[Finallyownhorse]

When we picked up our newest addition, we had the lady tack her up and ride her in front of us. The horse was well behaved!

I love Clinton Anderson, and in his words, my horse has turned to acting stupid. She is convinced there is a lion or tiger behind every tree. She spooks and jumps all over the place.

She calms down very quickly, but I have never seen anything like it. We have had her home for almost 3 weeks or so now. The weather has been horrible here, so my interaction with her has been very limited.

She did fine for the farrier as far as standing still and picking up her legs. She freaked out several times, but quickly calmed down.

We had to reschedule the vet because of a funeral. This is a busy time of year for him, so he won't be here until next week.

Today's "lesson" was suppose to be the first steps of the Clinton Anderson ground series. But all I got done was walking her around the yard letting her snort at everything. We stood a long time too, but she never really calmed down.

I hope I'm not the reason she is acting stupid. I have jumped a couple times because I wasn't expecting her to jump. Most of the time, I feel like I am calm. I make a point to keep my body language relaxed, but those couple times she scared me..... I'm sure I didn't help the situation any.

I don't feel like I accomplished anything today. I don't know how to start the ground series, if I can't even get her to relax.

Help please.

[EmazingCasper]

Well, was it perhaps that maybe the horse was drugged when you went to look at her? People do that A LOT, and then you get them home and they are crazy. I don't think it is you, if your being confident, then she should have no reason to run a-muck and be crazy like that. Maybe she needs some training by someone else if you feel like you are getting frustrated with her? Or just hang in there, and remain relaxed, and confident. -that really helps.

[Finallyownhorse]

maybe the horse was drugged when you went to look at her

UGH! I sure hope not!

[EmazingCasper]

Originally Posted by finallyownhorse

UGH! I sure hope not!

Well, just doesn't make sense that she was so well behaved with the other lady, unless that horse just needs a exteremly super confident person perhaps?

[TrailBlazer]

Just a couple of questions.

What are you feeding her?
Is she kept in a stall or out in the open where she has some room?
How long have you had her?

[EmazingCasper]

Great questions. I just thought of something, maybe make a list of everything different at your place then at hers? Let us know by posting it on here, and perhaps we can help you figure out what is different.

[Finallyownhorse]

She lives in the pastures with the other two horses.

She gets hay and a couple scoops of grain. The other two horses are older so they get hoof and joint suppliments. It never fails, they always play switch-a-roo with the grain dishes, so the new horse gets the same suppliments.

It equals out to be a little over a pound of grain.

I contacted the lady later to ask about a cut I found and she made the comment that the horse sure seems to get along better with me than it did with her.

I thought that comment was strange. I didn't mention to her how skittish the horse was.

The horse acted just fine at the lady's house. Her daughter even rode it around. That is why I am wondering if she is just acting stupid at our house.

It has been a little over 3 weeks. It sure seems like she would be used to her environment by now. That is why I thought it was something I was doing that was encouraging her spookiness.

I plan to keep working with her, I'm just not real sure where to start. According to Clinton Anderson, you find a starting point and work from there. So I guess my starting point is standing still?

[EmazingCasper]

is there anyway she couldn't get any grain? that may the be problem too, she could be getting 'hot' off her grain, does she really need it?

[Finallyownhorse]

I forgot to mention the other reason I think it could be me.

She is a much bigger horse than our other two. I am a little bit afraid of her, but I try not to show it. I think horses can see things though.

That is why I am starting with groudwork also. So we can get to know each other.

[Blondehorse]

I don't feel like I accomplished anything today. I don't know how to start the ground series, if I can't even get her to relax.

I would do just that--start working her. Getting her feet moving will get the thinking side of her brain activated, and she should relax and start listening to you. I would start doing the lungeing for respect as soon as you feel she has enough of a foundation to do it. Then do lots of changes of direction to get her focused on you. If you have a round pen, I would definitely start there, since it's a controlled atmosphere, but you're not actually connected to the horse.
Like some others said, think about what you're feeding her, and how much turnout she has. Lots of horses are nuts if they're stalled all the time, and if you're feeding her a high-energy diet without the work to balance it out, that could be why she's skittish.
Good luck with your new horse!