Post by irishcob on Sept 26, 2010 18:14:45 GMT 1
The lovely Zoe Chipman came to stay last night, and we had a lovely evening drinking gin by the fire and gossiping. There was also possibly singing involved... 
And the next morning Zoe put her IH hat on (literally) and set to work with helping me and my horse Badger with his Pig Phobia. Ever since a couple of years ago when a local small holder decided to rear a few pigs, we have been having huge issues going on one of my favourite hacks. It really doesn't help that the pig field is on the corner of a narrow, sunken road, so that the pigs are not only 'hiding' around the corner, but also about 10 feet tall!!
My other two horses couldn't care less, but as far as Badger is concerned, these pesky porcines are Horse Eating Devils and not to be trusted. My previous efforts at getting him past just result in him planting and rearing higher and higher until he spins round and tries to bugger off...
So Zoe talked me into riding out in the Dually. Being a big strong horse, I wasn't too sure, but it made sense to try, and also if he did throw himself around there was no chance of him being socked in the teeth by a bit. Plastered in head to toe in High Viz we tottered off to the Corner Of Doom. It is genuinely fear based behaviour and his eyes were on stalks but Zoe calmly clipped on a long line and helped keep us moving, and we began to work riding up and down and back and forth past the piggies. There were some little rears and attempts to spin, but with the Zoe on the line we could keep moving forward and slowly slowly he started to cope better, and eventually managing to unclip. A miracle!
So we left it on a good note and hacked home to sponge off a sweat-soaked Badger and have a celebratory cup of tea. After letting him have an hour or so chilling in his paddock, we brought him in again and retacked up. Badger definately not impressed! Zoe followed us in the car towards the piggies again, and he was very on his toes. As we approached the lane he couldn't contain himself anymore and starting dancing around, backing up, nearly squashing Zoe's car and trying to tank off for home. It was as if he couldn't bear the anticipation of what was to come. And yet once Zoe had managed to park up and come and rescue us with a long line, he then bravely walked past those dastardly piggies twice in a row beautifully
. So certainly the time to mull it over in the field HAD helped once he got there, but the genuine fear caused him to panic before he'd tried, if that makes sense?
Anyway we were delighted with his 'try' and so hacked back home and told him how incredibly brave and clever he is.
So, work in progress, with a way to go, but what a positive start to helping him overcome his fear. Thank you SO much Zoe, you are a super star!
Zoe with Badger and Woody, chilling in their field
Zoe having a little chat with the big man
And the next morning Zoe put her IH hat on (literally) and set to work with helping me and my horse Badger with his Pig Phobia. Ever since a couple of years ago when a local small holder decided to rear a few pigs, we have been having huge issues going on one of my favourite hacks. It really doesn't help that the pig field is on the corner of a narrow, sunken road, so that the pigs are not only 'hiding' around the corner, but also about 10 feet tall!!
My other two horses couldn't care less, but as far as Badger is concerned, these pesky porcines are Horse Eating Devils and not to be trusted. My previous efforts at getting him past just result in him planting and rearing higher and higher until he spins round and tries to bugger off...
So Zoe talked me into riding out in the Dually. Being a big strong horse, I wasn't too sure, but it made sense to try, and also if he did throw himself around there was no chance of him being socked in the teeth by a bit. Plastered in head to toe in High Viz we tottered off to the Corner Of Doom. It is genuinely fear based behaviour and his eyes were on stalks but Zoe calmly clipped on a long line and helped keep us moving, and we began to work riding up and down and back and forth past the piggies. There were some little rears and attempts to spin, but with the Zoe on the line we could keep moving forward and slowly slowly he started to cope better, and eventually managing to unclip. A miracle!
So we left it on a good note and hacked home to sponge off a sweat-soaked Badger and have a celebratory cup of tea. After letting him have an hour or so chilling in his paddock, we brought him in again and retacked up. Badger definately not impressed! Zoe followed us in the car towards the piggies again, and he was very on his toes. As we approached the lane he couldn't contain himself anymore and starting dancing around, backing up, nearly squashing Zoe's car and trying to tank off for home. It was as if he couldn't bear the anticipation of what was to come. And yet once Zoe had managed to park up and come and rescue us with a long line, he then bravely walked past those dastardly piggies twice in a row beautifully
. So certainly the time to mull it over in the field HAD helped once he got there, but the genuine fear caused him to panic before he'd tried, if that makes sense?Anyway we were delighted with his 'try' and so hacked back home and told him how incredibly brave and clever he is.
So, work in progress, with a way to go, but what a positive start to helping him overcome his fear. Thank you SO much Zoe, you are a super star!
Zoe with Badger and Woody, chilling in their field
Zoe having a little chat with the big man
".
