| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kes |
Posted - 02 Jun 2011 : 9:11:04 PM
I have done a search and didn't find much on this topic so thought I would ask people's thoughts and maybe some can share their experience.
I have a 6yo newly backed and I am hoping to get him out in traffic very soon. So far when he has seen vehicles moving around whilst tied in the yard he has had various reactions from 'fixed eyes on the scary thing' to 'I'm going back to my paddock now'.
In people's opinions which is safer and best for the horse to learn: Taking a horse on the roads in-hand (trusty 12ft line will come in handy here), I would follow another field companion who I know to be good in traffic or, ride him out with same trusted field companion and have OH armed with same 12ft line just in case?I would be interested in knowing what has worked well for other people, also, knowing what not to try would be helpful.
The area directly outside the yard gate is village/residential but it does have a bus route every 30 minutes. Drivers in our area know we and another yard who are close by use these roads a lot so are generally quite considerate.
I have a highviz to wear and life insurance, equine insurance...
Any ideas would be great, Carole. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kes |
Posted - 15 Jun 2011 : 09:16:38 AM
GemBav, sounds like you've made a good start, I've yet to try Kes in traffic. It's slightly off-putting when even a vehicle driving into the yard really gets his his attention (in the beginning he would look in absolute horror and spook), but at least now he accepts that cars aren't going to chase him away! |
| GemBav |
Posted - 15 Jun 2011 : 07:16:26 AM
Thank you Kes
I have been lurking in the back ground for over a year, thought it was about time to join you all on here 
I am just starting to ride my boy out on the roads (on his own to start with to build on his braveness) and he's done very well so far, next is to ride out in a couple of different groups I think.
I hope all is going well for you so far.
Arabesque: there's nothing wrong with the singing, I do this on the odd occassion with my horses. I even use it to catch my Welsh C from the field, he runs off every time I approach him if I don't sing, he's so bezarre lol |
| Kes |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 11:02:04 PM
That has been the funniest part of this thread, the confessions of singing and song choice |
| arabesque |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 9:32:10 PM
Love the singing confessions - at last I feel normal(ish)!
Years ago I used to show a very flighty hunter, and sang to her to to keep her in a rhythmic pace - 'Horsey horsey don't you stop...' worked well for trot, and 'Half a pound of tuppeny rice...' for canter! Spectators probably thought I was a bit simple  ,but no-one else ever succeeded with her! The strange thing is, I was probably safer on the road with her than anywhere else, she was always good in traffic - maybe because I was young enough to not anticipate any problems. I'm sure it's true that if you are unfazed, they usually are too . Good luck on your first day out! |
| Kes |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 09:02:51 AM
Thanks everyone for your advice, it's good to know what worked well and what didn't. Also very interesting to know everyone's song choice
I see you are new to the site GemBav so   |
| GemBav |
Posted - 13 Jun 2011 : 10:35:41 PM
I agree with MORAG with using 1 or 2 other friends to walk between your horse and the traffic. This is what I did and I also got them to do the thanking to the drivers so that I could concentrate on dealing with my boy (trust me I needed to, as he also found the painted signs on the road too scary to walk on at one point lol).
I would also recommend to try and walk out a few times through housing estates, there's nothing more scary to some horses than a kid on their bike, some one mowing their garden, someone washing their car or even a little lady popping out from behind a bush whilst doing their gardening 
Anyway, I hope this helps you a little bit x |
| shah |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 09:27:31 AM
My badly sung song is Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' - such a happy song, can't possibly spook during that one |
| Callisto |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 07:59:54 AM
Lily's main song is 'she'll be coming round the mountains when she comes', Harley used to get hymns.... |
| Kes |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 12:15:47 AM
Wow, 120 vintage cars and bikes, I think that would be a test for any horse, young or older.
I like your song And if it works for Tamba, even better
Carole. |
| Bebely |
Posted - 08 Jun 2011 : 11:56:31 PM
I am on a yard with lovely access to bridleways but need to use some country lanes. I find the country lanes hard because the traffic isn't constant, most drivers are considerate but then the odd one isn't.
I started Tamba by walking in hand along side an older, steady horse, then walking in hand by himself. I did loads of pretend traffic work - friends on bikes, scarey stuff in the school, my husband on a motorbike.
When I backed him we went back to walking out with another horse and then progressed to going out on his own. He is pretty good with most average traffic but if something really scarey appears I jump off and lead him as he seems much more confident if I am by his head.
At the end of April we survived being passed by a vintage car ride out. 120 vintage cars and motor bikes! He wasn't happy but we lived to tell the tale so - result!
I also sing but Tamba has his very own song (to the tune of Santa Baby)
Tamba baby, you've got to be a good little boy, for me
You've got to do the best that you can, Tamba baby
So you can be the best in the world..ta da..de dum (and repeat)
|
| Kes |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 9:35:26 PM
Yay, we are all singers!!! It's all coming out now!! Shall I re-name this topic, 'Horse-owners Got Talent', we might even get 'The Hoff'......
I think if I was on my own and had no choice but to take Kes out in traffic on his own, unless he was very confident and not at all spooky I would probably go on foot. I am lucky in that Kes's very large field companion can go in the lead and my friend with his Friesian can go beside me on the offside, or vise verse.
We all have to apply different methods that suit out horses and predicament, the most important thing, we all stay safe.
Hazelcat, that was very brave of you with no back up or help, glad everything turned out well for you |
| jasjmm |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 8:58:45 PM
I always end up singing "I was born under a wondering star..." for some reason. That and endlessly waffling to Madaba while out. He doesn't need reassurance, he's as bombproof as you can get, but I'm just so used to waffling to him anyway!! I've always had a sneaky suspicion that if someone recorded me, I'd probably get certified... |
| hazelcat74 |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 8:56:22 PM
Yes I agree it does depend on the horse as to whether leading out is a good idea, with mine it worked very well but of course not everyone will want to do this. I had no-one to ride out with and felt more confident on foot with a horse that was new and scared of anything and everything. Good luck with your boy |
| Kes |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 8:06:12 PM
Hiya, you raise an interesting point that came up with me a couple of weeks ago. I had the opportunity to move to a lovely yard with direct Downs access, no traffic whatsoever. But what happens if you go to a show, un-load your horse and tie him up and then all the lorries, trailers and cars start to pass and park near you. If your horse has never seen and heard a moving vehicle would he or she not be upset or worse, certainly not what you would want before entering a class.
Because of this lovely yard only having off-road riding, it was one of the biggest factors that I decided not move there. I wanted Kes to be 100% with everything so I would never have to be in the position of worrying about his reactions in any given situation.
I can however understand and agree with you that moving to a yard with off-road riding would be bliss, but it would have to be after traffic training and this yards only reachable proper road was a 60/70mph dual-carriageway!
I think a lot of people chat and sing to their horses, it's quite funny, and nice, that people are admitting to it though (I don't feel like the odd one out now anyway ) |
| Eeyore |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 4:59:40 PM
I'm another one that talks constantly  We have a few songs as well for windy days, he hates wind I'm still traffic training Marim and he's 9. He used to have a field by the side of a busy road so has seen everything there is to see but somehow it's different when the 'monsters' are right next to you. It's the noise that gets Marim, not what the 'monsters' look like! I'm glad it's not just me that has traffic training worries. My dream would be to live somewhere with off road hacking straight off the yard, that would be bliss. |
| Kes |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 12:46:55 PM
Lol, that's great like your style!!
If you are the one who has been 'Singing in the Rain' this morning then I thank you for the rain we now have (for the grass), although if you could stop it at about 5.30 when I want to ride I would be most grateful
Before now when out on rides on my own I have had mountain bikers creep up behind me when I have been rabbiting on to my horse, most embarrassing, but I least I wasn't singing!!
I too am guilty of making up weird and wonderful rhymes, I think if our horses know and trust us it must be more calming for them to hear out calm voices. And like when people soothe babies, it doesn't matter what you say, it's your tone of voice.
I think if you can get over say, the first 5 rides out with a youngster you feel a lot better. It's that anxiety before the first time. Not because you are scared, you just don't want a terrible accident which lets face it, happen all too often sadly.
Carole. |
| cmj |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 12:28:06 PM
Well we should be on Britain's got Talent shouldn't we! Strangely all I can sing is "Singing in the Rain" when riding Tried a bit of Luther Vandross but couldn't remember the words. Do a lot of "talking up" too, as much for me as him, goes something like this
"I know that stupid dog is barking at you but I'M TELLING YOU to walk on, so stop being a MUPPET and remember your mother is on board who needs LOOKING AFTER....." and so it goes |
| Kes |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 11:58:34 AM
I really understand where you are coming from there. Top of my mind is safety and the what-ifs. I realise that Kes has to go out and see the traffic but I think we all, at a point, have to put faith in ourselves, our horses and our ability and maybe a pinch of luck for those first few times that we don't meet the worst thing going. The horse being a flight animal has instinct telling him/her that if scared or frightened here's what you do, hopefully out training will allow us to take control of that situation should it arise and carry on safely. I know Kes is going to spook, it's going to happen and there's nothing I can do to prevent it. But there is plenty I can do to keep safe, let him see and learn, and my confidence and leadership should make him more confident and reduce anxiety.
I said this recently to another AL member, it's amazing how many of us sing or chat incessantly to our horses to diffuse any nerves and it keeps the horses attention on you more. Us Arab owners/riders/handlers but all have fab singing voices by now..............or maybe..
Carole. |
| cmj |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 10:29:35 AM
I think traffic training is horrid to have to do personally because there is such danger and yet we have to be confident and calm. I always start all my Arabs and made the decision many years ago that when I first started going on the road I would simply get off if I saw any vehicle coming in the distance and lead mine. Dreadful for your horse to be killed BUT worse for you to be killed (obviously this is a rather extreme philosophy!!!) Anyway, it has worked fine for me, they soon got used to the traffic and I didn't feel the need to get off.
I am doing exactly the same thing with my 5-year old in France now. He has had loads of ponying off my other saintly boy. I've got off several times for cars and trailers, now I sit on for cars as long as there is somewhere to get off the road if needed. And I sing etc so that I don't hold tension All going well. I think the real danger is more that they can jump into the road from something silly in the hedge. Mine doesn't yet ride in shoulder-in sufficiently for me to feel safe about this aspect. Working on it though. In France there are a lot of electric fences right near the roadside, now that seriously scares me as if he touches that it doesn't bear thinking about.
Look after yourself hun. Safety is paramount.
x C |
| Kes |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 12:56:16 AM
Hi Hazelcat, there have been some varied replies all of which I am grateful for. It seems some advocate leading out whilst others say mounted is safer, I think it depends on the horse, rider/handler ability, your relationship with the horse and many other things which are all important but I could go on forever. I did lots of leadership training with Kes at ground level (obviously) and he walks beside me obediently with me being both the leader and protector. Today I was walking him through the yard and for the first time a white carrier bag all puffed up in the wind was blowing towards us. I strode on purposefully and he trod on it! So much for scared! Having said that, there is a big pile of rubble outside the gate which he jumps sideways at. I always use a 12ft line so when he jumps away from me I give him the length of the line and stand still, he just stops, turns towards me and gives me that butter-wouldn't-melt look! I would be happy to take him out on foot as I know he won't drag me, but that doesn't stop him spooking possibly into something dangerous. As I only rode him properly for the first time yesterday (I got him 2 months ago and have put in a lot of hard work) I wouldn't be confident enough just yet to ride him on the roads as I can't try and predict what he might do. I need to do more work in the school but at least I can do that on-board now. I'm hoping that if I can do short riding sessions with him everyday this week then by Friday I will do a short ride with 2 other big horses who he knows. A very steady large Warmblood who is his field friend and a ride and drive Friesian. I want the Friesian to lead and the Warmblood beside me closest to the traffic. He has apparently been out in traffic before but after seeing his initial reactions to vehicles moving around in the yard I knew he must have not seen much.
Carole. |
| hazelcat74 |
Posted - 04 Jun 2011 : 11:47:52 PM
My mare was 5 when i got her and though I was told she was used to traffic she came from the middle of nowhere so had seen very little, and was scared of everything, white lines on the roads, people walking, drain covers,brightly coloured flowers, she was pretty bad. I did lots of walking her out in hand and soon found that if I marched along confidently she would follow, and most drivers I find to be pretty good, if she was scared of something she would scurry past behind me. There wasn't really anyone else to go out with, great if you do have a quiet horse to accompany you, but they do take confidence from you as well. Some people thought I was silly and should just get on and ride her, but she isn't strong to lead, never pulls even if scared, and it definitely helped get her used to stuff and helped her develop trust in me too. If your horse is good to lead and you feel confident to do it, perhaps with someone else too, it can be very good for them. Interestingly my mare still now is not so bothered about the traffic, its silly little things that upset her, ie empty crisp packet on pavement! |
| MinHe |
Posted - 04 Jun 2011 : 12:02:14 AM
I third the long whip idea - I have always found it works. It's amazing how drivers who don't seem to worry about the idea of half a ton of horse coming through the windscreen are cowed by the thought of scratching their motor!
Keren |
| Kes |
Posted - 03 Jun 2011 : 10:08:50 PM
Hey Morag, you can never be too careful!
Etoile - my OH rides a (very loud) motorbike, not a bicycle, I forsee 
Funnily enough though, years ago when on the Downs with my TB mare my OH came up with me on a quadbike, after about half an hour Harley was following him like he had a bag of carrots or something, very strange as it was noisy so thought she would hate it but was cantering along only a few metres behind it.
Carole.
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| morag |
Posted - 03 Jun 2011 : 9:30:11 PM
Kes - forgot to say I like your optimism - life insurance! |
| morag |
Posted - 03 Jun 2011 : 9:29:08 PM
When we took our youngster out on the road we had long-reins on plus we had one in front and one behind to stop the traffic passing until we were happy it was safe. Difficult getting three people in one place but it was so much safer - still got idiots trying to go round the walkers but it is amazing how you can face them down carrying a long whip and a glare When we progressed to riding along the road we had a car in front with hazard lights on and drove down the middle of the lanes to stop traffic to a crawl to go past!! Some might say that was anti-social but tough - must say I live in deep country though - might not go down so well in suburbia! Mostly agricultural implement proof - the biggest Green John Deere tractor ever - he walked straight past and round the back - and shied at the sheep in the field gate. |
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