Update on new pony and stress

R

rafty

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 March 2012
Messages
152
Visit site
Well I have posted a few times about my new pony. She was bought as and is a beginners pony. I bought her to share with my kids after selling my competition horse.

She is great to ride, but is very stressed when being brushed and tacked up. And I mean very stressed, bargy, kicking, pawing at the ground and trying to squash you up against the wall.

So yesterday I decided to take it from her pov, after reading a previous post on here. Her old owner used to tie her up to the outside sandschool to prepare her. So instead of taking her into the yard, where she can;t see her field mates anymore I attached her to the sandschool. She kept a firm on her friends but I managed to brush her and tack her up calmly, which made it a more pleasant experience for her. Then we did lots of groundwork and after that I took her into the yard on her own, where I had a hay net waiting for her.

Today I did the same, but its funny she was more stressed as one of the other mares was taken into the yard. I now know she is her favourite!! Anyway finished up ok, calmed her down and off we went for a hack. She tried it on going out of the yard, but a little tap behind my leg with the riding crop and a small buck and we were on our way! She did try it on a couple of times as even novice ponies will in a new home, but she realised that it wasn't going to work, and I just pushed her own. Then back to the yard for her haynet.

I know it is very stressful for her, after 8 years in one place and a new mummy. I think we will get there though, as the last two days have had an improvement.
 
Well done, sounds like your on the right track.

One of my YO'S Horses is like this. She hates being alone and is a nightmare to tack up and groom if she cannot see the others. So what I do when I ride her is leave her tack in the corner of the school and tack up there. She will calmly stand when she can see them and its so much easier.
 
They have their quirks don't they, our old pony can be really bargy and difficult and a pain to tack up etc, but is a bomproof take anywhere hack. Take him to a show and he won't stand at the trailer when his mate goes off to do a class and he certainly wouldnt stay on it! Our WB x can be quite spooky and jumpy to ride but is an angel to handle will stand in or at the trailer on his own no bother. The dentist came recently,pony let him put the equipment in his mouth but made us dizzy going round and round in circles and bombed off up the track with a mouthful of metal, not because he was scared but because he knew he could! WB was wary of something in his mouth but stood like an angel to be treated.. :rolleyes::cool:
 
amymay said:
Some horses despise being brushed. Try using a cactus cloth instead - to see if she's any better.
Click to expand...

Thats interesting and worth looking into, but I think its more the being attached somewhere away from her budies than the actual brushing. Thanks
 
xxMozlarxx said:
They have their quirks don't they, our old pony can be really bargy and difficult and a pain to tack up etc, but is a bomproof take anywhere hack. Take him to a show and he won't stand at the trailer when his mate goes off to do a class and he certainly wouldnt stay on it! Our WB x can be quite spooky and jumpy to ride but is an angel to handle will stand in or at the trailer on his own no bother. The dentist came recently,pony let him put the equipment in his mouth but made us dizzy going round and round in circles and bombed off up the track with a mouthful of metal, not because he was scared but because he knew he could! WB was wary of something in his mouth but stood like an angel to be treated.. :rolleyes::cool:
Click to expand...

Thats like my girl, well so far anyway!! She seems pretty bombproof when hacking. We have been past a lot of things that could potentially be quite spooky situations. Lots of flapping bags, chainsaws, lawnmowers, cars, bubbling water under bridges and even an agricutural vehicle with spikes and all sorts bombing towards us on a small country lane today!!
 
rafty said:
Thats interesting and worth looking into, but I think its more the being attached somewhere away from her budies than the actual brushing. Thanks
Click to expand...

Oh no doubt about it. But just a little thing to think about. My grey horse hated being brushed. Cactus cloth and sheepskin cloth for him only.....
 
amymay said:
Oh no doubt about it. But just a little thing to think about. My grey horse hated being brushed. Cactus cloth and sheepskin cloth for him only.....
Click to expand...

I will give it a try anyway, sounds like it might be quite nice for her.
 
You sound as though you are doing really well with her. My mare was very clingy to the others when she moved in, and she isn't really the type to stress out. I think its natural for them to want to stay close to a herd when they are new, then their confidence grows in us and they are happier to put their trust in us instead. Good luck with her she sounds like a lovely hack :)
 
Our 18yr old new boy stressed when we first got him, he had been in the same home for 7 years, then at 18 had to cope with a new home, new friends, new routines, my heart broke for him as I watched him struggle to make sense of it.
He died too soon, but knew he was loved by all that met him and had settled into his different routine, it just takes a little time and understanding
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top