Walking out a young horse

[Pandora]

Hi All
Could any of you give me advice on walking out a young horse please. I have had her nearly two weeks. She is rather nervous and I also think she has been mistreated recently. My daughter and I have been walking her out every day for the last week and although she has been a little jumpy she has been fine. Today we got to the end of our lane and there was a herd of cows in the field next to the road, I expected her to bit a bit jumpy but she went bezerk, tail held high jumping from front to back and spinning round. I immediately took her from my 10 year old daughter and tried to calm her by talking to her and trying to get her to walk on, but she just did a lot of snorting and carried on rearing and spinning round. This actually frightened me, so I got her turned round and came back towards home, so that I didn't have to pass them again. I have just spoken to my friend who suggested that I take her back to the same place tomorrow and try again. Is she right and how should I prepare myself for this, how should I deal with it.? I will not give in but I have to admit I am very nervous now. I am leading her in a bridle, which she is not used to, but I thought I would have more control.! Please give me your advice. Thanks

[claire louise u]

hi i have exactly the same problem with my horse last year, you are doing the right way keep talking to her praise her alot, also get your daughter to go up to the gate while you are leading her so she can see that they are not too spooky, it will take time but it will work. she has to learn to trust you and it doesnt happen over night, we have got to the stage with cows we can ride by sort of ok, she is getting better, but they are still hairy scary monsters:D
it will get better how old is she?

[iluvhorses28]

OMG! This is EXACTLY my situation too!
Thank goodness you posted!
My young horse (4) also did the same number after being led out.:eek: At the time my 10 yo daughter was leading her.Obviously she could not control her..and she let go of the rope and she trotted about spooking my horse.
They are quite NEW(one week) to us...same place boarded where I bought them...so suroundings not the issue.
But she seems a bit skiddish when we lead them.
Not sure if your horse is new or younger...but our predicament is almost exact to the T.:rolleyes:
Have you seen those "control halters?"
Where theres supposed control on either the poll or the nose w/c fits like a caveson of sort. From the ad, sounds like it would help us...but want to know if anyone has really used them before I spend even more money on something that may not be any good. I'll let you know what I find out.

To this day.....I have not lead my horse alone... not w/o my RI assisting and making me feel a bit safer....
Sure is a show to watch trying to control a young one!:o

[iluvhorses28]

ADD ON:

And yes, what happened to me made me EXTREMELY nervous too... I think we need ot tackle that part first, before proceeding...as we need to be confident for them,I'm sure they are able to sense our hesitations and fears.:rolleyes:
I know...it's easier said than done...but if anyone has any brilliant idea on how to overcome this nervousness to try again...LOVE TO HEAR IT!

[madhorses]

just thinking is there not another horse at your yard that could go with you and your baby and nanny her perhaps maybe if she sees that the other horse is not worried she may be a little better you never know good luck:)

[Grace O'Malley]

What I did with my horse was work on desensitizing her gradually. There's a trail that runs right behind where I board her, and in one direction there's a narrow wooden bridge which crosses a briskly running stream (and it's a long way down too! :eek: ). At first she was very frightened of the sound of the water and didn't want to be anywhere near it. So, I'd take her closer until I could feel her just start to tense up, and then let her graze there for a few minutes. We did that repeatedly, gradually edging closer to the bridge as she got used to the sound. Then I went to giving her treats when she'd put one foot, then two, then all four on the bridge. Then we started crossing it (with me leading). Last weekend, my son rode across while I led from the ground. So it's been slow, but we avoided any big trauma.

So I'd suggest taking her to where the cows are just visible and letting her relax there, and gradually going closer from there over a period of days (even weeks if necessary). Going out with another horse is often good too.

Good luck!

[KateWooten]

Pandora .. and iluvhorses28 ... what system or methodology for training are you going to be using to train your young horses ? When I got my 3 yr old mare last year, she went from being a really nice calm little horse when I went to look at her, to an out-of-control nutcase after a week with me. Of course it was all me !!!! A change of owner is a BIG change for a young horse ... imagine a 7 yr old child having a change of school + parents + friends + home + everything he knows !!!! It takes a while for them to settle in, learn the new rules, the new expectations, the new language and to trust you ! They don't know that you can protect them from lions and monsters, that degree of trust takes time, and your commitment to building up the communication between you and the horse.

As you embark on the groundwork phase of whatever training plan or program you have chosen, you will find that trust and confidence builds up between you and the horse. Invariably, you will find that the more you are in control, quietly and calmly moving their feet, the more they will trust you.

I'm big into Clinton Anderson, but pretty much any training system you can get your hands on will get your started thinking it out from the horse's point of view. I understand Kelly Marks has a great book and is popular in the UK, and you can't really do wrong by reading any of the 'big guys' - Parelli, Mark Rashid etc

[Pandora]

Evening you lot.
Thanks for all your replies. In answer to all your questions. Spirit is 3 years old and has already had a foal nearly a year ago. Poor little thing was only a baby herself.! She has been through a lot and I am going to go as slowly as is necessarry. If it takes years then so be it. In my opinion she needs lots of love attention and understanding. We will grow and learn together and the main thing is that she learn to trust myself and my daughter. Unfortunately we have no other horse to go out with as she is at home with us. She has three goats for company who she seems to have taken quite a liking to. Now there's a though.!!!! Perhaps one of the goats could come with us.

[iluvhorses28]

Thats very true Pandora! A LOT OF TIME!
I turned my young one yesterday, and she did very well! Ofcourse that was maybe a fluke!:p But regardless...she was calm...let us groom her... she is I think satrting to slooooowly get the hang of us.

I understand that younger horses (sometimes older too) may take a lot of adjustment time to their new owners.
I am only going to the 2 nd week...and its a slow process....
I think behind our minds we somehow want ready made horses with little or no training to be done.... that is the ideal...but more than likely thats not the case....
So Pandora looks like you and I are in for some bit of training!:D

[Purple Hugs]

i'm in that group too! having just taken on a 2 year old this week :D he's a rescue as well so first job is feeding him up!
But we've been going for a walk on the collar and rein to get him used to it and his surroundings.
Thankfully he's not easily spooked.. YET anyhow. Not met any hairy monster cows yet though! :p

[KateWooten]

I had my first 2 three yr olds last year. I spent a long time looking at different books and resources - just so as I could do the best for them, and know what sort of things to expect. It's taken a while for me to really figure out what sort of a program works for me. Out of everything I've read, I have to say the best single investment was Clinton Anderson's book about establishing respect and control. It's not aimed at colt starting, but I found the groundwork exercises in that just saved me so much time wasting and going down blind-alleys with my two. He explains clearly and simply how to make the horse's feet move so that he gains confidence in your leadership, and I'd recommend it to anyone with a youg horse - it just kind of gets you into the horse's way of thinking.

[Pandora]

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's good to hear that some of you are having the same problems as me. A friend came to give me a hand yesterday. She has worked with horses all her life. It was good for me she gave me lots of good advice and encouragement and told me what a great horses she will make. It's so good sometimes just to get a little reassurance that you are doing things OK. We got her tacked up with bridle and saddle, which was relatively easy, she was fine with it all. We then took her out for a walk past the dreaded cows.! :eek: She was fine to start with as they were all laid down but as soon as they got up and started running she started jumping about. We just talked to her and told her it was OK and got her to walk on. She was much better this time. I just have to realise that she is young and very green and that in time she will take all these things in her stride.

[Est]

Kate, is the Clinton Anderson book called Downunder Horsemanship? It's the only one by him that I can find through Amazon. Heard so many people recommending him that I would like to find out more :)

[Afellpony]

Pandora, it does take time but I'm sure if you carry on just walking her and getting her used to things, it will come right. I love young horses/foals and part of the fun is taking them for walks and seeing what their likes and dislikes are and just working with them. Having a youngster is very rewarding especially when you see them change from a frightened creature, having no confidence, into an obedient and confident riding horse.

[KateWooten]

Est - yes, that's the one, I think it's called 'Downunder Horsemanship - Establishing Respect and Control for the English and Western Rider' ... it's about $20 - £20 on amazon. 'Downunder Horsemanship' is kind of his 'brand' name, or tagline .. but it's his only book, I think.

[JennJ]

i have the same problem but its only starrted recently at first i could walk charlie anywher no probs now h's frightened of things and also runs round in circles bucking nd rearing im going back to ground work and only goin out with others till he settles a little. my problem is that its hard to get near him as he rears and bucks? any body any suggestions on that ill be happy before he was very dosile. I thought about reduceing feed but hes by no means fat.

[vikkit06]

hi.
i know the feeling.just prepare your self with you hat.i think it would be a good idea to put her on a lunge line just incase.take her back i know your nervous but try to act confident as you walk up to the"scary monsters"and realy reasure her and praise her.if she decides to go mental you can move out of te ay sightyly as you have the lunge line.you could try one of those controlling head collers instead of youre bridle incase she goes mental again you wont damage her mouth.good luck xx