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At 07:41:38 on 12.10.11, shaybee wrote:
My horse Rocky is 5 years old and i have got him 2 weeks ago, But the problem is since its spring in New Zealand its forever raining. Today while riding Rocky kept skidding the puddles and trotting sideways. even walking or cantering. I tried to walk him through them when i got off nothing, even with a horse riding infront or beside,. i went and took off the bridle and put his halter and lead rope and tried to walk through the puddles. I was calm but then afterwards i tried using an agressive tone too. this cant go on. thanks. |
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At 19:39:17 on 12.10.11, roxyrides wrote:
My horse was the same way until I got him accustomed to riding thru them. If you're riding with others, the best way to do it is through coaxing, and letting horses go in front of him. Since horses are herd animals, he will naturally go forward, even if he doesn't want to, because he will want to stay with the group, and he will see there is no harm in crossing. If you are alone I would be careful, as sometimes they are prone to rearing if you try this technique. I start by gently urging my horse forward, when he balks I talk softly and urge him forward with my seat and my heels. If he tries dancing to the side, I turn him in a circle, line him up again and keep urging. A crop is also handy. Once he crosses I give him a good pat on the neck and he knows hes a good boy. If you have time to work with him when he's not under saddle I would start getting him accustomed to water on a lead rope, and reward him when he walks through it. Repetition is the important thing, just like any training method, the more he does it, the better he will be when faced with the situation again. My horse is very wary in many situations, like water, once he crosses the hurdle, I have him do it 2-3 more times, until he is no longer phased by crossing. |
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At 14:34:57 on 17.10.11, Flicka wrote:
My mare hated putting a foot in a puddle when I got her. To a horse a puddle can be pretty scary so your horse isn't unusual. In the same way we wouldn't want them to put their foot into a deep hole so the same instincts kick into action here. Basically we need to gain their trust. I wouldn't make it a big issue or make a fuss. Having another horse with you that goes through them helps but doesn't always work. My method is to calmly present the horse at the puddle, avoid looking down into it yourself and ask for your horse to go nearer, just one step at a time. If he makes the slightest move forward in the right direction, release the pressure to reward him and make a fuss. Just take it step by step and keep them facing the puddle, don't let them turn away from it, keep the horse and yourself focused on where you want to go and control the feet. On this I am really strict but I do reward every little try. Anyway it worked with my mare and now she's really confident with puddles and streams. |
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At 21:20:35 on 17.10.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Grenville avoids puddles at all costs i didnt see one once when we were cantering and he cat lept over it and nearly sent me flying, but he doesn't like anything that stands out like white lines on a road, a piece of paper or some oil on the floor making it a slight change in colour :\ the biggest help i find is to practice on the yard, start off small and work your way up, also getting a lead through them helps, he is still a gay about them and tries to avoid them but when i say go through it he does now (even if he hates every minute of it) and we can do it on our own, it is all about patience, a puddle to us is a bottomless sink pool to them because they can't see solid ground, really it is just a test of trust |
