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geegee
Platinum Member
 England
3682 Posts |
 Posted - 21 May 2007 : 08:56:48 AM
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Hi,
I have been doing groundwork with Minuette (unbroken AA rising 5) and things have been ok. I have been following the lines of NH and she is quite responsive to this. I have one major problem. If she spooks, she thinks nothing of turning on a sixpence and running. If I am in the way she has gone straight through me. She did this yesterday and knocked me flying. I hit my head and was dazed for quite some time.
I thought that I had taught her to respect my space but she seems to forget all about this when she spooks. I was on the end of a 12ft line at the time and am considering using a longer line but wondered if anyone has any suggestions?
Thanks.
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 09:30:17 AM
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First suggestion---always wear a hat!! Not much help otherwise. I've been there---Samantha, my PBA, was a rescue case and all through her rehabilitation groundwork, and ridden work, no matter how far she progressed if she spooked she completely lost the plot and lost all thought for her own safety never mind mine.I'm sure you won't have such a hard job with your girl because she isn't a rescue, just a bit immature and babyish by the sounds, but I do sympathise. Stopping, or at least damping down, the spooking is the key, but that's a biggy.
Keep safe |
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kofihorse
Bronze Member
241 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 10:57:18 AM
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I am definitely no expert but I believe that the reason most NH trainers use a 12' line is because that is about the average distance a horse jumps away when it spooks. I know that Richard Maxwell shows you how to brace yourself at a 45 degree angle to their shoulder and the horse hits the end of the rope with your feet firmly planted and thus stable.And you need to look small and non-threatening for her to come back towards you.
I think that Parelli teach you to stand "tall" and look the horse in the eye while flapping the rope to keep them out of your space.So I guess it's a balance of both to keep horse where you want her.
It is frightening when they run over the top of you so I guess that she needs to learn that a) you are not a horse with instant reflexes to get out of her way and b) your space is NOT to be invaded under any circumstances.
I am sure there will be someone on here who can tell you how best to achieve this, meanwhile, wear hat and gloves for safety!!! |
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katherineepea
Gold Member
England
883 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 10:39:40 PM
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| my friends non arab mare does this and its terrifying but we still havent found a solution she is using a chifney at the moment as she does it without warning when being led. id be interested to see peoples solutions but definately wear a hat even if its not 'ccol' as it much less cool to have a hoof in your head |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 08:10:43 AM
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Zan, I think you hit the nail on the head. She is rather immature and babyish.
I can understand why, she spent 4 yrs of her life with her breeder and living with her mum and sister and then she relocates hundreds of miles away and finds herself living with 2 other mares and a gelding that she would not tolerate to start with.
She took a looooong time to settle in and started to feel her feet with my other horses. Thank god for my little pony. She is the only one that stands up to her otherwise I think that Minuette would be the Alpha mare and my job would be alot more difficult.
We have established a bond and she has gone from being a horse that I thought would not want cuddles to being quite an affectionate mare, which pleases me. I love giving them cuddles.
She has done this spooking from day one and it has gradually improved. I had just been away for a couple of days and maybe I was in the wrong position. I had let me guard down, possibly. She is so sharp sometimes and I think my break had made me a little complacent (sp?)
I will definately be wearing a hat in future and she has been as good as gold since, so have put it down to experience and not going to dwell on it too much now.
Thanks for your replies |
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palomino698
New Member
England
6 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 2:26:37 PM
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| I can only second the suggestion to wear a hat and gloves when leading her, and watch with interest for any suggestions re the spooking. Good luck! |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2007 : 12:11:24 PM
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| good advice - hat, gloves and decent footwear. i have a really good idea though...... get someone else to do it. spoken like a true coward |
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Alyth Long
Bronze Member
New Zealand
88 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2007 : 04:34:09 AM
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| When she spooks and runs over you she is in panic mode and doesn't even know you exist. Yes, try a longer rope as that will give you more "drift". But you need to watch her and get her doing things such as sideways or hindquarter yields before she gets to that stage. You need to see what happens before what happens happens!!! Are you following a particular programme? Alyth |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2007 : 08:56:15 AM
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Hat and gloves have definately been used since.
LOL at Pixie's comments. The thought had crossed my mind  . The main reason being that I have 3 others to look after and cannot afford to be laid up with an injury....BUT
Since it happened, I have made a few observations.
She is certainly more spooky when she is in season. She doesn't like the rain or wind. (not many that do, but this makes her spooky too).
She has also started to latch onto my elderly mare. I think the small pony has pushed her away.
Alyth - I am not following any particular programme. It is a bit of a mixture of Parelli, Kelly Marks and a local trainer's advice. I always try to analyse her behaviour once I have finished working with her. If she is spooked, she will always run towards me. She never runs from me. The trouble is, she is SO quick! I never saw her coming, which makes me think/realise that I must have put myself in the wrong position. It is all a blur so I am not going to ever know what really happened.
Not long after the above incident, I had her on a lunge line. She was in her spooky mood and was trying to run towards me. Rightly or wrongly, I pointed the carrot stick at her to stop her from coming towards me. I figured that if she walked into it, she was doing it to herself. She soon learned that walking into my space was uncomfortable to her and she happily walked on the circle that she was meant to.
She is a very intelligent girly and I have to be one step ahead of her, but *touches wood* for the last 3 weeks she has been an absolute angel.
She is very good at moving sideways, going back and hindquarter yields. When she comes into her stable, she will turn sideways and hold her down for me to take off her halter and will not move away from me until I give her the signal. She will then step sideways aways from me to eat her dinner. When I first got her she didn't like me in the stable with her whilst she was eating and I wasn't prepared to accept this as she was trying to dominate me. Now I could groom her, if I wanted. Not that I would, as I do like to leave them alone when eating but not because they say so....
Sorry to have rambled on  but if you have any other comments, they would be very welcome.
Thanks, Lisa
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Edited by - geegee on 17 Jun 2007 08:57:11 AM |
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2007 : 5:45:37 PM
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Geegee: sounds like you have a good programme and that things are going well. Glad the incident hasn't had any lasting repercussions. Sounds like you and your horse(s) have a good relationship.
Keep on truckin'!
Grey Girl |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
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Alyth Long
Bronze Member
New Zealand
88 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2007 : 8:28:09 PM
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| Hi - sounds like you are doing fine!! Just keep her hooves busy and her mind working when you are in a situation that could turn to custard!! Alyth |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2007 : 7:41:33 PM
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Thanks, Grey girl and Alyth. Certainly will keep truckin'. She is worth it  |
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pat day
Moderator
United Kingdom
5324 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2007 : 08:16:17 AM
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The fastest learner, most fiesty, and definately most loyal of my lot is Ffashion. She sounds much like your lass as a youngster.
I have had great results with a clicker, it completely turned her around, so much in fact, she will sometimes go to touch really scary things when perhaps she shouldnt.
I can only say this worked for us.
Boneeta is going to go down the same route, when I have a little more time, which will be after our show and the nationals.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TREASURES AT TEMPLEWOOD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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jacki
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1988 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2007 : 10:46:27 AM
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Pat your horses are wonderfully trained i still tell people about meena and the buket it still tickels me!
Hope you and john are well. And your not working to hard for the show this year! Im hoping to drive up to malvern for the day with india which day will you be riding?
Take care xxx |
sittingbourne kent |
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Silvern_Scepris
Gold Member
England
1084 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2007 : 11:03:43 AM
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Hi Pat, how would I find out more about Clicker training? Thanks 
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London/Essex Border |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2007 : 12:09:13 PM
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Hi pat, Clicker training never crossed my mind to be honest. And it was only a couple of days ago that I threw the clickers in the bin Wondering whether they are still there. Might go rooting.
Do you use tit-bits when using the clicker to start with?
Thanks |
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pat day
Moderator
United Kingdom
5324 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2007 : 9:37:49 PM
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Hi girls,
I just used the same proceedure as with a dog really.
Although I do beleive there is an equine book published on this now.
I started with just a click and treat, (date), then feed bag in stable etc, which they obviousl;y want to smell, then stuff on the yard, then progressed to bits in the arena. Ffashion really enjoyed it.
Must add, Taklimakan never took to it . He never really settled with the click!!
But, he is a big soppy boy!!!!
I think Boneeta will do well because she is the type that
'needs to know' just as Ffashion is/was.
Jackie, Darlin, can you confirm your email address, I have tried three times, re; Cake and photos, and mailer demon responds!!!
XX |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TREASURES AT TEMPLEWOOD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Edited by - pat day on 19 Jun 2007 9:48:15 PM |
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pat day
Moderator
United Kingdom
5324 Posts |
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jacki
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1988 Posts |
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Kirsty5278
Platinum Member
England
2682 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 2:10:17 PM
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| ...about being spooky in the rain and wind... Mine is SUPER spooky in the rain and wind too - to the point where I don't take him out alone in that weather now - last time the wind picked up he bolted all the way home, there was nothing I could do! |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2007 : 09:08:09 AM
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I understand where you are coming from, Kirsty. The way that I am seeing it is that there is no valid reason for my mare to be spooky in the wind and rain and I am going to try and desensitise her to this as I don't want to be in the situation where I am unable to work her in those conditions.
Funny enough, she may be spooky with wind and rain but over the last couple of days we have had some mighty claps of thunder and lightening and you have probably guessed it already, she is not bothered at all
I am aiming to teach her that it is OK to be frightened of things but she needs to trust ME, so that I can lead her up to anything that is bothering her and let her touch it or look at something that is scary and realise that I wouldn't put her in any danger and to walk past it.....
It's funny how they can be scared of the silly things and yet the things that WE would find scary, they turn a blind eye. Having 4 horses, it amazes me how they are all completely different in their fears, phobia, braveness and personalities etc. I find it absolutely fascinating |
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2007 : 6:54:47 PM
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Amelia from a day old foal was taught that it's okay to be scared of things BUT you must eventually approach it and touch it with your nose (if appropriate). As a result when she is frightened she stands dead still (possibly with one or two steps backwards) until she plucks up the nerve to creep up to the scary thing. Whereupon she announces Bored Now and loses interest in it forevermore.
I encourage her constantly when we meet scary things; when I first got her I would tie plastic bags all over the place, with a small treat in, and when we went for a walk in-hand we had to find the bags, go up to them and fish the treat out.
I sometimes think horses ignore the really seriously scary things (eg like cranes knocking buildings down - something we once met unexpectedly as we went round a corner and she strolled past without so much as flicking an ear) because they are TOO scary - sort of: That's Just Too Big To Deal With So I'll Pretend I Can't See It. Crane? What Crane?
Whereas small things it's: AAAAAHHHH It's A Crisp Packet! Run For Your Life!
Funny things, aren't they?
Grey Girl
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Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE" |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2007 : 7:15:02 PM
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Grey Girl, I must try the plastic bags. That is a great tip, thanks!
It sounds like Amelia has had a wonderful upbringing.
LOL at the crisp packet. My gelding is the safest horse on the road. Lorries, tractors, motorbikes are nothing to be scared of but a piece of paper or packet tumbling down the road or path is the biggest monster going.
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