Unresponsive when working, also has seperation anxiety

[lo]

Hi all!

I'm a newbie to the forum, I'm sorry if this post is waaaaay long!

I've just taken on a mare as a part share. Zoop is a 14 y/o dutch warmblood, and lives out 24/7 in the summer with her ISH lady friend, who I think is the dominant one, and also the one who is responsible for separation anxiety in my mare.

the first few times I rode her in the school was with her buddy, and I noticed she was incredibly unreponsive to my aids, would slow down or even stop, and no voice/leg/crop can get her to move unless on her own terms - usually towards her paddock friend.

I tried lungeing her, she was slow and uncommitted in walk, dragged her feet in trot, and no aid could get her into canter at all.

We've worked out how to work them at the same time, without them being in the school together, and I've tried going back to basics, leading her out on a short walk before taking her into the school, using voice and continuous reinforcement to go forward, which she is responding well to. When I signal to halt, she sometimes does, other times she walks around in front of me - in which case I walk her in a small circle or back her up, then signal walk on.

After that I have been taking her into the school, and doing the same under saddle in walk at the top end of the school, further away from the barn where her buddy is stabled until we're done and take both back to their paddock.

Her owner uses ruber spurs on her, as she isn't forward going, but I'd like to try and get her in a place where she's happy to work, and understands that the hour or so of riding can be fun (her paces are to die for when she does decide to get going, and I'd love to do more dressage with her).


I'm thinking she just doesn't have very much respect for me. I'd like to do join-up, but am worried she just won't be interested and will stand at the bard-end of the school (I don't have a round pen here).

So my question is, is it possible to do join up without a round pen? Is it worth trying now, or should I be doing more lead/halt transitions? Are there any other exercises I can be doing on and off the ground?

Sorry for the NOVEL!

x

[holi]

Back to basics needed. Get her to learn to respond to pressure/pressure release with lots and lots of praise. Pressure is not a smack!! Its using body language, wave a plastic bag - anything! The dually is excellent for doing this. Mine was in an RDA centre and had shut down - have walked miles in hand teaching him that when I say go I want an immediate response but then instantly pressure off and lots of reward. Dont forget you might not like the first response you get ie. it might be a bit OTT but dont back off until they respond as you wish then masses of praise and rest breaks. Took a few weeks but we are starting to improve. If you cant find a way to do join up you can improvise and have them on a long lunge line - its about instant active response which stays until you change it i.e if you say walk they walk without constant nagging until you tell them to do something else. Start with small steps and increase. I've also found my boy has ulcers which didn't help as his mind was definitely elsewhere!!

[holi]

And I always think of what Monty said when someone praised him for his patience dealing with these type of horses. He said we have the patience putting up with it as he wouldnt lol

[HeatherL*]

Spend some time just building up a bond with her. Walk her out in hand, find a lovely grazing spot and let her have a leisurely munch. Work your way through Kelly's Perfect Manners book and do regular groundwork with her. In short spend some time building up your role as her leader, a leader that gives her confidence and does nice things with her I.e. walking her out for a graze. When you're out hacking alone, if she gets anxious then get off and walk with her, she'll take comfort from your presence next to her. When She's away from her field mate She's feeling anxious, but if she has confidence in you and enjoys your company things will be easier for both of you. Take it slow, make all the time she has away from her field mate calm and pleasurable for her and she'll start to feel more confident. Little and often can be better at building up trust than setting yourself up for stressful situations so be pleased with even short sessions. Best of luck, put the time in and I'm sure you'll end up with a lovely bond.

[lo]

Hi both, thanks so much for your advice! A little further on in our relationship, and she is showing some signs of recognising me and wanting to be around me which is good. Has also already learned to lead better, and we've been hacking with company other than her field buddy to build up strength (she's a little under weight) and also confidence in me rather than her constantly looking to her friend for comfort.

holi I know exactly how that feels, I think Zoop has sort of given up, her expression and stance when stood still are those of pained endurance. She's becoming a little more alive to the world on the ground and out on hacks, but still hates the school and won't move forward in it without a lot of work. I think she's school sour tbh so am keeping those sessions short, and giving her lots of hacks in between, which she loves.
Ulcers have been mentioned as a possible problem so she's on special feed to see if she improves, and the weight is an issue which I'm trying to fix. Hopefully with a little more energy and more time together things will improve, it's good to hear it's working with your boy!

@heatherl* yes I've heard so many good things about Perfect Manners, must order one next payday!!

Thank you both for taking the time to respond xx