careful if they're willing to pay attention.

Kalli was the clumsiest horse ever, initially. She was constantly knocking people with her head of legs and I got sick of it. She didn't mean to hurt you, she just wasn't bothering to put any effort in

The turning point was when she did it to me in the field and I chased her off until all I needed to do was glare at her and she'd reverse away. I basically made her realise that humans can and do bite back. She's been SOOOO much easier to handle since - much more respectful and puts effort into not mowing people over 'by accident'. I think a horse who can't be chased away is dangerous

I do beleive that being 'clumsy' like that is a lack of respect - they would NEVER do it to the highest ranking herd leader.

 

[Governor]

I mean 'spatial' of course.

And i'm going to blame mild concussion.

 

[Joya]

If you do handy pony please may I come and watch

I hope your face is ok??