Move update - advise needed

[NoviceNic]

Hi a couple of NR asked how I am doing since my move on Saturday. Well to be honest I have almost lived up there. My OH has been brilliant and realises I wont settle until Captain is happy. :) One thing I have noticed is that even though Captain hasnt been bolshy or spooky I am nervous when I lead him or groom him or cuddle him. I find myself positioning myself in the safest spot so to avoid a crushing if he spooks. :o Did anyone else go through this? I think it is partly because there is nowhere to tie him up. So I am grooming a free standing horse that could run off at any moment if a bird comes out of the trees by chance. I dont know why I am doing this as he has been perfectly brilliant. I hacked him home on Monday and he stayed for lunch and tea. Then I hacked him back and even though a little strong nothing silly or scary. Last night I asked my OH to come to the field with me and hold Captain whilst I tacked him up and schooled him at the other end of the field. My OH was :confused: why I needed him to be there. I told him it was because I needed him to hold him up whilst I tacked up and watch me as I am not sure whether Captain will behave whilst I school in a field of other horses. :o :( Of course Captain was good. Not one bit silly, got a little nice outline. Struggled to get into canter but that is because mine and his fitness levels are down. Did a lovely turn on the forehand and then leg yield on both reins. :D But why do I feel nervous on the ground??? I have the opportunity to have a Parreli/Join up lesson so have booked myself in for that. I think once I get to use the manege then things will settle. Also plaaning to book my first lesson with Yard RI. :D

[CurlyWurlyRach]

Thats great NN
Id feel wary grooming a free horse also tbh. im sure it will come with time :)
best of luck although you sound like you are doing just fine :D

[Imp]

I know how you're feeling hun :rolleyes:

I feel like I've got a different horse. Unlike Captain Megan has been bargy and irritated by moving. We're working on it though and our IH RA has been great in showing me how to talk to her so she'll understand on the ground. All the other horses were having a hoolie in the pasture last night and Megs decided to try barging out of her stable as we were trying to lock the door. It took several 'big' gestures and 'back' back' to get her to relax a bit. She was a proper sweaty Betty afterwards. (Tell you what, sometimes it takes a moment like that to realise what a big girlie she really is :eek: ). Bless her, too much going on at once in a still strange place.

Don't forget, it's you settling in too, not just Captain Sensible http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/lynda788/laughing7.gif

Edited: is there no fence/rings that you can tie up to or a hardstanding area?

[Guest]

Nic,

What you are doing at the moment is HUGE you have moved him to a field and have no security of a yard or a nice tie up ring.
Don't worry about it, you're doing great and we all have wobbly moments now and again and need a friendly person to just 'hold' our hand.

[Stella2]

You might begin to feel better if you think in terms of making it what you need it to be. Find some bailing twine, attach it to a suitable part of the fence and viola (sp), you have somewhere to tie him :) Of course if you ask, the YO may mumble about potential damage to the fence, but bailer twine is intended to break. Its often best to simply do it, then if the powers that be take issue, you can just look suprised and remove it, but if you don't ask, there probably won't be an objection. You'll probably feel better if you take a proactive approach with whatever you need to do for it to feel like home.

[NoviceNic]

I could tie him to a gate using baling twine. But I am very reluctant because I have read so many threads about the twine not breaking and also there is a tree there where the pigeons suddenly fly out of. I know trees are my problem as at my first field I had the same problem.

When I walked him past the other horses I watched his stance. It was amazing how the first 2 horses we pass are mares. He raises his head and tucks in his neck and grows about 2 feet high. Then he gets to the big 16 2hh Irish draft softly and he lowers his head and doesnt even look him in the eye. Then past the tank... Danny a 14hh ride and drive. Captain again lowers his head and doesnt give eye contact. Then finally Thomas approx 14 2hh Welsh x ?? Captain raises his head and grows again. He doesnt drag me past all the horses which I am very greatful for. There is only a walkway past the horses. Of course the What If's are back and I can only hope they will soon go away. :(

[Stella2]

I could tie him to a gate using baling twine. But I am very reluctant because I have read so many threads about the twine not breaking and also there is a tree there where the pigeons suddenly fly out of. I know trees are my problem as at my first field I had the same problem.

When I walked him past the other horses I watched his stance. It was amazing how the first 2 horses we pass are mares. He raises his head and tucks in his neck and grows about 2 feet high. Then he gets to the big 16 2hh Irish draft softly and he lowers his head and doesnt even look him in the eye. Then past the tank... Danny a 14hh ride and drive. Captain again lowers his head and doesnt give eye contact. Then finally Thomas approx 14 2hh Welsh x ?? Captain raises his head and grows again. He doesnt drag me past all the horses which I am very greatful for. There is only a walkway past the horses. Of course the What If's are back and I can only hope they will soon go away. :(

Apparantly, they make bailer twine thicker these days and that accounts for it not breaking. The thing to do is the spit it to about 1/3 of the strands, then it will. :)

His behaviour as he passes by the others is really educational :)

[Whatanejit]

Delighted to hear you are getting there with him.

What would you advise me if i posted your post? Gosh it is a bit late for games Dee!

Seriously though. You know you need to give him time, organise a tie up areas ANYWHERE and your confidence needs to inspire him.

Best of luck hun,

Dee

[NoviceNic]

I have always found it easier to give advise than to take it and put it into practise. Here goes:-

1. Breathe deep and keep voice low and calm.

2. Think positively and keep a mental note of the good things.

3. Dont rush things. Take every day as it comes and dont be a hero.

4. Forget about the What If's and enjoy your horse.

[Whatanejit]

Re the tie up...

Aren't there some other things you can use instead of twine - the horsey catalogues sell them - I'll have a look and post later.

Oh yes, when on hacks I bring a green fuzzy looking velcro plant tie. My mum bought me a packet of them for the garden. Being velcro it is strong but would definately break with enough of a pull from a horse.

A little garden centre purchase.

xx

Dee

[domane]

Dee - I never cease to be amazed at your ingenuity and lateral thinking! What a brill idea! :D

[Whatanejit]

Shucks Jane;)

Someone said the lateral thinking thing to me in work yesterday too.

Maybe I benefited like LD from a bang on the head last March:p

Dee

[Dummer&Drummer]

hi NN, id not worry about the twine not breaking - he'll break it if he needs to ive never had a problem with drummer and have some tied in my car boot for some shows we were trailer less :)

whilst drummer has been on box rest he has been starving and has snapped about 4 pieces of string.

id get yourself up some string on the gate maybe and like you said breath deep and slow and take your time doing things and think to yourself you are going to be strong as you boy needs you to show him the way whilst he settles him self in - go on a go slow, confident but take you time xx

[Soupdragon]

I think you are doing great and the "what ifs" are only natural for us matures - we have a sense of self preservation! I would be nervous about grooming a loose horse in an environment that's still new and schooling in a field with other horses.

I think you should take your own advice - it sounds good to me!

I have always found it easier to give advise than to take it and put it into practise. Here goes:-

1. Breathe deep and keep voice low and calm.

2. Think positively and keep a mental note of the good things.

3. Dont rush things. Take every day as it comes and dont be a hero.

4. Forget about the What If's and enjoy your horse

[Tots N Dots]

I have had Pickle a year and he has only just started to be tied up, (thanks Holiday ;) ), I would agree with making the baler twine thinner, my last mare was on bale twine and still broke 2 head collars, I actually prefer to tack up out side not tied up, I think I get a bit claustrophobic in the stable, but then I am a bit strange :p , I have had a few problems with Pickle before, as I did so much without a head collar on, that when I did put it on he played up a bit, he is lots better now as I realised I was causing the problem, but he will stand in the middle of a field with no head collar to have his rug put on, his feet picked out, I have even put a saddle on him to measure for a girth with nothing else on him. so I suppose it is what you get used to?
hope you a settling in well and having a good time, see you soon hun :D