Post by Zoe RA on Feb 9, 2010 20:42:40 GMT 1
Originally bought to bring on and sell on, "Harry", a 7 year old 12.2hh Section B who has been in his current home off and on for 4 years (he was loaned out to a family friend and her children, and then sent to a riding school to bring on), because of physical problems, this has not gone according to plan. I was told that not only had he developed a dislike to strange people, but he had also developed an aversion to being ridden by children - which is more than a bit of a draw back at his hight!
So, I was asked in to work with him and see if I could put my finger on what it is that is bothering him with children (the last young lady to try and get on him was known to be a quiet rider, so his owner was surprised when she didn't even get in the saddle before bombing off), and hopefully get him back on track with strangers.
Well, I was unable to help with the "don't like strangers" bit because he and I were smooching the second I clapped eyes on him - he is totally adorable ;D ;D ;D But on a serious note I did suggest that it could well be that it is how he is approached rather than strangers per say, and was quite possibly linked with veterinary treatment in the past.
We headed off toward the school with his owner's arms full of saddle, and my arms full of dummy and lead rope ..... attached to cute pony
I dumped the dummy in the school (Harry at this point remembered he was a typical native and started to eat it ) and did some trust building/boundary setting with him before getting the dummy.
My dummy has a zip middle so that I can introduce it to the horses really slowly in two parts. This was something I developed for a remedial starter I was working with some time ago who was so traumatised from a previous mounting incident that he was unable to cope with even a hand up his neck when I first met him.
So, after some advance and retreat on behalf of the dummy (who still needs a name by the way - ideas on a postcard please .......) Harry was accept if not happy with the legs over his back
Note his stance. He is gritting his teeth - which gives the impression of a soft, relaxed bottom lip - he has little worried tiangles above his eyes, his ears are back, and his whole back end is braced against the "thing" on his back.
Disregard the tuft of fur on his bottom - that is just where his rug had rouged it up
I then worked up to the point that he was accepting of the dummy all zipped up together being swung on and off his saddle, slipping around on his back, and falling off from both sides.
The aim was to teach Harry to stop still if he felt his rider even slip in the saddle, and to be absolutely stock still if they fell off. He really did grasp this very well bless him.
We ended the session once we actually got one ear forward ;D
His owner only held him for the photo, which is why she is not wearing her hat I hasten to add
What I did pick up is that Harry is not only very stiff on his near side, but that his anterior superficial pectoral muscles are totally uneven, with his near side being much bigger than his off side. With this in mind I suggested to his owner that when the physio came out to see her other horse last Friday, that she give Harry the once over as well. I strongly suspect that he originally tried to get rid of his young riders due to pain, and he has now not only still in discomfort, but has now scared himself too.
I'll keep you posted
So, I was asked in to work with him and see if I could put my finger on what it is that is bothering him with children (the last young lady to try and get on him was known to be a quiet rider, so his owner was surprised when she didn't even get in the saddle before bombing off), and hopefully get him back on track with strangers.
Well, I was unable to help with the "don't like strangers" bit because he and I were smooching the second I clapped eyes on him - he is totally adorable ;D ;D ;D But on a serious note I did suggest that it could well be that it is how he is approached rather than strangers per say, and was quite possibly linked with veterinary treatment in the past.
We headed off toward the school with his owner's arms full of saddle, and my arms full of dummy and lead rope ..... attached to cute pony
I dumped the dummy in the school (Harry at this point remembered he was a typical native and started to eat it ) and did some trust building/boundary setting with him before getting the dummy.
My dummy has a zip middle so that I can introduce it to the horses really slowly in two parts. This was something I developed for a remedial starter I was working with some time ago who was so traumatised from a previous mounting incident that he was unable to cope with even a hand up his neck when I first met him.
So, after some advance and retreat on behalf of the dummy (who still needs a name by the way - ideas on a postcard please .......) Harry was accept if not happy with the legs over his back
Note his stance. He is gritting his teeth - which gives the impression of a soft, relaxed bottom lip - he has little worried tiangles above his eyes, his ears are back, and his whole back end is braced against the "thing" on his back.
Disregard the tuft of fur on his bottom - that is just where his rug had rouged it up
I then worked up to the point that he was accepting of the dummy all zipped up together being swung on and off his saddle, slipping around on his back, and falling off from both sides.
The aim was to teach Harry to stop still if he felt his rider even slip in the saddle, and to be absolutely stock still if they fell off. He really did grasp this very well bless him.
We ended the session once we actually got one ear forward ;D
His owner only held him for the photo, which is why she is not wearing her hat I hasten to add
What I did pick up is that Harry is not only very stiff on his near side, but that his anterior superficial pectoral muscles are totally uneven, with his near side being much bigger than his off side. With this in mind I suggested to his owner that when the physio came out to see her other horse last Friday, that she give Harry the once over as well. I strongly suspect that he originally tried to get rid of his young riders due to pain, and he has now not only still in discomfort, but has now scared himself too.
I'll keep you posted