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Eeyore
Gold Member
1181 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 4:59:40 PM
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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. |
Heléna
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 8:06:12 PM
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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 ) |
    
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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hazelcat74
Silver Member
472 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 8:56:22 PM
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| 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 |
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jasjmm
Gold Member
625 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 8:58:45 PM
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| 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... |
    
Bristol |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2011 : 9:35:26 PM
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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 |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Bebely
Gold Member
United Kingdom
813 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2011 : 11:56:31 PM
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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)
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Bev |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 12:15:47 AM
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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. |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 07:59:54 AM
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| Lily's main song is 'she'll be coming round the mountains when she comes', Harley used to get hymns.... |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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shah
Gold Member
England
1356 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jun 2011 : 09:27:31 AM
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| My badly sung song is Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' - such a happy song, can't possibly spook during that one |
West Sussex |
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GemBav
New Member
4 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2011 : 10:35:41 PM
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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 |
Gem xx
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 09:02:51 AM
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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   |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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arabesque
Silver Member
339 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 9:32:10 PM
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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! |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2011 : 11:02:04 PM
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| That has been the funniest part of this thread, the confessions of singing and song choice |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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GemBav
New Member
4 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2011 : 07:16:26 AM
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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 |
Gem xx
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2011 : 09:16:38 AM
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| 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! |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Topic |
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Traffic training for youngsters.
