Few problems with new pony - advice please!

[hoofhearted]

Have had Rosie for a couple of weeks now - have ridden her a couple of times with a friend walking with us and this went fine - she was a little bit nappy a couple of times but I managed to push her out of it.

But now I'm having some problems. As I didn't feel confident riding her on my own (am a fully paid up member of the Nervous Nellies Club!) I started taking her for walks in hand to work on our 'bonding'.

First one went fine, no problems.

Next one she went a little way down the lane and then - stopped. And wouldn't budge. Tried everything I could think of - trying to get her feet moving, getting her to move to the side, getting cross (not hard that one:D). The more I tried, the more stubborn she got - walking backwards and putting her head in the air. In the end I decided to just sit (or rather stand!) it out and just waited. After what seemed like forever she did offer some forward movement which got lots of praise and a head rub. After a couple of steps forward she decided to keep moving.

Next day same performance again, only this time it took longer to get her going. I did give her a couple of taps with a stick this time as I was pretty sure she was just being stubborn, but it just made her more determined not to budge.

Today I couldn't get her in from the field. She just planted and refused to move. Again tried everything I could think of, plenty of side to side movement etc. She broke her safety headcollar so I went back for my dually headcollar and after a lot of effort and following the same thing of praising any (however) small forward movement she did eventually get going, although we did weave across the field.

I'm really disappointed. She has been the perfect pony in her last couple of homes (although they were both short term). I'm beginning to feel that I am causing the problems. I'm pretty sure that it comes down to not wanting to be away from the herd - but am I dealing with it all wrong?

Any tips? Coz I'm feeling pretty down at the mo.

[NoviceNic]

You will find that a packet of Polo's will coax her to walk forward....:D

Seriosuly she is just testing you. Take a whip with you and tickle her legs with it demanding forward. :) If this doesnt work then move her legs to the side or backwards. Unbalance her so she has to move her feet. You will get there soon. I promise. Captain used to plant when we went hacking out. Spin round and walk home very strongly. Took me time and energy to work out how I could stop it. But the minute I stopped it so did he. Its all about getting to know your horse and their little quirks. ;)

[hoofhearted]

Thanks NoviceNic - I think you're right she is probably finding out what she can get away with.

When I brought her I was told that although her current owner had never hacked out alone on her her previous owner had. However I've since spoken that lady and she always trailered to her friends to hack! Prior to that Rosie was a riding school pony.

I'm just getting myself worked up thinking I may never be able to hack her out alone which is what I got her for :rolleyes: as there's no-one here to hack out with.

[Kerpug]

What you also have to remember is this little pony is in a new home with new horses and new owner in new surroundings!!

A couple of weeks is not enough for this little one to know she's not being led into danger. Also if she's been past from pillar to post that could affect it too. Sounds like your going out on your own without any other horses so this will affect her too as she's the only horse. Its really good that the 2 of you are hacking alone cos otherwise it could go the other way and she'll only want company. Unfortunatley is a time thing and just continue to do what your doing and build a bond with her.

Me and my lad have just started hacking again after 3 years off the road. We're going it alone and he's petrified as we're in a new place so theres new smells, donkeys, chickens and dog kennels. They're all going to kill him. But because we have a great bond, he'll go on when stops. Only you will know if shes scared or being stubborn but you need to give it time :)

[Bobbi's_mum]

I havent had mine long, she was fine when i first got her but she started showing this sort of behaviour when she bonded with her companion. She bacame nappy and wouldnt go past her veiw of the field with her buddy.

I soon found i was being taken for a ride so after a few arguments on the lane she has decided hacking is fun again. You need to make sure she knows you are boss, keep taking her out everyday of you can and lots of praise. it may take time but she will soon get the message

[LindaAd]

I think maybe you should start practicing leading her in the field before you take her out. Get her to walk, halt, back, move front feet, back feet, etc. when you ask her to. A rope headcollar might help. Then, when she's really obedient, you can start taking her out for little walks. (This is mainly based on Kelly Marks, and the Maxwell and Peace books – it worked wonders with my stroppy mare)

[Mehitabel]

excellent advice from kerpug - while you're quite right that it is not acceptable and you must work through it, she does have some pretty genuine reasons for being unsure.

you're doing the right things - not making a big shouty issue of it, not upsetting her, but just calmly insisting - and she is eventually doing as she is asked.

[fairlady]

You are working wonders, and for every little issue you get thro with her, your confidence will grow and therefore her confidence in you.

It all takes time, and the old saying 'two steps forward, one back' is true.

I know its hard to not get angry sometimes, especially if you feel they are taking the mickey:)

Stop doubting yourself, you will get there, she sounds very lucky to have found someone who is understanding. Do as someone has suggested, try improving your groundwork in the field maybe 10 - 20 minutes, before you take her out, keep calm, and lots of praise as you are already doing. Keep the walks fairly short at first, curiosity about what is up the road, or round the corner will soon outweigh her fear, cos they are all nosey:)

Have you lunged her, (I love lunging) great way to get them listening to your voice and learning your commands:)

Don't let this fill you with self doubt you are doing fine:)

[Bertie]

Sounds like she's definitely testing you, you seem very determined to not let her get away with whatever behaviour she's exhibiting so you should be proud of that, a treat/reward system works well I've found with my new mare as she tested me after a few weeks, she was very bargy when being led in from the field, invading you space etc and sometime not coming. Now she's pretty good as she knows if she comes to me or lets me catch her 1st time she gets a treat as soon as the head collar is on, if she walks nicely, waits patiently at gate whilst I open and close it she gets another and then another sometimes if she walks nicely to her stable through the yard.

Keep up your hard work she is definitely testing bounderies.

[hoofhearted]

Thank you everyone for your replies, quick update my friend went into the field to catch her today and had absolutely no bother:eek: - I'm really beginning to feel if must be something I'm doing wrong but Ive no idea what?

I'm really beginning to feel I might be best giving up on horses altogether, although I love the caring for them I am a very unconfident rider, in fact sometimes I feel physically sick at the thought of riding and thats not going to inspire a horse with confidence is it:rolleyes:.

I took the sad decision to sell my last mare as she was just too forward going for me although everyone said she was bombproof, brought Rosie coz I didn't want to be without a horse and she seemed perfect for me - now I'm beginning to realise that I might be scared riding any horse. How stupid!:o

Sorry about the long posts.

[Siogfinsceal]

dont worry shes just testing you - it often happens when you have just started with a horse and they dont know you very well yet. Bit like children - they like to see what they can get away with! You just need to set boundaries and acceptable behaviour
as she has broken a headcollar i would suggest leading her in her bridle rather than a headcollar as you have more control (and wear gloves to protect your hands). As someone else suggested you could carry a schooling whip to give her a tap (make sure you look forwards to where you want her to go and not at her otherweise it becomes a battle of wills!) and a packet of polos so you can reward her when she is good.

remember she was a school pony before so shes probably used to following other school ponies around ro being in company so it will take her a while to get used to just being with you

[hoofhearted]

Thanks Siogfinsceal - but why was she ok for my friend to catch? Just keeps making me think its a problem with me?

[Marusenka]

No it is not a problem with you... she is simply testing you out. Possibly your friend was just that little bit more assertive but no matter you will get there. My last horse was a devil when i first took her on and tested me out so so much in much the same way and yeah for other people sometimes she could be a little darling. When they start to get used to a person and associating them with bringing them in and doing anything with them thats when the little temper tantrums start but they all give up pretty soon when they realise it is not getting them anywhere and they begin to trust you.

Your pony will get there- just be fair but firm with her and keep the rules the same- she will soon figure it all out!

[Siogfinsceal]

Marusenka is right. horses are clever - they can sense how you are feeling by your body language, the tone of your voice and your actions. she may have picked up that your friend was more confident or assertive than you and that she was not going to get away with messing.
dont stress too much your not doing anything wron gyou just need to believ ein yourself a little more. Plan what you are going to do with her and then visualize yourself doing it. Id practise spending time with her - grooming etc and catching her ad them rewarding her for it (catch her a few times, reward and then let her go so she doesnt associate being caught with work or having to come in). soon she will want to come to you.

[LindaAd]

Thanks Siogfinsceal - but why was she ok for my friend to catch? Just keeps making me think its a problem with me?

There are tricks to catching horses: walk towards them diagonally, not straight; walk towards the shoulder, not the head; don't look the horse in the eye, look at the ground ... My farrier swears he can catch them by walking towards them backwards.



Probably your friend knows these tricks, or is more used to catching horses, but it's nothing personal and nothing you can't learn. Carrots and polos work wonders too ... Just give yourself a bit of time and you'll be fine. Really.:)

[hoofhearted]

Sorry LindaAd, I phrased my last post wrong - not having trouble catching her - just getting her to move once I have caught her:D

[NoviceNic]

I too have an ex riding school cob. Genuine chap and has really done me proud for the last 3 yrs. Planted heavily on solo hacks though. Had to work out how to get him going forward. Then he would spin round and walk home strongly. Worked how to sort that out. Then it was another trick. Worked out how to sort that out. Basically it all boils down to confidence. If you have no confidence in yourself then your horse will sense it. As your bond grows, think of all the times your horse helps you with your confidence. Then whilst solo hacking, repay your horse the favour by faking confidence and moving them through the scary monsters. Sounds to me like you have found a super horse. Just work with him and remind yourself that you are a good person whom would never ever put your horse in any danger.:)

[fairlady]

You are catching her and prempting problems, and she knows that.

Headcollar on, all good, polo, then start walking, don't even look at her, do not even in your wildest dreams think there is going to be a problem, and probably there won't be.

Your friend has a bit more experience/confidence thats all. I know it all sounds soo easy, until it comes to doing it, you will get there, Promise:)

I remember going to ride a friends horse, years ago, how niave was I.

I had to go and say to her, Sonny (now 34) has had plenty of exercise, I chased him round the field for an hour and a half trying to catch him:o

However, time on and more experience, I managed to worm him yesterday, on my own, sneakily and before he knew 'what had hit him' it usually takes 3 people and a 'lot of dragging about'.

That will teach him for all the times he has dumped me:)

[hoofhearted]

Thanks for the positive words everyone - sounds like having more confidence in myself is the way forward.:) Will keep you posted on how it goes.

[happy haffys]

Hoofhearted,

I sometimes have this problem just leading Etta from the field to her stable.

I took a couple of treats with me the first few times & gave them to her as we were walking along the path before she actually planted her feet. Then i made the intervals between treats longer, so that she didn't turn into a nipper!

It seems to have worked. :confused:Another thing i found with her, is she doesn't like feeling restricted. Whether i'm leading her with a leadrope or her reins, she likes some slack, otherwise feet down & head in the air.

It's a pain when you feel like it's only you (you've posted on my threads, so we're in the same type of boat!! :p), but she will learn that your the boss.

Who's signature on here says ' you tell a gelding, ask a mare & discuss it with a stallion'? How true!!

[LindaAd]

Sorry LindaAd, I phrased my last post wrong - not having trouble catching her - just getting her to move once I have caught her:D

Oops, sorry. Sometimes I read too fast and get it wrong :o... But it's still not personal, it's just a question of time, and learning how to ask for what you want.

[viks]

Hoofhearted,

Iam in very much the same boat as you i had just bought a 14.2 haflinger x just 3 weeks ago she is 15 years old and bombproof however i too am very nervous as only ever having riden a RS horse that would take off whenever it felt like it and having two falls in 3 months.

We too have been through a few rocky times in these few short weeks eg not walking forward when i want here to refusing to go through gates etc.
I was too afraid to crop her as i thought she would take off with me so felt that she was walking all over me.

However i am very lucky that the livery where she is kept all the staff are very helpful and one of the girls was told to ride her to all the areas we were having problems with me watching, this did me the world of good as when she was refusing to go forward i saw the girl give very strong legs and when she still refused she had a firm crop on the backside x2 and this solved the problem.

Not only is she better but it made me aware that she would not take off because she was being asked too do somthing that she did'nt want too do,
i am now more confident in asking her and being firm with her.

What i am trying to say is it poss for you to get someone to ride her and handle her in all of your problem areas and you just watch and see if this helps.

Just a thought but please keep going i am too a new owner and it seems to get better, and remember you have the rest of your life to get it right it does not need to happen within the first weeks/months.

viks:D:D:D