Tips for my confidence!

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Hi, A while ago I was at the end of my tether with my boy and was going to sell him, I thought id try and change his feed for the last time to see if I could calm him down a bit.
Well That worked and ive been schooling him and he has'nt been trying to kill me, I only have a field at home to ride in and I need to hack him out but im scared he'l be naughty and start with the jogging and napping again, which has been very scary.
Any tips for remaining calm and possitive? I have no choice but to go out alone, and I know i need to be possitive for him as he can be a big chicken (like his owner!)
 
just trust yourself! and the horsie!
or just walk him up the road inhand and then if he behaving get on him and walk back home atleasg he knows where he going to get home!
 
Take some rescue remedy - it works for me. That and don't plan anything big just a little jaunt out and try and sit up and back - I also sing as it helps me breathe and stay calm. I'm a rubbish singer but they don't seem to mind! Good luck - i went through the same with my cob but got there in the end - do you ride with a stick and/or spurs? I use spurs (impuls training spurs) to make sure we move forwards if any napping starts (stick makes the cob try and kill me as is a rescue).
Let us know how you get on.
 
I had the exact same dilema with my gelding .. and hes not exactly the type you want to be aruguing with - a 16.3 belgian warmblood! (:
What feed have you got your horse on? I have put my boy onto non-heating TopSpec condition cubes, giving him all the condition he needs without any extra heat. But anyway, going off the point a bit! .... If you have a field, why dont you try lunging him in there for a good while to take any fizz out of him then when he is tired, take him for a short walk down the road to cool him off .. then he can get used it without getting excited and then grudually hack out more with lunging less. This is what I did and it seemed to work with my physcotic beast
laugh.gif
.. but i now have him at a yard so have takenb the easy way out with an indoor school! lol
Let me know how things go?
x
 
I was just going to suggest the singing! It really works, doesnt help my singing voice any but I clam up and stop breathing when anything happens, which just makes everything worse. I have also nearly passed out from fear while waiting to start indoor jumping rounds, but daren't start belting out chart hits there, so may also try the rescue remedy!
 
Thanks, il see what mood he's in tomorrow morning! but im gonna get him out this weekend that's for sure, ive tried walking out in hand but he's a bit too big for me to handle, and he seems to be better when I ride him.
 
The key is to do things gradually with him, even if the first time all you do is a 10 min walk out of the yard and back thats an achievement. After the first time you will have something to build from, and you will be so pleased afterwards.
Just try to think really positively, and starting small will help with this. Stay as relaxed as you can, and remember to enjoy yourself, you'll be fine. Good luck Nxx
 
My mare can be nappy and joggy whilst out hacking alone, untill she is confident with the route and knows where she is going and that she will be returning home after.
We gradually build things up with her, by leading her out in hand, so she has us for guidance to begin with. When we start riding her out, we start with having someone on foot or bike walking infront as this makes her a lot calmer as she has someone to rely on. She then gradually will become confident with the route and eventually she will ride out with no guidance and is a star.
Good luck.
 
Lots and lots of rescue remedy, give it to the horse as well! Take someone on foot with you and breath! I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you are expecting!!!
 
Thanks for the reply's everyone, I went out on him this morning along a short bit of main road before getting on the bridle path, he was very nervous and joggy, and we held the cars up for a bit, but we did it! I think he was quite pleased with him self after bless him, and i talked to him the whole time, so Im gonna take him out again on the same route tomorrow and hopefully he'l be better, and il try the resue remedy as well!
 
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