greyhorses
Grand Prix Poster
My two grey boys
Posts: 1,204
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Post by greyhorses on Dec 28, 2006 17:16:49 GMT 1
Blue is getting worse with traffic and I'm not sure what to do. I went for a ride today and he was a nightmare. Every car that came towards us, he took a jump to the left. Sometimes I think it's me as I rode to my house last week and two buses went past and he was good as gold as I was relaxed. However I saw 2 cars coming towards us down a country lane so I pulled him into a nearby field and as they got closer his legs went everywhere while I sat perfectly still.
I'm not sure what to do - Can an RA help or do they just work with behavioural issues? Shall I send him to a riding school where he'll be hacked every day? I am sure I can specify that staff only ride him.
I'm at a livery yard where there isn't the opportunity to ride with a quiet horse or ask somebody more experienced to help. We have to go on the roads to go on any hack.
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greyhorses
Grand Prix Poster
My two grey boys
Posts: 1,204
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Post by greyhorses on Dec 28, 2006 21:03:29 GMT 1
up-ity
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blueali
Olympic Poster
water horse vs. land horse
Posts: 822
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Post by blueali on Dec 28, 2006 21:14:18 GMT 1
Ah a fellow Blue owner I must reply!
I'm sorry but it is probably you. It would be interesting to know how he is with another rider who is confident on the roads. Equally it would be worth you going for a ride on another horse that is confident in traffic and see if you feel diferently. An RA may be able to help, they could at least help you to learn to trust your Blue more and so boost your confidence. They may also walk out with you and address the actual issue.
You could send him away but if he is not too bad it would be less upheaval to find someone to come and ride him.
Meanwhile, how is he if you take him out in hand? And could you get someone to drive around you not on the roads, maybe on the driveway or yard car park. Praise him loads for standing or walking quietly and use diversion tactics if he's fidgety ie. schooling exercises.
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greyhorses
Grand Prix Poster
My two grey boys
Posts: 1,204
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Post by greyhorses on Dec 28, 2006 21:27:50 GMT 1
Hi Ali
I guessed it was me as a couple of years ago I went on holiday and my friend rode him on a busy road and he was fine. He is also good with traffic from behind (when I cant see it) but it's oncoming traffic that scares him and that's because I'm sitting there going 'Oh my god it's getting closer, what's he going to do this time'. My instructor is due to call me back about my next lesson so I'll ask him if he has any suggestions.
Blue's still a wimp in hand - some of his fear is real. That's why I tend to ride as I stand better chance of staying with him if he choses to run off. I suppose I need to get him to trust me, in that I wont put him in any sort of danger.
He's fine in the car park of the yard as we're both at home and relaxed. It's more down the country lanes where he tends to spin round and go to run off. Perhaps I'll get my parents to have a go at driving at me, stopping and giving Blue a treat from the car - that way he gets to like cars approaching as they could end in a treat.
Sorry to ask a stupid question but how do I find my nearest RA?
Thanks
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Post by Gem & Spencer on Dec 28, 2006 21:44:07 GMT 1
If you go to the homepage and from the menu on the left click on horse help, the list of RA's is there.
have you tried long reining? I have used this quite successfully to boost Spencer's confidence when hacking alone somewhere new or past something he is scared of. That said though he is much more confident when I am on the ground than on top, but then so am I so it would follow I suppose!
Have you got anyone that could walk with you on hacks? Maybe your instructor? My sister often comes with me on foot (or she rides and I walk) which has improved Spencer's confidence greatly!
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blueali
Olympic Poster
water horse vs. land horse
Posts: 822
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Post by blueali on Dec 28, 2006 21:48:40 GMT 1
I think that's a really good idea. You can find RA's on the intelligenthorsemanship main bit under horse help. And I think you are wise to stay on top if that is were you have more control. Once he's good on the driveway you could do the same just outside on the road, hopefully quiet enough for the car to stop and dispense treats.
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mobismum
Advanced Poster
My gorgeous boy!!
Posts: 323
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Post by mobismum on Dec 28, 2006 21:53:38 GMT 1
Hi Nina and Blue I had the same problem with my horse where every time a vehicle was coming towards us he would spin to the left and take off!! It got to the point where I was going to give u taking him out at all..IT helped me loads going out with another horse who was as good as gold on the roads and acted as a safety blanket between us and the traffic...I had to do this alot tho but you say you unable to do this regularly. We never used to be able to go at the front on a hack out either but can now confidently do this although he does sometimes still look at white vans and lorries but I give him a kick on and plenty of praise and although he looks, will happily carry on without the sidestepping any more. It took quite a long time to do this but Im glad I did but I have to ensure we have plenty of hacks out to keep him confident otherwise Im back to square one.. I hope you get some help with your horse and can then look forward to long summery hacks out next year.... x
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greyhorses
Grand Prix Poster
My two grey boys
Posts: 1,204
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Post by greyhorses on Dec 28, 2006 21:59:05 GMT 1
Thanks, I did a bit of searching and found out how to contact an RA.
I could try long-reining but I dont think the surroundings are ideal for this. I may get my instructor to take him out or come out with me and see what he thinks of both Blue's behaviour and any suggestions for improving it.
I haven't anybody to walk out with - my family and boyfriend are non horsey and I'd worry about them getting hurt if they're in the way when Blue spins round. I might have a go at walking him round the lanes.
He was worse than usual today as I didn't ride much last week (damn freezing fog) so he was a bit hyper. He's also got no field companions (long story!) but has friends in the adjoining fields. I dont think he gets to release as much energy in the field as he should.
I'm going to ride again tomorrow and sing or talk to him when the cars come towards us as he's better when I'm chilled. I'll also take him to my parents place and ride him round the roads there as they're nice and wide. Blue gets stressed as the lanes around us are wide enough for a car and a horse and that's what most drivers insist on, despite the passing points.
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