[Liz906]

Hi guys,
Well I have taken on a new job, and i'm not a 100% sure to how to go about this. Well, there is a mare at my stables that was left there after her owner went into financial debt. She is head shy, and hasn't been ridden in three year, although the mare is in healthy condition.But, she is blind in one eye. ( The stable owner couldnt find anyone who would ride her..) To top that the owner of the stable has never seen what she is like under a saddle. I'm pretty nervous about taking on this horse, and i know it is going to take a lot of time, but do you have any tips or advice, or ways to go about this.

PS. I have been reading up about what I should do, but real life experiences, and advice would but alot.

Thanks,
Liz

[Cara]

go slow. do not think of it as trying to find out what she already knows, think of it as starting from scratch and teaching her EVERYTHING.

go about it as if you're starting her under saddle for the first time. start on the ground, groundwork, manners, etc. then work on saddling & bridling. I'd do a couple good weeks of that and lunging (in side reins if necesary, but again, introduce them as if she's NEVER had them on) - this not only shows you a bit of where she's at on the ground, but also gives her time to get a bit more fit before you sit on her back. when you feel safe, and she is obedient and safe on the ground, then start her under saddle. do this with somebody else as a safety precaution. don't get right up, do weight in the stirrups first, and work your way from there. even if she's great, still take things slow, you'll probably find holes in her training or things she's forgotten. I'd go about this with the help of a trainer 3 years of no work, and no known history, you don't know what to expect. She could be a complete angel and start back into work like she's been working all her life, or she could be a complete nightmare with problems up the wall... SLOW and cover everything.

[Buckshot]

How much experience do you have? Do you have someone with experience to help you?

If you're nervous about taking on the horse (like you said), I wouldn't be working with it! Because horses can sense very well how nervous you are, and that just makes them nervous too! Of course, if you have a good instructor, she can help you both get over your nervousness.

Do a lot of ground work before you start thinking about just getting on her, and train her as you would a young (unbroke) horse.

Roundpenning and lunging are both very beneficial activities.

[Liz906]

Thanks guys,
But she is blind in her left eye which is what makes her spooky, so how who you go about lunging her to the left side? Without added to extra fear for her?

[Cara]

hmmm, i might stay away from lunging in this case.

do you have a trainer to work closely with? even people with a lot of experience should work closely with others...

[Liz906]

yes, if i ever need help or advice the trainer is on grounds 24/7. His advice to me was the most impotent thing you need to have with this horse is a solid relationship and for the horse to thrust you.
I may just lunge her to the right or try that, if not maybe i could free lunge her in a round pen to make her feel safer?

[Cara]

if she's completely blind in the left eye, I wouldn't lunge her at all (esp on the left) whether on a line or in a round pen, it doesn't seem safe to me, and she wouldn't be able to see you to the left, so how will she see your body movment? Yes, there are voice commands, but horses really pay attention to your body when lunging as well...

[Liz906]

Yeah, training her is just gonna be harder then training a horse that has full vision i suppose...

[gluey33]

Just a thought, maybe when your on her left side you could talk or hum constantly or something just so she knows where you are. Especially at first. After a while she may become more accustomed to u and it may not be as necessary. Always be wary of her swinging suddenly that way to check out noises and stuff. Good luck with her I hope it works out well.

[Liz906]

Originally Posted by gluey33

Just a thought, maybe when your on her left side you could talk or hum constantly or something just so she knows where you are. Especially at first. After a while she may become more accustomed to u and it may not be as necessary. Always be wary of her swinging suddenly that way to check out noises and stuff. Good luck with her I hope it works out well.

good ideaa !