Slight blip with new horse! Guess it can't all go to plan?

[kt with Hanni]

Hi

Cody is naturally on high alert usually but in the school normally fine. Well today trying to even get him in the school was a slight mission but perserved quietly. Got in as we had a saddle fitter looking at new saddles. Now he was fine to begin with. When we tried second saddle was fine and then he saw geese in field which he doesn't see often. It was also windy. So he had a pretty big spook which involved jumping around a bit and basically his flight instinct cut in. Luckily no bucking which I'm worries by. The saddle shouted well sat so it was quite a big spook. We carried on but I said I just wanted to walk and trot only. I was a tad nervous at that point but knew I had to carry on.

I have a lesson tomorrow ( luckily) good timing. I even gave us both some rescue remedy to see if that helped chill him. It's really early days still I know. When I took him out to field he had to stop and look at everything but didn't actually spook- just felt like he would

Can anyone give me some positive words to help me? I'm worried I'm going to go downhill but I really can't. I don't think it was the saddle comfort as he had been ok until
He glared at the geese and make it a massive issue.

Thanks

[hislordshipsmum]

Don't beat yourself up, as you say its early days and still loads of things you can do to build Cody's and your confidence up. Go back to ground work exercises to build up your relationship and trust. Geese are very scarey!!! and windy too which never helps. Learn from the experience. Harry hated things above him so we got a long pole with a kite on the end and gradually built up to it flying over his head (slowly, slowly). It's finding things to use to replicate the problems so that you can work in a safe area under your control to help deal with situations that might arise later on. Your doing great, try and enjoy the learning curve and challenge yourself and Cody but in situations that you can control. Also do things in short sessions and always finish on something that you know you and Cody find easy so that you end on a relaxed, happy note. Well done you will get there.

[ladyndibs]

He had a bit of an off day and you coped, I would call that a damn good result.

It was windy, if you've got a high alert horse it can be like putting them on speed when it's windy, he wasn't too impressed before he went in the school then there's a stranger and he has to stand to be fiddled about with then abracadabra as if by magic his world is being invaded my geese.

Whatever you do don't think or feel that you 'should' canter gallop trot jump or even ride for that matter if you're not really comfortable about it, at this stage without you even realising it your stress levels will go up and even though you are safe and happy your adrenalin will be going bonkers.

Finally DON'T give yourself a hard time, I expect it took a while for your confidence to be knocked in the first place, likewise it'll take a while to rebuild it. You wouldn't expect Cody to be fantastic with geese just because he's seen them in the school, so why should you be super confident after a few calm rides, give it time.

Crossed with Hislordshipsmum

[kt with Hanni]

Thank you for your words of wisdom. I don't know what I'd do without this forum. When I feel disappointed you manage to pick me up. I tried not too but I did have a few tears when it happened but I think it was more shock as it took me by surprise completely. Normally he is very good in the school. Your right though, strange lady, different saddles on his back, geese and wind. Not a great combination. Well the rescue remedy didn't work unless his adrenaline just took over. I wish horses could be straight forward. I'm planning to completely cut back his chaff as people say even hifi lite can make them fizzy? I've bought the naff balancer so will give him that and a small scoop of hifi lite so I can mix his calma which he doesn't really like.

Tomorrow is another day.....fingers crossed. Thank you so much x

[ladyndibs]

And for tomorrow put your calm head on and remember to breathe out, purse your lips slightly and gently blow out and when you think you've blown all the air out blow again, just breathe normally when you breathe in, don't take a big deep breathe and then try again gently breathing out, it might not help but at least it'll give you 20 seconds of giggling at the daft old bat on the DG that suggested such a stoopid thing and take your mind off Cody, though I do find it works, try it this evening a couple of times and see if it helps but don't tell me if it doesn't as I've managed to convince myself it does

[portiabuzz]

sending calming vibes your way xxx

[brynsleigh]

Our new one was definatley on edge yesterday and looked at the headcollar as though he had never seen one before then he ran off and didnt want to be caught.There was something in the air plus you had geese to contend with. I am the same and do worry if things go wrong and feel out of my depth sometimes.Said gelding is very calm today and easy to catch. I find a great difference in riding a horse with a low calm headcarriage which is great against a high alert head carriage . Sometimes if Im riding on my own or leading instead of going in a straight line i will weave a bit to the right or left so the horse knows who is controlling his feet. Maybe try some fast fibre instead of chaff .

[brynsleigh]

Hope you had a good lesson, a few more thoughts are has he been checked for sore spots? I was watching a you tube video of a MCtimoney chiropractor and the horse was very alert but as she treated his sore neck he looked so calm and relaxed. I have just been reading a leaflet from Equifeast and some of the results they are getting seem very encouraging,also googled equifeast and there was a good post on this board that came up from people who had great results and it really helped their horse to calm down.

[portiabuzz]

hows it going with Cody? x

[kt with Hanni]

Hi, good thanks. We had the most amazing lessons the next day- pics on another thread! I've been cantering on hacks so at the moment I'm thrilled. He did trip on a hack the other day and ended up on his knees and scared himself ( did a bum shuffle forwards once up) we were only walking luckily on soft mud so no harm done. Thanks for asking.

[portiabuzz]

seen it on other thread really pleased for you xx

[portiabuzz]

hows it going with the lovely Cody

[crazycolt]

Try Halleys Feeds if you want to avoid the sugars and additives! I use their unmolassed, well un-everything Timothy Hay chaff, and Timothy Hay Brix. They do others as well, for poor and good doers. Free delivery, and very fast and efficient. x