Tuesday, September 18th, 2007...5:48 pm
Horse training problems / problem horses - a beautiful solution
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Anybody reading the question, feel free to explore the issue as well and contribute.
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3 Comments
December 4th, 2007 at 1:35 am
Here’s an e-mail from a reader who had been solving catching, saddling and mounting probelms brilliantly and the horse has gone backwards - and my coaching reply. This might help someone else in the same “boat”.
“Parker is doing really well. Have taken him on some long rides and he hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s starting to lose weight too.
He is appreciating me more too. He walks to me in the paddock which is nice. I went for a ride once and the next day he didn’t want to know me but after a few days came around - he is a sensitive wee thing.
Like when I put the saddle on and lead him off he gets a fright like he has just realised he has a saddle on. Cheryl suggested I tap the saddle and move it a bit so he realises it is on his back before we walk off. So will try that. He is obviously still not totally comfortable with the saddle so still working on that.
My reply:
Great to hear from you!
Re saddle thing - his fright response would suggest that he has “shut down” about the saddle rather than put it absolutely in his comfort zone, so that when he walks off, he “wakes up” and shows the fright.
See if you can pick the point at which he stops blinking and stops thinking and shuts down. He’ll probably look a little “starey”.
If you’re having trouble picking it, ask Jo if she can help cos she got EXACTLY the look I’m thinking of with Jygs and about his saddle too.
Also, when you deliberately “tune in”, maybe with the meditation if you need to, you’ll probably feel the fluttering of his fear. If you back off at that point to wherever you have to to get the flutter of anxiety to go away, even all the way to taking the saddle off and walking away for a few minutes, he’ll find his deep comfort zone with the saddle.
Parker’s such a gentle little soul that he’s shutting down rather than telling you that he’s not comfortable/happy enough yet. What a dear little thing!
January 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Just an update for you on Parker. I think I have finally got him comfortable with the saddle now. I believe he had been shutting down once it was on and after leading him off he got a fright because he realised something was on his back. Will now I let him know the saddle is on and move it a bit and also give him a carrot to let him know he’s a good man. This really works and he no longer has an issue - I am wrapped!
January 9th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Way to go Deb!!! Good stuff. I can only imagine what a big deal this is to Parker to have truly found comfort with the saddle. There is no doubt in my mind that this has improved his life and made you safer. I bet he’s enjoying the riding more now too. It would have been pretty difficult for him to enjoy you riding in something that he was so afraid of. Well done. Jenny
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