Never got my new horse saddled, hate myself.

[marge]

I have posted on here previously about an Appy I bought at the auction that when I got him home turned out to be the next thing to a wild mustang. I couldn't catch him, I had to get him into a stall and work for 30 mins to get him halter on. He acted as if everyday was a new day and was so jumpy about being touched.

I tried to saddle him and twice he has bucked, once hurting his foot on the fence bucking. He now trusts me and will let me do about anything with him. Haltering, brushing, picking his feet etc. I have even done some of the "Downunder Training" with him with the plastic bag on the stick.

But I still feel as if I wasted the summer by not going on with the saddling part. I am afraid he will hurt himself or me. Any new suggestions as to getting a saddle on him? He will go around the ring twice with it on, then go bucking all around. I am just glad I'm NOT on him when he does this. I am 59 yrs old and not up to rough stuff. Marge

[Showjumper]

How old is he? It could well be he's been treated roughly with saddling in the past, or ridden in a saddle so uncomfortable that he now associates the saddle with pain.

I would start by letting him get to know a numnah, then putting it on his back and praising him. Then attach a circingle loosely. Praise him again. Gradually tighten the circingle, praising all the time. Keep on with the numnah until he's totally relaxed and happy about it.

Then introduce the saddle. Let him bite, kick and paw it as much as he needs to to realise it won't hurt him. (An old cheap saddle for this! Not the one you intend to ride in!) Once he's not scared of being in the vicinity of the saddle, put it gently on his back and praise him. Take it off again.

Every day, put the saddle on, and gradually start doing up the girth, praising all the while. If he panicks, go back a step and reinforce the idea that it's not scary.

Good luck! :)

[chev]

I agree with Showjumper. I'd also like to add though that you have no reason to hate yourself; what you have done is take a very frightened, difficult horse and gain his trust. Nor have you wasted the summer, when you have spent it building a relationship with him. I know what you mean; it's very frustrating when winter's on it's way and you feel you haven't achieved your goal, but each small step you have taken is another step towards saddling.

You would have gained nothing by rushing things. By the sound of it, if you continue the way you are he'll continue to improve and you'll have a great horse at the end of it.

I'd go with Showjumper - build up to actually saddling slowly. Once he will stand with it on, try leading him forward a few steps, and then stop. Next time, lead him on a bit more, slowly increasing the time he's wearing the saddle until he's happy with it.

Have you also had his back checked? If there is even a little discomfort, that would be enough to put him off.

Good luck. He sounds really lucky to have such a patient owner.

[Sarah B]

Hi Marge - sounds to me like you are doing just fine!! Dont let anyone tell you to rush or go faster at this!

The only thing I would add is, when you do put a saddle on him, make sure it is either not done up at all (so if he bucks it will come off completely) or done up secure enough immediately (without jerking or anything, but secure) that if he bucks the saddle will stay securely in the right place. I saw a pony the other day with its saddle round its tummy - fortunately it was a placid pony and just stood there, but I have met a horse which is still scared of saddles, nearly 2 years after the incident where its saddle slipped around its middle whilst it was being 'broken'!

So do be careful - but carry on the way you are doing - it sounds as though you are building a good trusting relationship with your boy which will stand you in good stead for the future!

:D

[marge]

Thanks all, I appreciate the replies.

You are right I don't want to rush things, plus after seeing him buck so hard, I myself started to get a bit of fear regarding this.

Funny, how your mind can build up events that usually don't happen, but could. I think: What if he leaps up and jumps on me when I tighten the girth this time? What if the saaddle slips around his belly? (as you mentioned in post) What if--what if, etc. So then I get nervous and I am sure he will know this. These weren't little hops either, these were bucks that would get applause in the rodeo. Head down, back feet kicking over his head. He still has scar on foot from kicking the fence.

I will try with the surcingle method, go slow and see what happens from here. Fortunately, otherwise he is becoming a very calm horse and no mean vices. :+) Marge

[Ipsa]

Hi Marge,
do you have a friend that could come over and be a support person during your training sessions.
Having someone on hand during these difficult moments can be a great confidence booster.

[Harry Hobbes]

Marge,
The following is offered as an opinion from an intellectual perspective, not meant to cause fear, but meant to point out appropriate action.

It is reasonable to presume that as long as the horse is bucking in the ring, that he will buck with the rider, and that is always dangerous.

It is not reasonable to assume that your risk is low if you attempt to saddle him and just get on.

The place to train the horse not to buck is in the ring (a round pen?), as it is by its nature, a safe training area.

The horse must be trained (or re-trained) on the ground (dismounted) to behave properly. If you cannot get control on the ground you will not have it mounted. Currently, you do not have control (e.g., bucking).

There are many publications and video training tapes covering several ground training methods by various professional horse trainers that can help you learn how to resolve the horse's training issues.

The particular training method you choose is largely your choice, as their principles and concepts are generally aligned, only their methods and approaches vary. (The modern American professionals mostly stem from the "Dorrance" school.)

But someone must train the horse to behave properly; on the ground and only then under saddle.

As for "...wasted the summer ...", as a successful horse trainer and many-discipline rider, I say that it's never too late to correctly train the horse.

Best regards, and I hope this helps.

[Laetitia]

Agree with Harry. Take the time it takes. It may (may) never be accomplished. The horse may have been too traumatised previously, so you'll never get there. Don't despair though, you've come a long way with him, and you will probably be able to saddle him slowly and quietly, and then get on board, even if it takes you a year. Good luck. L