Upsetting incident with would-be re-schooler

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cadno1

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Hi,
I had a few probs towards end of last year with my cob x in that he started playing up in schooling environment, and was becoming v strong / excitable hacking out when we met new riders in area (children cantering 3 abreast on road and screeching ...) Because of weather, and my own illness, he had most of winter off, and I've only got back on a few times, with no probs, but with last year's stroppy behaviour in the back of my mind. Saw ad in paper for someone offering to 'fix' problem horses. Girl came up yesterday, rode pony in paddock, and he was fine (he is always v sweet and obliging unless severely challenged, when he naps badly - but no bucking, rearing or bolting). Then, she insisted on taking him out on road, on his own, away from pair-bonded mare, with whom he's lived since 2004, and never been away from. Mare went berserk, and so did my pony. Somehow the girl man-handled him down steep, 1/4 mile drive, pushing him into canter, to keep him going forwards, and narrowly missing an oncoming car. At bottom of drive, he bolted up the road, and she had to turn him for home, passing me at semi-gallop, on way back to yard, and shouting at me that he had 'no mouth,' and that she was oing to 'run him up' to try and tire him out. Thought that meant she was then going to try again but actually think truth was she couldn't stop him! By time I arrived, on foot, in yard, she'd got his saddle off and informed me that he was beyond help, and I should get rid of him. He was badly scared, and dripping with sweat and the whole thing was - to my mind - her fault as I'd warned her not to take him away like that, because - if I do want to separate him from mare, which I don't particularly since they always go out together, and both are nearly 20 years old now, I would attempt it by degrees, not like she did it.
Prob now is that I am really upset by her saying what she did about him. I'm 50 and have owned the pony for 6 years, with no major incidents like this ever happening, and now I just don;t know what to do. Can anyone tell me whether this was really all the pony's fault and whether he is 'beyond help,' as she said?
Any thoughts would be very welcome as am at my wits end, now, love the pony dearly, and do not want to part with him.
Thanks for reading such long post ..
All best, Karla
 
Sounds to me, she thought she could solve a problem in ten minutes and when it turned out not to be like that she is blaming the pony.

Problem horses like him, who sound like he has seperation problems and aniexty need the slow approach and take it a bit at a time and they need to learn to trust the person who is taking them away from thier friends why would you want to go off with a stranger that you don't know.

I think you'd be better off having lessons on him witht a decent instructor on the ground giving you the guidence.
 
Gosh no wonder you are upset. The girl sounds like a nightmare and what a stupid thing for her to do against your wishes.
Honestly don't listen to what this girl had to say. Your poor horse has only just come back into work and what she did sounds like a deliberate act to get your horse to play up. Fair enough to simulate a situation you are concerned with, but not to ignore you as owner and also separate the horses like that.

Forget this girl - don't get hung up on what she said. Try and find a sympathetic trainer who will come to you through recommendation preferably. You will find that someone good will go at a slower pace and listen to your wishes also.

Your horse was frightened and any horses when in 'flight' mode will 'take hold' - they are in flight for goodness sake what did the girl expect? Also your horse was put in a scary (for him) situation being taken away from lifetime mate by a stranger - he just reacted as most horses would.

Not all trainers are good - my horse was abused by a trainer. Pick your trainer carefully.

Don't despair - find someone good, speak to your local riding club for a recommendation. Good Luck!
 
The girl has proved herself a fool. Do you really care what she thinks?!

Have a hug, a hot drink, a large bar of chocolate and start again :D

What area of the country are you in? Someone here might be able to point you in the direction of a good person who can help (rather than hinder).
 
Oh dear, sounds like you met a total
Idiot! Firstly your horse is 20, so unlikely to drastically change. But, if you really need to start separating himfrom his mate it needs to be done slowly so he can build confidence. Napping issues are hard to solve without a strong rider, but ground work can often do wonders. I would possibly do some long reining work on him and reestablish voice control first. He sounds like he is just getting very over excited so u need to introduce periods of excitement in a controlled environment under the guidance of a good instructor. No horse is completely beyond help, but it takes a lot of time
And there are no quick fixes!
 
sounds to me like this is a young girl who thinks she is the dogs b011ox and thought she could solve anyones horses out. Unless they have the reputation to prove so which sound unlikely. its not your horses fault. If you want someone to help you look into an approved trainer or instructor with a good reputation.
 
Good grief - poor pony! And stupid girl!

Take absolutely no notice of her. She clearly knows nothing. All you need is a sympathetic instructor to help you.

I have two pair bonded Section Ds, now in their mid teens. Like yours they are rarely apart and I am just starting to build up their confidence to be alone for a short while, as in the back of my mind is the thought that one day one of them WILL be alone. You can't force the issue - it has to be done slowly.

Good luck with your pony.
 
MrsMozart said:
The girl has proved herself a fool. Do you really care what she thinks?!

Have a hug, a hot drink, a large bar of chocolate and start again :D

What area of the country are you in? Someone here might be able to point you in the direction of a good person who can help (rather than hinder).
Click to expand...

This ^^^


Obviously that was going to happen, not sure what the young lady thought she was going to achieve doing that.
 
Yikes ! Reading your account, the thought that came into my head, was that I'd be wanting to grab the 'trainer' by the scruff of her neck and make her apologise to your horse.
Is there any likeihood that something changed to make your lad behave differently last year ? Did he have a change of yard, turnout,routine, feed, increased /decreased exercise, or any physical discomfort ? If his behaviour was uncharacteristic, then look for the root cause which may be quite simple.
He's had a fright which may have knocked his confidence, but if he's a good sort, he'll be okay. Problem is, that if you have lost confidence in him, he'll be uncertain in your leadership.
Even the best horses can have their silly moments,I've sometimes had occasions where one of mine has been an idiot and I've thought, 'where did that come from ?' But there's always a reason, and the incident you mention with the 3 kids cantering down the road would test many horses.
You've been off riding (hope you're feeling better now), and your horse has had the winter off, so take things easy while you both get fit again.
A riding instructor would be a good idea, find one that you feel comfortable with, qualifications mean nothing if you don't click with how they work.
Good luck and give your boy a kiss on his nose from me.
 
Learn from the experience - there are lots of nutters out there. I wouldn't let anyone near my horses without either getting to know them well first, going to see them work with other horses, or at the very least having sound recommendations from people I trust. It doesn't sound like there is much wrong with your pony - any of mine would go berserk if approached by three cantering horses on a road, and I've ended up owning three because I can't leave one on it's own at home without risk of injury!
 
Just had to post back again to say thank you so much to everyone who replied. I was very moved (to tears, I'm afraid - but happy tears, as opposed to a sleepless night, during which I did buckets of the other sort ...)
All of you sound like knowledgeable and caring horse people and I've learned from, and been inspired by, every single one of your kind and constructive comments. They were such a relief after yesterday's verdict of Cadno being practically dog meat.
To answer a specific question from Mrs Mozart, I'm in rural South Wales, between Llandovery and Llandeilo... I doubt it's near you (in fact, it's not near anyone!) but many thanks for the offer of a possible contact. I do have info, now, on a local instructor, by personal recommendation, and I'm going to call her in a minute.
Re another question from Horserider, Cadno was found to have broken tooth in Sept last year, which was treated. Bad behaviour (looking back) could have coincided with recovery period following that ...
I've just been on the boy, only in the field, in full view of mare, and steering clear of area in which he can sometimes spook and nap, but I had to do it, if only to see if he would bolt at sight of his tack!! He didn't, and he seemed once again my 'good sort', genuine pony, still prone to extreme naughtiness, no doubt, if pushed, but otherwise, hopefully, none the worse for yesterday.
I'm going to pick up with the groundwork with him again, and introduce a few more challenges in the paddock, as suggested, as well as hopefully getting some proper lessons underway.
So, thanks again everyone and - if my stupidity in hiring this girl has served as a warning so that others don't do the same - then at least something good will have come from it all.
Happy riding / horse loving :-)
All best
Karla
 
I'm glad to hear that you are feeling a litle better.

Is Cadno part Welsh? If so, that could certainly account for his naughty behaviour! They do have a bit of a reputation, but I love 'em!
 
Good luck to you, don't blame yourself, you weren't to know she was a total twit.

At least pony is in one piece (hope she has very badly bruised ego). I used to say with my old girl once she was over 20 I was never going to change her behaviour (she had a few querks when ridden), but with time & patience I could modify them. Sure you will build his confidence with a good instructor, & if it is going to come it will probably be with you as he already trusts you. Forget the girl, your lad obviously has & holds no grudge.

Never yet known a pony without a naughty streak. I loved a shetland who the kids tried to ride in the field, she cantered under a low crab apple tree. Another day theytook her in the school & only put up the top slip rail. Child last seen dangling from top slip rail after pony had made her exit.....fantastic sense of humour that little lady!
 
I had a WelshxArab once with a plunging habit. Tried two instructors, one qualified, one not, both did a lot of talking and charged a lot. Neither would even take him out of the school and wrote him off, basically. The third one, (word of mouth through a dealer) turned up and wasn't the slightest bit interested in what anyone else had said about him. Within twenty minutes she had him working beautifully and hacked him out alone, she only charged £15 ph. This was years ago so don't everyone pm me for her number.
You may have to go through a few so-called trainers but make sure you call the shots and don't give up. Good luck:)
 
Karla, firstly well done for getting on him today & taking it steady :)

Am so sorry you are not in my neck of the woods, but send you all the best wishes that some help with local instructor works out (let us know how it goes).

Seperation is a right old prob and as the others have said - its something that can (and WILL) take a long time and lots of patience to even start resolving - there is NO quick fix.
Coupling this with his anxiety probs when seeing others when out (however well/badly they are going) its not going to happen overnight or in a few weeks to get him more settled.

Am happy for you to PM me for advice, am working on one at present who is exactly like this, tho is a lot younger but its taken 6 months so far to get it happy hacking sweetly and going on its own. Still cannot be left on its own in a field, tho is reasonable for a short while in a stable now.

Good luck & keep it all the right side up :)
 
Gosh what a numpty you encountered!! Honestly, she should come and 'reschool' one of mine and see how she gets on! What she did was an accident waiting to happen.

I agree that it doesn't sound like thats theres an awful lot wrong with your boy, just that maybe you need to try to keep your confidence up when dealing with his moments? Which is easier said than done I know.

Well done for getting on again, I am working myself up to that with my welsh idiot myself - who incidentally, would be a danger to all mankind if we came across three ponies cantering up the road towards us!

Hope you have more luck with whoever else you find to help, just remember, you know your boy more than anyone and if they suggest something you are not happy with, insist that they don;t do whatever it is.
 
what a nightmare ,not surprised by his behaviour. please dont take any notice of her she sounds totally incompetemnt and make sure you only let someone you trust or who is highly recommended help you.
 
Just in from work and a huge thank you for all these further thoughts and comments ... this is a wonderful on-line community and it's made such a difference today to receive such helpful, supportive and evidently sound advice.

Cadno is Welsh ... although I suspect crossed, somewhere way back, with heavy horse, as, despite only being 14hh, he has lots of physical traits of a draft horse ... maybe this explains beach donkey one minute and raving loony the next :-) Have to say, though, my own confidence issues are almost certainly at the bottom of most of it ...

Not sure what PM means, but really appreciate the offer of doing so from the lady who's currently working with a separation issue horse at the moment. Presume it means I can contact direct in some way ... ? Will check out how to do this, as would love to get in touch, although the separation thing, whilst definitely needing addressing, wasn't actually what I asked that wretched girl to sort out, in the first place :-)
Hey ho ... hard lesson learned, but faith absolutely restored, thanks to all of you!
All the very best
Karla
PS - still laughing about that slip rail ...
 
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