Training from wild?

pistolpete

pistolpete

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I have a gorgeous highland pony who I’ve had for nearly two years now. He’s had a fair bit of time off work due to colic surgery and some lameness issues. Sound now. He was untouched until seven and a half years old then started at a professional breaking yard specially for showing.
I just wonder if anyone else had a pony that was untouched then started fairly quickly who seemed to be fine but has then gone on to have any behavioural problems? We are struggling. I bought him after he had been shown for 18 months. He seemed fine at first although very nervous. He now seems to have no confidence at all. Had a few neat misses and think we need to go right back to the beginning. Appreciate anyone experiences with this sort of thing? Thank you.
 
Yep I've had the pleasure of backing and bringing on a few from wild (or as good as - completely unhandled, running with a semi-feral breeding herd of TBs).

Setbacks happen, with all young horses, but in particular with those who weren't handled / socialised from foals. With apologies if any of this is obvious, as I don't know your background / experience, I would say the four main things to bare in mind are:

1. Patience - hard, as it's easy to get frustrated, but you've got to go at their pace or you'll blow their minds
2. Firm but fair consistency - Are you being very clear in what you are asking? Are you contradicting what you do in an arena / schooling / groundwork with how you handle them in the stable? Are you always asking the same things, in and expecting the same result?
3. Expectation - Great a quote from (I think...) General Decarpentry: Ask much, expect little, reward often. Don't push things too far each time. If you only work for 20 mins and get an improvement in something, that's worth a well-done scratch and taking back to the stable / field!
4. Patience - again!

It can be so frustrating, but so rewarding when it goes right. I've still got the bump where a little yearling managed to kick me square on the shin while trying to catch it for the first time!
 
pistolpete said:
I have a gorgeous highland pony who I’ve had for nearly two years now. He’s had a fair bit of time off work due to colic surgery and some lameness issues. Sound now. He was untouched until seven and a half years old then started at a professional breaking yard specially for showing.
I just wonder if anyone else had a pony that was untouched then started fairly quickly who seemed to be fine but has then gone on to have any behavioural problems? We are struggling. I bought him after he had been shown for 18 months. He seemed fine at first although very nervous. He now seems to have no confidence at all. Had a few neat misses and think we need to go right back to the beginning. Appreciate anyone experiences with this sort of thing? Thank you.
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I've never had a problem. had two, 7 and 10 years old, who hadn't been broken, although the 10 yr old had been shown in hand. Both took to the whole process well, mainly as they were mentally capable of it. I did find that consistant routine is key, and repeat every lesson before going on to the next step. This has worked well for me, and even when things went wrong (carriage turning over with horse), they went back to work without any problems, because the basics had been well taught.
 
dominobrown said:
Look up 'elisa wallace' mustung challenges on youtube.
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I second this! Elisa has a really matter of fact and realistic approach to training mustangs (dare I say not all 'cowboy' about it?!) but gets fab results and also events at 4* level. She has just started a new mustang in the last few weeks so you can watch as she goes and see if anything is relevant to you and your highland.
 
yes i have a highland who i bought at 3 (albeit younger than yours) who had never been touched. She was very nervous and still can be very spooky. The single biggest things i have found that help are 1)patience and 2)consistency. Even when not being ridden they need input of some sort every single day. Just a bring in, tie up & groom. Mine is now 6 but if I leave her a couple of weeks she quickly reverts, even now.
 
Yes I have. got a 3 year old who had never so much as had a headcollar on her. Now a 5 year old jumping round 1m05, qualified for scope later this month. Qualified for Aintree amateurs last year. Bold as brass jumping and really sweet, but is very much my horse and can be funny with others.
 
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