Frightened horse? Need ideas to further his training!

HorseRidinCutie4224 · 02-20-2008, 06:08 PM

So my trainer was given a horse this summer because he had some problems. He is an arabian and is 5 years old. They didnt really specify what the issues were, but she took him because they agreed to take him back if she didnt want him. Well anyhow he has been at the farm since about july and he has just had time to be a horse for a while. We occasionally brought him in to just play with him (pet him, groom him, pretty much just work on getting him to trust people.) I have also done a bit of clinton anderson but I dont know much, just the basics. And I have also been just working around him with noises and such since he is very skidish.

He has been getting better, but he is just a very jumpy arab. We knew that they always had problems with mounting him, so I have done a bit of leaning up over his back, wiggling the saddle, standing over him since he isnt comfortable with it. I sat on him yesterday for the first time. I was only on him for about 30 seconds with someone holding his lead, just enough time before he got uncomfortable.

I would like more ideas on things to do with him. I don't feel that he is ready for a rider yet since he is very skiddish of noises and tends to only trust the person working with him (usually me). Usually he will come up to me in the field, but seems tense and nevous for a while until I begin working with him. I would love to do join up as I have done it before and it has helped with horses like him, but I dont have a round pen or small area to do it in. Thanks!

Rhythm 'n Blues · 02-20-2008, 07:15 PM

I'd be splitting the area (or what ever working place you have) into a smaller space (binder twine with horse blankets over it works well

) to do the join up stuff if I were you.

I personally flat out refuse to get on a horse who won't stand quietly for me to get on without someone holding it. My theory is if he won't stand for it, he isn't mentally ready for it.

I ensure that all my young-ins can do w/t/c on the lunge with shorten and lengthens in each gate, as well as trot halt transitions. (I like to get canter halt, but that doesn't always happen before I climb aboard) They also all get use to wearing side reins while doing all of the above. I do ground work that includes turn on the forehand and haunches, as well as backing up pretty much all off just body language, maybe a few hand gestures.

All of the above is done before I even think about climbing aboard.....but many call me "over cautious" and that's 100% fine by me. I've been hurt before for skipping a step......broken back, which now leaves me that my next fall could potentially be the last time I walk. I'll take the extra time to ensure my safety! :P

sladesaddleshop · 02-22-2008, 07:07 AM

I 100% agree with Rhythm. I would also like to add if he's uncomfortable with someone above him, pony him. This way he has the comfort of another horse (a calm broke one),and gets used to seeing you above him.

Bruce Wiley · 02-22-2008, 08:42 AM

Please don't take this the wrong way.
How come your trainer isn't working with this horse?
Working with nervous horses, need a person with knowledge, skills, experience.
Playing with the horse is OK, but horse play can quickly turn against you.
The horse may start to feel, you're only his play thing.

I don't like to say this, but I an very concerns with- do it yourselfers training courses & videos.
This method, allows people to follow some guide lines, but no one is there to point out & tell the consumer... that is wrong or when the horse reacts this way, how to counter or correct the horse.
These medias only tell you how to stand, hold the rope, reins and your standing, sitting positionning or where to be, how to move.
They only give brief insights about training.

I feel, people should be under the guidance of a mentor, instructor, trainer.
Walking them thru, making sure the technique is being done correctly and helping the person to understand everything.
Reading the horse and what the horse is saying and how to properly
react and this is very important.
There are many more things that, should be explain in those media.

I would discuss this issue with the trainer, finding out their intentions, plans and ask for 1 on 1 instructions & working sessions for the horse & you.
I hope this helps.

iridehorses · 02-22-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Wiley

I don't like to say this, but I an very concerns with- do it yourselfers training courses & videos.
This method, allows people to follow some guide lines, but no one is there to point out & tell the consumer... that is wrong or when the horse reacts this way, how to counter or correct the horse.
These medias only tell you how to stand, hold the rope, reins and your standing, sitting positionning or where to be, how to move.
They only give brief insights about training.

A good friend of mine who is a cutting horse trainer in the Stephenville, TX area and I talk about this all the time. After a clinic given in his town (there is a famous clinician in Morgan Mills), he'll alway wonder how many people will end up seeking medical care because they try the methods without truly understanding them and get hurt when their horse doesn't act the same way.

HorseRidinCutie4224 · 02-29-2008, 07:07 PM

My trainer has worked with the horse with me. She knows the Clinton anderson stuff and we have done sessions where we work with the horses with her watching us and telling us how to do things and how to react. I have been doing those things with him for a while but I was just looking for new ideas and things people had done. I have been around horses for a while and the horse isn't dangerous, just frightened. Thanks for all your hel though!

02-20-2008, 06:08 PM	#1
HorseRidinCutie4224 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 1,184 Images: 40	Frightened horse? Need ideas to further his training! So my trainer was given a horse this summer because he had some problems. He is an arabian and is 5 years old. They didnt really specify what the issues were, but she took him because they agreed to take him back if she didnt want him. Well anyhow he has been at the farm since about july and he has just had time to be a horse for a while. We occasionally brought him in to just play with him (pet him, groom him, pretty much just work on getting him to trust people.) I have also done a bit of clinton anderson but I dont know much, just the basics. And I have also been just working around him with noises and such since he is very skidish. He has been getting better, but he is just a very jumpy arab. We knew that they always had problems with mounting him, so I have done a bit of leaning up over his back, wiggling the saddle, standing over him since he isnt comfortable with it. I sat on him yesterday for the first time. I was only on him for about 30 seconds with someone holding his lead, just enough time before he got uncomfortable. I would like more ideas on things to do with him. I don't feel that he is ready for a rider yet since he is very skiddish of noises and tends to only trust the person working with him (usually me). Usually he will come up to me in the field, but seems tense and nevous for a while until I begin working with him. I would love to do join up as I have done it before and it has helped with horses like him, but I dont have a round pen or small area to do it in. Thanks!

02-20-2008, 07:15 PM	#2
Rhythm 'n Blues Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,725 Images: 70	I'd be splitting the area (or what ever working place you have) into a smaller space (binder twine with horse blankets over it works well ) to do the join up stuff if I were you. I personally flat out refuse to get on a horse who won't stand quietly for me to get on without someone holding it. My theory is if he won't stand for it, he isn't mentally ready for it. I ensure that all my young-ins can do w/t/c on the lunge with shorten and lengthens in each gate, as well as trot halt transitions. (I like to get canter halt, but that doesn't always happen before I climb aboard) They also all get use to wearing side reins while doing all of the above. I do ground work that includes turn on the forehand and haunches, as well as backing up pretty much all off just body language, maybe a few hand gestures. All of the above is done before I even think about climbing aboard.....but many call me "over cautious" and that's 100% fine by me. I've been hurt before for skipping a step......broken back, which now leaves me that my next fall could potentially be the last time I walk. I'll take the extra time to ensure my safety! :P __________________ Pay equal (if not more) attention to your own self carriage as that of your horse

02-22-2008, 08:42 AM	#4
Bruce Wiley Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,641	Please don't take this the wrong way. How come your trainer isn't working with this horse? Working with nervous horses, need a person with knowledge, skills, experience. Playing with the horse is OK, but horse play can quickly turn against you. The horse may start to feel, you're only his play thing. I don't like to say this, but I an very concerns with- do it yourselfers training courses & videos. This method, allows people to follow some guide lines, but no one is there to point out & tell the consumer... that is wrong or when the horse reacts this way, how to counter or correct the horse. These medias only tell you how to stand, hold the rope, reins and your standing, sitting positionning or where to be, how to move. They only give brief insights about training. I feel, people should be under the guidance of a mentor, instructor, trainer. Walking them thru, making sure the technique is being done correctly and helping the person to understand everything. Reading the horse and what the horse is saying and how to properly react and this is very important. There are many more things that, should be explain in those media. I would discuss this issue with the trainer, finding out their intentions, plans and ask for 1 on 1 instructions & working sessions for the horse & you. I hope this helps. __________________ http://bwnaturalhorsemanship.spaces.live.com/ Bruce.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A little frightened..	HorseBliss	Horse Chat	6	02-20-2007 06:23 PM
re-programing for a frightened horse	shell	Horse Training	9	04-18-2006 09:34 AM
Frightened horse	touchofdandy	Horse Training	16	03-09-2006 03:52 PM
Suggestions on how to work him through being frightened of men.	Cool Time 84	Horse Training	15	11-18-2005 08:40 AM
Ideas for training a horse to jump wanted	Horse_gurl	Horse Training	7	07-27-2004 12:45 PM

02-22-2008, 07:07 AM	#3
sladesaddleshop Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 31 Images: 2	I 100% agree with Rhythm. I would also like to add if he's uncomfortable with someone above him, pony him. This way he has the comfort of another horse (a calm broke one),and gets used to seeing you above him.

02-29-2008, 07:07 PM	#6
HorseRidinCutie4224 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 1,184 Images: 40	My trainer has worked with the horse with me. She knows the Clinton anderson stuff and we have done sessions where we work with the horses with her watching us and telling us how to do things and how to react. I have been doing those things with him for a while but I was just looking for new ideas and things people had done. I have been around horses for a while and the horse isn't dangerous, just frightened. Thanks for all your hel though!