Unsettled, nervous horse, abused in a past home - Advice needed!

You sound like you're on the right track, it really is just a case of time & patience. We have a 5yr old who spent from weaning at 3mnths to one alone in an isolated field. As a result she was not only fear aggressive but once introduced to my mare was determined she wasn't going more than a few feet from her. So we basically never made her. Just waited till she had the confidence herself to choose of her own accord to move away, even if it was just a few more feet for a few seconds. And slowly built up to being alone always being for something positive. Eg round the corner of the barn to handgraze the long grass etc. She's now pretty much normal. She'll now stable alone, at least during the day, without another horse in sight without stressing. And with turnout, we're at the point she'll go out alone provided others are in view. Completely fine for any ridden work alone, even hacking in new places with new sights. The fear aggression is still there under the surface, however normal stuff she's fine with. Given someone aggressive or a threat such as a dog going for her, her reaction is fight not flight. But I don't expect my horses handled with aggression anyway, so not an issue. I do echo whoever said to forget about previous abuse though. While its good to bear in mind their history, you can't let them learn to do something badly. Imo the best thing is not to make any demands or try something new until you are sure they are ready to do it right.
 
beth21 said:
Thanks very much, that's lovely to hear :) I will definitely be using this forum in the future if I have any queries.

Thanks to all for the advice, will make sure I put it all to good use. Definitely may try keeping his headcollar on for a few days and see if this helps.
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You sound like your going in the right direction, and are asking the right questions to help you along the way. Time, patience and gentle determination are your friends. I took my mare on as a favour to a friend nearly 9 years ago now. I've never been able to get her full back story as to what happened to her, but I know she was allegedly started with parelli *rolls eyes*, but from her behaviour it would suggest she has been quite bady beaten over some time before she came to me.

Like yours she doesn't ever do anything that makes me worry about her hurting me intentionally (but I always keep an eye in case she panics and does something by accident). She is very much flight rather than fight. I've found routine is key with her. She gets quite put out even now if I don't do things in the required order :D. As she is prone to panic, I spent a lot of time keeping things low key, low stress and at the level she will tolerate. She will now accept people and things that are outside of her comfort zone.

She is still a worrier about stuff, but it is manageable. I just think repetition and only moving things on and asking new questions of them when you can see they can manage them helps - well helped my girly ;)

:)
 
Sounds pretty similar to my Welsh D x tb. Ive had issues this week, where hes literally running round his stable, or up and down his fence in his field. Barging as well.

I have had a lesson with a dually halter doing Intelligent Horsemanship. I am having to do ground work with him every day. And it is really helping, he is suffering with seperation anxiety as well, although I think this is a phase due to his age rather then actually being seperated from anyone.

I have also begun giving him Topspec Calmer to supplement his feed this week to try and take the edge of him a bit.

The other thing I have noticed today is that Allen & Page feeds I had him on Calm and condition which on the analysis has 5% Sugar and 13% Starch! Im wondering if hes sensitive to the sugars so have dropped him onto the Fast fibre which is 2% Sugar and 5% starch, but am trying to find out if this is also high, or is the natural amount in a feed. I only put him on calm and condition in the summer, not long before he began fence running. :(
 
just a a quick reply..not had chance to read all the posts............good luck with your boy, we have a similar situation.A very nervy but genuine sec d who came through a auction.Obviously hit around the head.Hates to have rugs put on head collar etc.He has taken time but getting better and better.Very genuine but terrified.so sad ....our plan was to winter him out get him in a routine , and to have him feeling more confident and settled , before bringing him back into work in the spring.........we like you do everything quietly, slowly, always telling him how good he is and always touching slowly and gently....
we keep headcollar on in the field , always have his field mate in the next stable and lead out together and bring in together ..........he is left a little longer at the gate each time on his own and is improving with this all the time.Ponies like this are keepers , can,t bare to think of ours in another abusive home ...........good luck with your pony :)
 
Just been catching up on the replies I've had since yesterday. Thanks everyone, yet more great advice! I will probably have a go with a clicker I have to admit, have had it advised to me on more than one occasion.

I have to admit though, I'm starting to wonder if he was simply very anxious as he was unsettled and unsure of his new routine because have seen the most amazing transformation in him! Last night I came down and he'd already been brought in by a friend of mine. He let me put his headcollar and for the first time, stood outside his stable very calmly and had a proper munch on his net rather than just playing with it and shuffling around.

Groomed him, made lots of fuss. Even managed to pick up all four feet and give them a wash with some warm water which I was really pleased with! Again this morning I led him and he walked at a normal pace... Had a huge smile on my face ever since :D still got a fair way to go but I really feel like he's starting to except his routine. I also feel fairly confident saying, whatever he suffered in his past was not severe enough to leave any sort of permanent or serious damage.

Thanks again for all the advice! Am going to have a little play tomorrow in the school so will try and upload a pic of the little monkey :)
 
Glad to hear he is so much better already.

If he continues having problems with seperation anxiety in the stable, it would be worth considering a mirror (I think someone already mentioned this). It made a huge difference to my boy who had also been turned away a long time (though with 1 other horse) and got very stressed if he saw other horses being turned out before him. Three years on he has no problems with this, but in the early days the mirror definately helped. I got a fairly cheap acrylic one online, it's pretty scratched up now but I didn't need it long term.
 
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