Very scared horse

T

Taylorlauren

Member
Joined
25 April 2020
Messages
21
Visit site
I have recently acquired a Welsh Section A from a stud who were reducing their numbers. She was advertised as a “project pony” who needs handling. I have had horses since a very young age and have dealt with horses like this previously so thought it would be no issue. Little did I know what I was getting myself in for, this pony is completely feral and has absolutely no trust in humans. When she was dropped off the stud admitted she may have been a bit worse than advertised, they had never touched her before she had just been left to her own devices, the issue is she’s 11 months old. I have had her 1 month now, we have got to the point where she will eat a carrot from my hand and let me touch her nose. However, if I even so much as try to touch her body she literally freaks out, runs round in circles, runs into things and rears. Whilst in the pen when I have tried to touch her the situation has become dangerous, she has tried to jump over her stable door multiple times and will do anything in her power to get away from me.

The issue is, she badly needs her feet doing, they have never been done since she was born! I have given her 2ml of sedalin, she was completely calm when I gave it to her and I left her 40 minutes. When I came back she was drowsy but when I tried to touch her she just freaked out again and eventually ran so much she wore the sedative off. I need a vet to come out and sedate her completely, however I’m worried they won’t be able to inject her and it will become dangerous for them and the pony.

I am looking for some advice on how I can build this ponies trust. I have tried sitting in with her for hours, she just stands in the corner of the stable facing the wall and refuses to turn around. I have tried using my Arab who is her best friend, I took my Arab in thinking this would calm her down, as soon as I tried to touch her she ran around like a lunatic and caused my Arab to rear down on top of me so I won’t be trying that again any time soon. This horse is clearly petrified of people and I want to work with her so I’m looking for some training methods that will help build trust and bond between us

Thanks everyone
 
Our vets has someone who is licensed with a dart gun should it come to that and she needs something in an emergency.. but that won't help the trust front.

I would advise getting someone out who works with horses on the ground professionally and can help you to understand what's going on in her head. I don't know where you are based but if it's Sussex way I can recommend someone who doesn't use NH or the like, but just uses common sense!
 
Thanks for the reply, I’m in the South West so a bit far but this is definitely what she needs, think I will research horse behaviourists down this way that may be able to help her. I just feel so bad because I only want her to be comfortable but it’s a real struggle
 
What about if you just turn her out for a while and try doing things near her (grooming your other horse, poo picking, cleaning tack) so she gets used to having you around. Pop a little treat/feed near her then walk away. I did this with a NF rescue pony who had been badly treated for about 3 months and in the end he got jealous of the attention i was giving my other horse and started to come up to me. It does take time but once the pressure is completely off they seem to relax. I took him on as a companion so didn't have many expectations but in the end I did break him in and ride him and he was super. I would talk to your vet about the feet, I'm sure they will be able to help you.
 
WandaMare said:
What about if you just turn her out for a while and try doing things near her (grooming your other horse, poo picking, cleaning tack) so she gets used to having you around. Pop a little treat/feed near her then walk away. I did this with a NF rescue pony who had been badly treated for about 3 months and in the end he got jealous of the attention i was giving my other horse and started to come up to me. It does take time but once the pressure is completely off they seem to relax. I took him on as a companion so didn't have many expectations but in the end I did break him in and ride him and he was super. I would talk to your vet about the feet, I'm sure they will be able to help you.
Click to expand...

It’s quite funny because when I turn her out she’s one of the best behaved ponies I have ever come across, I shout her name and tell her it’s time to come in and she comes running into her stable and allows me to shut the door. I will definitely try what you have suggested though, I think in time she will come round, well I hope so anyway! Thanks for your help
 
Ah bless her, that's a really good sign. It shows she wants to fit in and probably likes her stable too. I find it can take them a while to settle in but once they know its all going to be at their pace they suddenly turn a corner and start to come on really quickly. Its a lovely learning experience for us too, getting them to know them once all the fearful behaviour stops, all the best with her.
 
bonny said:
I would leave her feet until you have her trust and can handle her. Forcing her now could really set you back and I doubt it’s worth it for the sake of waiting for a while
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I think you’re right. Her feet aren’t so bad that they’re turning up or anything they’re just a bit overgrown, I’m just worried people will judge me when she is in the field! Think it will a slow process but hopefully I’m sure it will be worth it
 
Taylorlauren said:
Thanks for the reply, I think you’re right. Her feet aren’t so bad that they’re turning up or anything they’re just a bit overgrown, I’m just worried people will judge me when she is in the field! Think it will a slow process but hopefully I’m sure it will be worth it
Click to expand...


What on earth does it matter what other people think? You need to decide on your strategy and stick to it. In this case is your strategy is to gain her trust before trying to handle her feet and then to get her used to your handling her feet before you trim them. I would be surprised tbh if an 11 month old who has been living out has feet which need trimming much at this point. The ground here is extremely dry and hard, feet are wearing down nicely, which is handy as farrier has stretched his appointments out because of cv.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
What on earth does it matter what other people think? You need to decide on your strategy and stick to it. In this case is your strategy is to gain her trust before trying to handle her feet and then to get her used to your handling her feet before you trim them. I would be surprised tbh if an 11 month old who has been living out has feet which need trimming much at this point. The ground here is extremely dry and hard, feet are wearing down nicely, which is handy as farrier has stretched his appointments out because of cv.
Click to expand...

No you’re completely right, I’ll continue to gain her trust and will trim once this has been achieved, I don’t want to start going backwards just over feet that need a slight trim. She’s out every day and comes in on a night so she is on the hard ground, thanks for your advice
 
At her age she needs to be chucked in to a field with others. Theres no rush to overhandle her. Just do your jobs around her. I wouldn't be thinking of going down the behaviourist route yet and I wouldn't be bringing an 11 month old in at night, if that's what you're doing? Are you used to youngsters?
 
Bellaboo18 said:
At her age she needs to be chucked in to a field with others. Theres no rush to overhandle her. Just do your jobs around her. I wouldn't be thinking of going down the behaviourist route yet and I wouldn't be bringing an 11 month old in at night, if that's what you're doing? Are you used to youngsters?
Click to expand...

Yes she is the fourth youngster I have had, the others I have sold on but I plan to keep her. The only reason she comes in is because my Arab comes in and they are best friends, she will not leave my Arabs side, she cries for her and runs around the field, so she likes to come in with her, but she comes in through choice she is never forced
 
Taylorlauren said:
Yes she is the fourth youngster I have had, the others I have sold on but I plan to keep her. The only reason she comes in is because my Arab comes in and they are best friends, she will not leave my Arabs side, she cries for her and runs around the field, so she likes to come in with her, but she comes in through choice she is never forced
Click to expand...
This isn't really how youngsters should be kept. Ideally they're out in herds with other youngstock. You're setting yourself up to have seperation issues later on or are you just keeping them as pets?
 
Bellaboo18 said:
This isn't really how youngsters should be kept. Ideally they're out in herds with other youngstock. You're setting yourself up to have seperation issues later on or are you just keeping them as pets?
Click to expand...


She has been living feral in a herd, has not had the basics put in place so will already have separation issues due to her upbringing so far, turning her away now will do nothing to help her have a useful future.
I would continue to bring her in, yes she will be attached to the other horse but for now I would use it as you are by letting her become used to you doing things with the Arab, she will become more interested in what you are doing, start to gain confidence and trust little by little, knowing how nosy most sec a's are she will probably come round fairly quickly if you let her think it is all her idea and don't push her, there is plenty of time to get the basics in place while the days are long and the weather is good so you can go into next winter with a view to doing less and having her less dependent on the other horse but she may always be the type to cling as she has missed out on the human contact in her very early days.
 
I would use a broom or a glove on a long stick, close all the doors that can be closed and desensitize her to being touched. Each time she rears up and avoids being touched she reinforces the behaviour "running away"="I am left in peace/I am safe", you need to be able to break that cycle by continuing to touch until she relaxes or at least until she stops moving away.
As you say she needs the farrier, also she might need the vet one day so she has to accept contact.
 
be positive said:
She has been living feral in a herd, has not had the basics put in place so will already have separation issues due to her upbringing so far, turning her away now will do nothing to help her have a useful future.
I would continue to bring her in, yes she will be attached to the other horse but for now I would use it as you are by letting her become used to you doing things with the Arab, she will become more interested in what you are doing, start to gain confidence and trust little by little, knowing how nosy most sec a's are she will probably come round fairly quickly if you let her think it is all her idea and don't push her, there is plenty of time to get the basics in place while the days are long and the weather is good so you can go into next winter with a view to doing less and having her less dependent on the other horse but she may always be the type to cling as she has missed out on the human contact in her very early days.
Click to expand...
Ah I don't normally disagree with you BP but on this one I do. I think alot is being expected of a young pony. Lived out in a herd and feral for 11 months then next step in a stable every night with one other horse.
 
Bellaboo18 said:
Ah I don't normally disagree with you BP but on this one I do. I think alot is being expected of a young pony. Lived out in a herd and feral for 11 months then next step in a stable every night with one other horse.
Click to expand...

I’m failing to understand how I am expecting too much of her? I do apologise, her stable is in her field and she chooses to comes into her open stable as I lead my other horse in, she isn’t being forced to do anything?
 
I would normally agree with turning away in a herd but unless the OP has a herd she can turn out with, where there is some way of getting started with handling, I think she will be no further on in 6 months and the feet will be a welfare issue, the pony will still not be established in any basic handling and when winter comes or if it has an accident force may have to be used to deal with her, far better to catch up now in a quiet way than leave it until it becomes essential, the OP sounds sensible enough, apart from taking the pony on in the first place which may have been a bit more of a project than expected, plenty have it worse, ponies sent to the sales as foals in autumn often end up shut in all winter so this has at least had plenty of time running out and is now only in at night.
 
Taylorlauren said:
I’m failing to understand how I am expecting too much of her? I do apologise, her stable is in her field and she chooses to comes into her open stable as I lead my other horse in, she isn’t being forced to do anything?
Click to expand...
I think the sedalin, sitting in her stable for hours, stabled at night and dangerous situation set alarm bells off for me but we all have different ways of doing things so i'll step out of this one.
Personally, i'd have let her settle far longer and if possible leave them both out 24/7.
 
Get someone who knows what they are doing out to help you. You can sit on a bucket from now until Christmas and she wont care less. If you have a bit of common sense and reasonable timing its not hard to get a headcollar on and get on with basic handling, but its not something you want describing to you in text on the internet. If you don't know how to do it, then you need to be shown and have someone supervising you. Its easy to get hurt and/or screw up the pony if you get it wrong.

I've almost always done what Bellaboo suggests and chucked them out for a month or so with a very, very friendly bunch of youngsters. That does most of your job for you. But if you don't have that set up then its not an option and you need help. Mine have usually gone from being unhandled to leading, tieing up and having their feet done within a month without them being rushed in the slightest.

BUT if you are expecting her to be a companion and to be able to take the Arab away to be ridden, its not going to happen for some time and without a fair amount of work on your behalf. If that's what her role is, I'd be looking to rehome ASAP and find something more suitable.

I really wish people wouldn't do things like this though. What on earth were you expecting from an 11month old project pony? I'll be honest, if I bought something described like that I would have been expecting a lot, lot worse than a frightened baby!
 
Taylorlauren said:
Thanks for the reply, I’m in the South West so a bit far but this is definitely what she needs, think I will research horse behaviourists down this way that may be able to help her. I just feel so bad because I only want her to be comfortable but it’s a real struggle
Click to expand...

You don't need a behaviourist as such, you just need someone used to handling untouched youngsters kindly and fairly.
 
Leo Walker said:
Get someone who knows what they are doing out to help you. You can sit on a bucket from now until Christmas and she wont care less. If you have a bit of common sense and reasonable timing its not hard to get a headcollar on and get on with basic handling, but its not something you want describing to you in text on the internet. If you don't know how to do it, then you need to be shown and have someone supervising you. Its easy to get hurt and/or screw up the pony if you get it wrong.

I've almost always done what Bellaboo suggests and chucked them out for a month or so with a very, very friendly bunch of youngsters. That does most of your job for you. But if you don't have that set up then its not an option and you need help. Mine have usually gone from being unhandled to leading, tieing up and having their feet done within a month without them being rushed in the slightest.

BUT if you are expecting her to be a companion and to be able to take the Arab away to be ridden, its not going to happen for some time and without a fair amount of work on your behalf. If that's what her role is, I'd be looking to rehome ASAP and find something more suitable.

I really wish people wouldn't do things like this though. What on earth were you expecting from an 11month old project pony? I'll be honest, if I bought something described like that I would have been expecting a lot, lot worse than a frightened baby!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your opinion, I am not looking to rehome my pony I was simply looking for some advice. But I completely respect your opinion and your view on my life, have a good evening
 
Leo Walker said:
Then get some help ASAP because you are out of your depth and this is going to become a welfare issue sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...

You don’t know me, you don’t know my experience or the resources I have available to me, so to assume this is very judgemental of you, especially as a “horse expert”. I have looked through your “recent activity” it looks as if you comment on threads looking to belittle and victimise people, there are multiple posts where people have had to tell you to stop as you’re being unkind, if that’s the type of person you would like to portray then continue as you are. If your knowledge is as great as your ego I would love to know why you aren’t training horses 24/7 and have so much time on your hands to post over 100 comments a week on a horse forum. Leo Walker isn’t somebody I have ever heard of before in the showing world, and if you are as great as you make out, you are slowly ruining your reputation through an online platform. Goodnight Leo, hope you have fun training your thousands of youngsters in the morning
 
Last edited:
I agree with most posts made here, it's just looking at things from different angles and to some extent depends on your setup.

I don't particularly go for the sit on a box in their vicinity approach, because I've known people so that for months on and off and a few years later still have a pony that they can't reliably catch, and while them and the pony have developed an understanding, it only really holds in a particular setup and set of circumstances. Whereas I get the impression that you want this to be a useful showing pony eventually? I once got sort of given (thrown in as a package when i bought another horse) a pair of exmoors whose owner when they were young had spent hours sat with them but never made much meaningful process. They were 4&5yrs when I got them and you could with some effort get a headcollar on in the stable and do feet, but as soon as you turned them out somewhere you couldn't corral them you were sunk. By that age they were a nightmare - I got them somewhat better and then gifted them as a driving pair to a busy professional setup where they had a lot of work put into them to make them useful.

Anyways, I'm rambling....

When I bought my current connemara at 2.5yrs old from sales she was pretty much completely feral (after buying her I struggled to catch her in the show ground stable with a headcollar on with long dangling line attached), and I had a similar setup to you - kept at home, she had to come in at night and just my other two for company. I took the sales headcollar off on the second day and then promptly regretted it ?, so then had to spend the next 48 hours in lots of short sessions getting another one on. I used raspberry canes (because I happen to have a lot growing here), that allowed me to engage with her without getting too close. She didn't know what bucket feed or treats were so those were no use. First I was over the stable door, then in the stable, then alongside, then alongside holding a headcollar etc etc. If she'll already nibble a carrot while you're holding it then that's an in, so use it. Build on that by just plugging away in short sessions and being consistent and you should be able start to make progress quite quickly. Remember that at the start, any level of engagement is good, the goal initially is just for her to unlearn that blocking you out or running away is not the way to make you go away.
 
A mini version of a horse I have.

My first suggestion would be to find out what the dam of the yearling mother was/is like temperament wise. Foals follow their mother in outlook, trust and temperament.

When I found out the dam of my horse was wild it answered a lot of questions for me.
 
DabDab said:
I agree with most posts made here, it's just looking at things from different angles and to some extent depends on your setup.

I don't particularly go for the sit on a box in their vicinity approach, because I've known people so that for months on and off and a few years later still have a pony that they can't reliably catch, and while them and the pony have developed an understanding, it only really holds in a particular setup and set of circumstances. Whereas I get the impression that you want this to be a useful showing pony eventually? I once got sort of given (thrown in as a package when i bought another horse) a pair of exmoors whose owner when they were young had spent hours sat with them but never made much meaningful process. They were 4&5yrs when I got them and you could with some effort get a headcollar on in the stable and do feet, but as soon as you turned them out somewhere you couldn't corral them you were sunk. By that age they were a nightmare - I got them somewhat better and then gifted them as a driving pair to a busy professional setup where they had a lot of work put into them to make them useful.

Anyways, I'm rambling....

When I bought my current connemara at 2.5yrs old from sales she was pretty much completely feral (after buying her I struggled to catch her in the show ground stable with a headcollar on with long dangling line attached), and I had a similar setup to you - kept at home, she had to come in at night and just my other two for company. I took the sales headcollar off on the second day and then promptly regretted it ?, so then had to spend the next 48 hours in lots of short sessions getting another one on. I used raspberry canes (because I happen to have a lot growing here), that allowed me to engage with her without getting too close. She didn't know what bucket feed or treats were so those were no use. First I was over the stable door, then in the stable, then alongside, then alongside holding a headcollar etc etc. If she'll already nibble a carrot while you're holding it then that's an in, so use it. Build on that by just plugging away in short sessions and being consistent and you should be able start to make progress quite quickly. Remember that at the start, any level of engagement is good, the goal initially is just for her to unlearn that blocking you out or running away is not the way to make you go away.
Click to expand...

That’s great, thank you for your knowledge and background, I shall continue with smaller steps and believe I will gain her trust at some point
 
AdorableAlice said:
A mini version of a horse I have.

My first suggestion would be to find out what the dam of the yearling mother was/is like temperament wise. Foals follow their mother in outlook, trust and temperament.

When I found out the dam of my horse was wild it answered a lot of questions for me.
Click to expand...

As far as I’m aware her Dam was purchased in the 2018 brightwells sales already in foal with my pony, so her background before this is limited to me. But I will definitely do my research as I believe, like you say, this will help me understand her a bit better

Thank you for your help
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top