Catching and Spooking
I haven't posted in quite a while. I've been very busy moving across the country (Nashville, TN to Denver, CO)! I have a couple of questions regarding two problem horses I've encountered. Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
I am working with a two year old Paint gelding that doesn't like to be caught. Only once have I been able to put a halter on him and even then, he's very reluctant to move forward. When I get after him to get him to move forward (swing lead rope out and let it smack him in the butt) he either moves sideways or starts backing up. He is a little head shy, as well.
I've used treats and grain to help aide my plight, but there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The horse comes up to me with no problems. I'll pet him for several minutes and scratch his neck and even brush him, but as soon as I go to put the halter on he'll slowly back up or take a step sideways. I've tried putting the lead rope around his neck to prevent the back up or sideways motion, but he starts to panic.
He HAS had a halter on many, many times. His owner has him turned out in a medium sized paddock without a halter on (because he sticks his head through the fence and will get it caught). I know the owner needs to put him in a smaller paddock or stall and leave his halter on... but I was wondering if there were any other alternatives before asking her to do this? I know she's hesitant because he does stick his head through the fence (or anywhere else that it may get stuck - he's a little accident prone).
Also, how can I get him to lead without freaking him out more. Using a butt rope? Employing a helper to walk behind him? I usually don't have anyone else with me to help out with such things, so that might be difficult.
I'm also working with an Arab/Rocky Mountain Horse five year old mare that is very nervous. She'll stand to be saddled, lunges well in the round pen and will stand to be mounted. However, as soon as you ask her to move forward she begins to spook or shake. Last week she spooked badly and I started to dismount (was almost there, too!) and she ran into me, causing me to twist my knee. My knee is okay, but obviously, I'd like to prevent future episodes of craziness.
I honestly can't see anything that she's could be spooking about. She's used to her surroundings. She was "started under saddle" by a cowboy two years ago that was a little rough. However, her owners have ridden her since then without any spooking problems. Granted, they haven't worked her in about a year.
Suggestions? I'm going to introduce her to new stimuli to help stave off the random spooking. It's fairly windy at the barn (it's on the Front Range (beginning of the prairie)), but she's used to it. She's not spooking on the ground and I don't know how to get her to quit once someone is on her without putting myself or someone else in danger.
Thanks for any advice!
I am working with a two year old Paint gelding that doesn't like to be caught. Only once have I been able to put a halter on him and even then, he's very reluctant to move forward. When I get after him to get him to move forward (swing lead rope out and let it smack him in the butt) he either moves sideways or starts backing up. He is a little head shy, as well.
I've used treats and grain to help aide my plight, but there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The horse comes up to me with no problems. I'll pet him for several minutes and scratch his neck and even brush him, but as soon as I go to put the halter on he'll slowly back up or take a step sideways. I've tried putting the lead rope around his neck to prevent the back up or sideways motion, but he starts to panic.
He HAS had a halter on many, many times. His owner has him turned out in a medium sized paddock without a halter on (because he sticks his head through the fence and will get it caught). I know the owner needs to put him in a smaller paddock or stall and leave his halter on... but I was wondering if there were any other alternatives before asking her to do this? I know she's hesitant because he does stick his head through the fence (or anywhere else that it may get stuck - he's a little accident prone).
Also, how can I get him to lead without freaking him out more. Using a butt rope? Employing a helper to walk behind him? I usually don't have anyone else with me to help out with such things, so that might be difficult.
I'm also working with an Arab/Rocky Mountain Horse five year old mare that is very nervous. She'll stand to be saddled, lunges well in the round pen and will stand to be mounted. However, as soon as you ask her to move forward she begins to spook or shake. Last week she spooked badly and I started to dismount (was almost there, too!) and she ran into me, causing me to twist my knee. My knee is okay, but obviously, I'd like to prevent future episodes of craziness.
I honestly can't see anything that she's could be spooking about. She's used to her surroundings. She was "started under saddle" by a cowboy two years ago that was a little rough. However, her owners have ridden her since then without any spooking problems. Granted, they haven't worked her in about a year.
Suggestions? I'm going to introduce her to new stimuli to help stave off the random spooking. It's fairly windy at the barn (it's on the Front Range (beginning of the prairie)), but she's used to it. She's not spooking on the ground and I don't know how to get her to quit once someone is on her without putting myself or someone else in danger.
Thanks for any advice!