Hi I have owned Donny for 10month and taken each step very slowly using many of Monty’s methods from join up to dealing with a spooky horse on the ground. I can safely say my horse has really matured and is a pleasure to ride.
However, I was hacking out with friend and we had set off on a lovely canter uphill, which we have done many times before, unfortunately a RABBIT ran across our path and Donny dodged it then reared that resulted in me falling off backwards (over his bottom) initially Donny just froze and I couldn’t move on the ground for what seemed like 3mins (winded) so he turned round and briskly trotted off down the land, through the fields, crossed the road and made his way back to the yard! Luckily he was unharmed but very scared! My friend calmly caught him and he was shivering with stress! Once I stroked him (15mins later) and gave him a pat he stopped immediately! Obviously very frightened! For the last 10 months I have hacked him out with others and alone and never had any problems with rabbits running around on the ground and noises in the grass and bushes. This was just a very unlucky event but luckily we where both ok.
After the incident I Joined Up and got back on him and he was brilliant! Since then he’s been absolutely fine until today...it was a little windy and we where hacking through the woods every movement or sound in the long grass or bushes resulted in him moving his ears towards but soon settled as I reassured him and pushed him forward with my leg. Then all of a sudden with no warning there was a gush of wind resulting in branches rattling and up he went I stopped on for the first rear but came off on the second. Donny then spun with a leap into the undergrowth he was frozen to the spot and I got up slowly and instead of going into get him I encourage him with my voice and body movements to come towards me and free himself! This is the join up work I have done with him from the very beginning he trusts me 100% on the ground but maybe 80% in the saddle. In some ways. I’m pleased this incident occurred and he didn’t panic and run but on the other hand; what on earth am I going to do on the ground to get this fear of things jumping out on him while hacking? Do I go back to gloves full of straw on a stick or carrier bags? (Yes I did all that right at the beginning and he isn’t bothered by them now) Any ideas are very welcome!
Donny is 5years old 16.1h Irishx Hanoverian so he is a big fella but a gentle giant really! Again I got back on him and he was absolutely fine.
History: He was imported from Ireland as a 3 year old and his previous owner turned him away to mature, apparently he was broken before as a hunter but he was very head shy, didn’t like being touched with a brush let alone a human hand plus he was extremely under weight and malnourished. Join up changed everything! I didn’t even put a saddle on him for 3weeks until I could brush him, clean his feet and rub his face and ears. Once I did get tack on it took about 1 hour to be on his back and trotting, cantering around! (presumed he wasnt broken)Since then he has become healthy and athletic, ridden 4/5 times a week (2/3 time in the paddock and twice on hacks.
Thank you
Emma & Donny AKA Donmonty
Emma
From what you have said you have a very nice horse that is willing and compliant. The work you have done with him is paying off. The fact that after he unloaded you and ran to the brush, he stopped and trusted that you were going to take care of him. Spooky horses are hard to desensitize since you don't always know what will set them off. Horses are sight animals and if they cannot see what is making the noises that are bothering them they start to stress and any sudden change can set them off. When riding you can help them calm down by talking in a low soft voice and massage their withers. This is the area that horses lick and bite with with their herd mates. It is also the area the mares groom their foals. Also running your hand slowly and firmly along their mane also has the same reasuring effect.
Also when you are out riding you need to be very aware of your horses movement. He will tell you in most cases that he is starting to get stressed. I assume that you are riding english and don't have a whole lot to grab onto if he rears. If you are quick enough grab hi mane and pull yourself down in the saddle. Don't pull the reins or squeeze with your legs. That will only make it worse.
Experience riding on the trails and lanes will make your horse more confident. I think you can see that by the fact that he did not run back to the barn the second time.
Cheers
Hi Emma
As Dennis states above, you seem to have made some good progress with Donny.
Still the two of you are in a dangerous situation! A rearing horse is a danger to his rider and himself.
From my point of view I'd do much more desensitizing on the ground, handle him as though he'd have to become a policehorse, so use your imagination on what to expose him to in a safe environment. Things like firecrackers, dragons, balloons, you name it, always confirm the bond between the two of you. Even let other people do the schooling on the Duallyhalter, you don't want your horse to trust only you and nobody else. But don't forget to give him time to digest, latent learning is one of the most gratifying ways to help your horse. So end on a positive note, give him rest and something to chew and let it all settle down for a couple of days. Then come back to the lesson.
Stay safe and keep us posted!
Miriam
Thank you very much! I do ride in an english saddle and have a balance strap on the D rings but somewhat difficult grab when its unexpected! However, I'm determined to work through this little obstacle and will invest in some interesting music making instruments this week and take him in the indoor school and continue on the ground work! Will keep you posted! Thanks again for your ideas!
Miriam has made a good point about the danger of getting bucked off
I hope you wear a very good helmet and if you can get padded vest you should wear that as well
Most competitive trail riders wear these pieces of equipment to protect them from a fall
Cheers
Hi Emma,
When I read your post I was very nervous for you. Please be careful and if you feel even the least bit nervous please get off, OK.
Ronda
Thanks guys! I aways wear a helmet n back protector its not worth the risk! Had many serious falls when I was younger riding horses n I don't bounce like I used too! Hehehe however, I always get back in the saddle asap as long as I'm breathing n able to mount I believe it can knock horses confidence more! Just the way I been brought up n taught!
Anyway the results of the last few days... Took donny n the indoor joined up within 2mins which is normal n released him on lunge line stood still and I banded a tamborine didn't move and repetitively did it walk all around him n rubbed wither gave him a pat! Wasn't bothered! Repeated with tub of rice n pasta n plastic bag liked his withers rubbed but didn't move! Then I got a sheet of tinfoil out well he wasn't happy bout that he flinched but after 5mins didn't bother him. Repeated again today was absolutely brilliant! So I'm going to put his spookyness down to change in weather n new noises in areas that have been peaceful all summer! I'm going to take him for walks with me leading him while he gets used to the changing season!then hack out with others more to broaden his experiences What do u think? Thanks
Hi Emma,
So the two of you are getting to know eachother better and the trustlevel is raised.
Get yourself in as many situations as possible, where you can deepen the trust from the ground, always using the same method of desensitizing. The rabbit-experience tells you that not only sound but also sudden movement may spook Donny, did you try to have someone suddenly popping up and opening an umbrella? Please be safe, but it can be great fun if you are able to keep your adrenalin down, because you take no risks.
Keep working, your direction is great!
Miriam
Emma
Great that you have made do much progress. One thing you might try is to hang a few plastic shower curtains up high enough that you can ride through them
This is good to teach the horse calmness as well as trust
Some trainers go so far as to make a maize of curtains so the horse oases though three or four curtains
Cheers
Thanks that's a great idea denise I could do that possibly with washing line cable n bed sheets! I saw clip ages ago n monty did it for horse that was frightened of washing lines n hanging material!