voni
Novice Poster
Posts: 1
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Post by voni on Sept 15, 2015 19:21:10 GMT 1
Does anyone have any advice for a pony who will load, and happily travel in company, but when on his own will get very stressed. He is only 5 and supposedly was travelled on his own with previous owners, but had the winter off. He doesn't like being in the stable on his own but will happily stay in the field on his own. I am desperate for help as I really need to get him out and about, but when I travel him with a friend, he then constantly shouts for the friend whilst out (as he did at a small show I took him to on sunday). I have had a bad experience travelling (with a horse going over the breast bar in a trailer) so am now very nervous. I now have a small (sideways facing) lorry. All advice very gratefully received. I am happy to get someone out if I know they will be able to help us.
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Post by VeronicaF on Sept 21, 2015 11:03:20 GMT 1
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Post by alonerawnut on Sept 21, 2015 13:19:57 GMT 1
An RA will definitely be able to give you some good, practical advice. It's the kind of issue that benefits from breaking it down into tiny steps: travelling or being in the stable. Take him in, maybe give him a bit of a feed and then bring him out again. Gradually build up little by little and don't let him get to the point where he's really worried.
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Post by VeronicaF on Sept 21, 2015 20:59:34 GMT 1
great advice above alonerawnut
but they can feed off our worries and when we have worries or feel nervouse they don't feel we are very good leaders and if they are not very confident in themselfs we are the last people they want to be around. so it all goes hand in hand if that makes sense?
its not the same as my story is a dog not a horse but my cassie was feeding off my worries
my son and his girlfriend had a dog, they were living with us at the time my sons girlfriend came back from somwhere and their dog rushed out of their car and ran into the road an got knocked over.
I saw it all,so when I got my puppy cassie, I was to scared of letting her off the lead, I was scared she run off and get killed. I lost confidence,and cassie was feeding off my worries I needed help, so I got a dog trainer who helped me over come my horrible flash backs and show me that the same wasn't going to happen to cassie.
I also got to train my puppy to a high standard in call back and everything
sounds like your horse also has some separation anxiety issues as well as traveling issues. but your horse being young and you feeling like you do, it might be why your horse feel that way, looking for another horse to give them confidence.
I have been on some of the IH courses and Recommended Associates are I know highly trained they really are,they will help your horse and help you to over come your flash backs too.so you can both move forwards and have fun traveling together everywhere and anywhere hope this helps
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Post by mags on Sept 24, 2015 8:41:22 GMT 1
As above, I'd break things down and work on each bit separately, staying in the horse's comfort zone. It sounds to me like you have several things that add to the anxiety: being away from other horses (whether at home alone in the stable, or at the show); travelling as such; new surroundings (show). Each one of these will probably add to your horse's anxiety levels, and he can cope with only so much. He can still cope with travelling, but not travelling and leaving other horses behind/being alone, plus new surroundings all at one. I'd probably start by working on getting him to be more confident by himself in his usual surroundings (at home). How comfortable is he being brought into the yard for a groom/feed alone (but not left in the stable by himself)? How happy is he hacking out alone from home? Once he is very relaxed about being by himself on the yard at home, you could start practising loading, and make loading and being on the box a nice experience. Having some food waiting in the box for him might be an incentive. If you repeat loading practise until going on, staying on and getting off is not a big deal anymore you will be half-way there. An RA could definitely help you make sure that you are successful with the loading practise - if it doesn't go smoothly you'll only teach him that loading is something to worry about. It might also help your own nerves to get into a routine.
Maybe you could also continue to get him used to new venues by taking him out with a friend, but try and keep his anxiety levels low by staying together with his friend, and not separating the two (e.g. going for a hack/fun ride together). Hopefully in time, you'll be able to put all the pieces back together and get him out alone without him getting too upset.
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Post by portiabuzz on Sept 24, 2015 12:52:53 GMT 1
Best of luck, totally agree with the above. Great advice x
Sent from my SM-G800F using proboards
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