Horse Forum: What to do when not under saddle for a while?

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Topic: What to do when not under saddle for a while?

USMCMom
Junior Member
Member # 2502

posted May 15, 2004 10:44 PM

Hi everyone....

I am new to this forum. I just happened upon all of you and have enjoyed the reading for the past few hours. After reading everyone's Q's & A's, I am addicted to this forum.

Ok...now on with my situation.

It's been my dream all my life to add that special horse to my family and God has blessed me with my first special men. Fox and Lucky.

Anyways, Lucky is 15 and so gentle it is funny. He is a 14hh QH and a perfect gentleman.

On the otherhand, we have Fox. He is a blk/wh overo paint and 16.4hh. He is very spunky. He bucked me off last August and I was badly injured (2 broke ribs and busted kidney...landed on my side on a stepping stone). Although, it wasn't really his fault, just a load of unfortunate coincidences spooked him badly.

So my question is this....does anyone have any advice for a person who is a bit spooked about riding again? How should I approach my fear? It's not a huge fear, but still in the back of my mind.

Also...what is the best way to get Fox (or any horse that hasn't been saddled for the last 10 months) adjusted to being saddled again? How do I EASE "us" into this?

I don't want to give up on him or him on me, I love him dearly and take great pride in just looking, feeding, and grooming him.

Thank you...and I look forward to many hours making new friends here!

Sandy

Posts: 10 | From: Kentucky | Registered: May 2004

babs
Member
Member # 1501

posted May 15, 2004 11:36 PM

welcome Sandy, i hope you are ok now.
(please get a body protector to wear when you ride)

Take it slow.
HEve a look into NLP. (Neuro linguistic programming) IT has to do with positive thinking. ITs like when you visualise your self doing something succesfully or emulating someone you admire doing it.

Don't do anything before you are ready and take it one step at a time.

THere are some great people on here who can advise you on training the horse, i am not knowledgeable enouh to do that but i would say take it a step at a time with your horse.
You will need to work on getting him fit if he hasn't been riden.
If you think he is going to buck, try and lunge him before you ride to get the edge off him.
Providing you have checked that he is not bucking as part of a pain issue.
HAve you had his teeth or back and saddle checked to make sure he's not sore?

Good luck.

Posts: 1242 | From: Belfast Northern Ireland | Registered: Jan 2004

spyro1
Member
Member # 647

posted May 16, 2004 04:40 AM

Welcome sandy and let me saw **OOOHRAHHH*** [Big Grin]

Ok, as far as Fox goes, I would suggest some serious lunging or round pen work for this guy before you get on him. Let him get his *goofiness* out on the line or in teh round pen before you get on him. I would aslo suggest lessons from a reputable trainer in your area if possible.Check the saddle, make sure it is properly fitted, bit properly fits his mouth, teeth have been done recently, etc. to rule out any possible pain causing his behaviour.
I have been riding for over 20 years, almost 3 years ago, I got on a horse at my friends barn, he went into a bucking frenzy at the lope, my wrist hit teh saddle horn and snapped, [Eek!]

I decided it wast ime to get out of Dodge!! When I bailed, I tore ligaments in my knee!! Needless to say, I think that when we get older, the pain of falling/injuries stays with us longer. It took me awhile to feel comfortable up in teh saddle again. To top it all off, I had just started breaking/training my horse who was 2 at the time. We had not yet loped. I couldn 't do it. what really helped me is just starting off slow. I got on him, and just stood there for a minute. Then we walked. That was it for the day. I gradually worked my way up to the trot. I was just to nervous to get him into the lope, so I had a trainer get on him and lope him for the first few times. This helped me tremendously. Watching someone else ride the horse, seeing how he will behave, is definately mind settling.
You are not alone in being saddle shy, especially after your accident. There are traineres out there who will come to your house and ride your horse for you, cheaper then sending them out to teh trainers, and they will work with you one on one with him. [Wink]

Good luck with him, let us know how it goes.

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http://members17.clubphoto.com/beth819817/2122088/guest.phtml
Only those who risk going too far, will ever know how far they can go.

Posts: 2755 | From: Sunny South Florida | Registered: Aug 2003

CJ
Member
Member # 1979

posted May 16, 2004 10:56 AM

Welcome. I would opt to ride Lucky for a while, til you feel more secure. If he's solid & reliable, you can get past the deep thought that going riding is dangerous/ deathwish. If he does spook (-I hope not) there will be a logical reason, not meanness or spunk. I was thrown to the point of being scared to ride, and what seemed to do the most good was saddle time on a solid, trustworthy mount. Eventually I was even willing to climb on borderline dingalings. They're fun. Hope this helps.

Posts: 662 | From: NJ | Registered: Mar 2004

Super Step
Member
Member # 1637

posted May 16, 2004 06:58 PM

All of the above and saddle them and let them stand.

I have some horses that are on again/off again.

The first thing I do when getting them ready to work again is start a routine.
I feed them in a stall, give them time to digest then work in the round pen with out a saddle.
I then saddle that one and tie him. It teaches petience. I work the other one the same way in the pen. Then saddle and tie the same as the other. I believe they accept the saddle better if they simply stand saddled. I do this a couple of hours per day for a couple of days.
Once their backs have become accoustomed to the saddeling, I ground work them with a saddle in the round pen.
I ride them in the pen until I feel comfortable with them again.
Then I go out about the farm, doing chores etc.

Do not rush your self. I had to rehab from knee surgery and was cautious about my first ride. Trust your self. You know you better than anyone else.

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I am the guy who changed his name to Super Step

Posts: 146 | From: Alabama | Registered: Feb 2004

USMCMom
Junior Member
Member # 2502

posted May 16, 2004 07:38 PM

WOW..! You all are awesome! Thank you for the replies..!

Thanks BABS for NLP advice...I am researching it now.

I don't have the facilities at the moment to lunge him, etc...so I have found a terrific and patient trainer to work with him and give Fox a "tune-up". I've seen this Trainer work with other horses and he is soooo much more gentle and patient with the horses than anyone else I have watched. The trainer also is a farrier... and since he is also a farrier, I invited him to come and trim Fox and Lucky's feet for me today. He again impressed the heck out of me with his patience when it came to trimming Fox's feet. He is the closest thing I have witnessed to be a true "Horse Whisperer"...he reads Fox's eyes and body language expertly. He even positioned Fox fox trimming without laying a finger on him...he did it all with hand and body movements.

This Trainer took me to see some of his horses afterwards...and just as a pasttime he trains them in tricks, like fetching buckets, opening fences and doing circles by just whistling and reversing the circle by reversing his whistle.

I was very impressed with all this...especially when all the horses seemed so relaxed around him and all seemed to love being in his presence.

I think he is my Godsend. Wish us luck and thanks again a MILLION TIMES over for all the replies and advice.

Sandy in KY

Posts: 10 | From: Kentucky | Registered: May 2004

Midnight Felicity
Member
Member # 1106

posted May 17, 2004 01:11 PM

Sandy:
I'd say that you need to build your confidence back up on your more steady mount, Lucky. Once you are fearless again, lol have a go at Fox again. I'd say that you should have someone else there with you when you do that first ride again...but i'd say just go slow...start out with stuff that you know he'll be okay with and keep it short and sweet for him...praise a lot and let him know that he is doing good when he is doing good. How about when problems arise with him you let us know and we can help lol...thats what i do... [Wink]

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I whisper but my horse doesn't listen!
You can tell a gelding, and ask a mare, but you have to discuss it with a stallion!
I will always love and cherish(well spoil) my baby girl Midnight Felicity!

Posts: 371 | From: Washington | Registered: Dec 2003

USMCMom
Junior Member
Member # 2502

posted May 17, 2004 06:04 PM

Thank you, Midnight Felicity.... I'll do just that..!

Posts: 10 | From: Kentucky | Registered: May 2004

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