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GeeGees BEHAVIOURQuestions, Announcements, News, Views & CommentsEQUINE BEHAVIOUR FORUM. If you are interested in equine behaviour you should join The Equine Behaviour Forum. A voluntary, non-profit group, the EBF was established in 1978 and is international. It appeals to all equine enthusiasts interested in behaviour, professional and amateur. Visit our website at www.gla.ac.uk/External/EBF/ Messy Beds Posted 13 Feb 2003 A friend and I both have the same problem - extremely messy, dirty, wet horses in the stable. My friends horse is a mare and mine a gelding so it's not gender related. Various bedding alternatives have been tried, reducing the amount of water available overnight also failed - we are at a loss but would be really, really interested if anyone has any suggestions or knows what makes a messy horse a messy horse! My other horse is very clean and both of mine and my friends seem relaxed and happy in the stable. Any feedback appreciated! thanks Sam and Gayle. Contact http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm. Unsociable Behaviour posted 6 Jan 2003 Can anyone help my 15yr old daughter. About 4 months ago we bought a 7yr old 16hh IDxTB mare. We knew she needed more schooling, which was fine and she seemed friendly enough. She is great in the stable and and good to shoe, hack etc. The problem is when she is in the field. When we first got her she was put in one of the fields at the front of the yard where we could keep an eye on her. She ran round like we expected and the other horses were trying to say hello but she seemed to want to keep herself to herself. She then started grazing. Fine we thought she will soon settle down. She was then, over the next week, put in the back field with two other mares. When we turned up at the yard after school one day we were told that she had jumped the electric fencing and had tried to get to the other horses. We thought that it would be an isolated incident, but once she realised she could jump the electric fence or get through into the front field it became a habit, now and again we were told that she had got in with the other horses. We at first thought that she just wanted to be with them, but then we were being told that she had bitten another pony. Then when she was put out with another horse, it then had hoof marks from being kicked. She was then put into isolation because no-one else on the yard really wanted their horse being hurt. Which is understandable! She now goes out every other day, on her own with no other horse in any other field. She whinnies and gallops about to check she's on her own. If she is she settles down, but soon gets bored after half an hour and stands by the gate, then plays up is she isn't brought in. She seems to like being in her stable! The problem is really bad as we discovered over Xmas when a couple of horses were out the the bottom field that we couldn't see and shouldn't have been there. Well, she soon discovered they were there and went crazy, galloping round (it was really muddy and we were worried she'd slip and hurt herself) she was whinnying and galloping up and down the electric fencing, trying to get to them!!!!!! We managed to get her in. Then another time a horse went into the sand paddock and she could see her and again she went crazy!!! My daughter doesn't really want to sell her but it is affecting the whole yard. We think that she has in the past been on her own and maybe hasn't been socialised properly. We desperately would love to over come this problem as at the beginning she would be alright for a few days and then have an episode, but since being separated completely she seems worse, but when she does go with the other horses she sometimes hurts them. Is she too dominant or just frightened? It's a tough one, but can anyone please help. Yours desperately. fbevan@msn.com Strong Horse I have a heavy weight section D x he is only 5 rising 6 and to put it bluntly he's a tank, every where he goes it has to make a big entrance! out hacking he's strong but I can manage? sort of? my big problem is at shows, where he is a complete pig, he spends the entire day pulling my arms out of the sockets. he doesn't toss his head. or put his head down but just pulls constantly. I have him in a Pelham (straight bar) no martingale and usually double reins. anyone had a similar problem, any advice or bit suggestions? reply to vickykerry@aol.com PLEEEEZ! Bonding Send replies to http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm My 13.2, 16 year old New Forest gelding means the world to me. I want him to trust me as much as I love him but no matter how much I try he still doesn't seem to want to bond with me. I've tried TTEAM work and enlisted the help of a physiotherapist to help relax him- I want to try join-up but I don't want to do it wrong and ruin our relationship- please help!!! Jo I'd just like to say that I found the Parelli Natural Horsemanship course really helpful. Helga Rearing Pony Send replies to http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm I have a problem My 13.1 pony keeps rearing, not so much in the sand school but every time I take him out for a hack. But he only dose it on Epsom downs. My pony is now18 but he loves to gallop over the downs! I only have him in a French link shall I change it to a gag or a stronger bit???? PLEASE HELP ME because I'm scared of him going over on top of me as my Arab did. Rhea A standing martingale will stop the rearing but if you put a stronger bit in your horse will get stronger. I have a 16hh IDXTB she is so strong she snapped a pelham in half and the only way I have been able to control her and stop her pulling is by not pulling not riding with fizzy horses not riding on grass unless she is in a sensible mood. I have also been having lessons with a qualified AI riding instructor which has helped greatly. We have a 25yr old at our yard and where she behaved like yours does and mine did she is crippled with arthritis in her front knees this is what made me decide to have lessons to calm her down. I highly recommend these but get someone recommended. A lot of what your horse does is because he can get away with it he needs lots of brain work to keep him thinking and when he does play up he needs it even more to distract him. Id certainly not ride him where he tanks off as he has got used to doing this at least not until he respects his rider. Hope I've been some help my email address is joncx9@aol.com. Maria Another way that can stop a rearing pony, its not guaranteed, but carry an egg while you are riding and if he rears crack it on his head. the insides will run down his head and the horse will think he has hurt himself and therefore not try it again. Rosie Have you considered changing your pattern? horse will associate going for a gallop with a certain location and struggle against you. Rearing is a form of evasion so think what he / she is trying to evade - a stronger bit might make this worse. Also basic discipline can improve a horses behaviour - be firm and positive. While riding a horse which rears do not be tempted to lean forward. Try circles getting smaller until you have gained control then ride confidently forward. another tip ride out with a quiet horse who will act as a steadying factor for your animal. They love company and tend to behave better and the good thing about this is you will establish a better behaviour pattern. Basic school work involving short disciplined flat movements will promote a more obedient animal. Also try not galloping in the same spot. Take him by surprise. Anticipation is the greatest cause of rearing!!! Ruth Strong Youngster Send replies to http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm I am writing to ask advice on a strong pony that I have. She is 18 years old,14.4hh and a thoroughbred. She is ridden in a Dutch gag at the moment. The problem is that on hacks she gets so very strong. If we canter, it ends up in a gallop which ends up in me not being able to stop. I have tried absolutely everything from thinking slow, to sitting up ,keeping heels down and turning circles but it just doesn't work so I would like to change her bit to either a Pelham or a kimblewick. If anyone uses these bits could you please, please give me advice on what they are like, if they work, if you recommend them or any other information. It would all be very much appreciated. I really want to get this sorted out as soon as possible. Please could anyone give me as much info as possible. From Victoria Its a good idea to change your bit as they can get used to what you've got in their mouth and can work out how to evade them. My horse was in a mullen mouth pelham but my riding instructor has got me to change it to a jointed pelham as the mullen mouth ones tend to make them lean on you even more. I can tell you that this will take months possibly years to change as my horse is 14 and this is all she knows how to behave when ridden. Don't ride when stressed keep everything relaxed but your hands firm on your reins. There are so many reasons why horses do this I don't know yours as I haven't seen your horse but mine is because this is all she knows and what I am being taught works. Have you considered riding lessons by a qualified AI as they have worked for me. I can tell you if you canter before it turns into a gallop go back to trot you must know your horse well enough to know when he's going to get faster or just don't even canter. You need to go back to basics before really cantering. My email is joncx9@aol.com Hope I've been some help Maria Stop ! The previous person who replied has suggested a stronger bit. I would suggest that this is the last thing that you need. The advice I do agree with is seeking qualified help,this will help you and your horse and keep you safer ! A stronger bit will only help you to inflict discomfort or even pain on a horse that is not listening to you or does not know what you want from him/her. Application of the correct aids with a foundation of regular schooling within a controlled environment (menage/school) will bring about positive change, not hanging on a horses mouth with strong bits !! Martin I used 2 ride my Horse in a Pelham and I would like 2 say that pelhams are good bits but the best way 2 use one is with 2 reins. I have recently switched my Horse 2 a kimblewick though because he kept running off with me but now I have switched bits he has stopped trying 2 run away with me I think now that my Horse just didn't like the pelham so you should switch bits until you find one your Horse is comfortable in. Try a pelham and a kimble wick though cus the curb chain gives you extra control. Gina
Lively Youngster Send replies to http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm I HAVE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 15'2 7 YEAR OLD BELGIUM WARMBLOOD, HE WAS NOT RIDDEN VERY OFTEN WHEN I BOUGHT HIM AND DOES SWEAT UP QUITE QUICKLY ALTHOUGH HE NEVER SEEMS TO TIRE. I HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH HIM PACING IN THE PADDOCK, HE HAS A FANTASTIC (EXTREMELY) BOUNCY WALK AND TROT, AND CAN HALF CANTER, HALF PACE (TROT ON THE BACK LEGS) WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SIT TO. THE MORE I HAVE BEEN WORKING HIM HE SEEMS TO BE GETTING A LITTLE BETTER, ALTHOUGH HE ALSO SEEMS TO BE GETTING STRONGER AND RACING AROUND THE PADDOCK WITH ME, HE ALSO GOES FROM WORKING IN A PERFECT OUTLINE TO POKING HIS HEAD UP IN THE AIR. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE OF SLOWING HIM DOWN AND TEACHING HIM TO CANTER, AS I DON'T HAVE MANY PEOPLE WITH KNOWLEDGE TO ASK. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL. Gayle
Lost confidence Send replies to Jo.Bull@btinternet.com
Throughout the summer my pony was a very
good little jumper, but this winter our fields have been extremely
boggy and we have been unable to ride in them. Therefore my 13.2, New
Forest, 16 year old gelding has lost all his confidence in jumping- at
pony club rallys he will jump up to 2'3" in a narrow spread with
lots of encouragement and all the fun seems to have gone out of his
game. Normally he prances about, shows off and just thinks
everything's a big laugh. Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
Attached horse Send replies to Julielwynne@hotmail.com
Is there any way you can un-attatch a horse from another horse. I have 2 horses and one is having to be sold. I don't want it to hurt the horse which is staying too much.
Barging
out
Can anyone help me please? I have a 15.2 hh 5year old cob mare who will not stay in a stable. She is on grass livery at the moment and I have tried bringing her in and feeding her in a stable to try and get her used to it. She has broken down the door twice and got out. It doesn't seem to upset her and she is happy to wander back up the field so I don't think she is frightened. I used to ride her when she was at a hunting yard and they said she was the same there and used to jump out over the stable door!! Everyone is giving me different advise from tying her up in the stable to using a top door or grill. The door she broke down had a grill but she just ran at the door until it literally broke into pieces. Its really getting to me as I want to bring her in for the winter. Can anyone help?? Aisling.Harding@irlam.aninks.com
One thing I always do, and have the kids do, is dismount their horses fairly far from the barn and lead them in. You might even try making her back into the barn every time. I also would try and withhold feeding her in the barn for awhile. Rig up a bucket out in the pasture and then maybe she will quit expecting that going into the barn means she is going to eat. You might even take her out of the barn if she is already in to feed her. You will most likely have to spend a good deal of time with her on this problem. Also when leading her in forwards, I would stop her every few steps and let her relax before letting her move on. Good Luck! Rob
Barging
in
Please can you help me because I have just bought an Arab and it has a horrible habit of barging into the stable. Everyone at the yard has tried to help but nothing is working. I am afraid of getting hurt or my horse getting hurt please help. reply Alan@Emmersa.Supernet.com
I recently sent you an email at the beginning of the month, on my horse barging in and out of the stable. I have not yet had a reply. The habit has not got any better, if anything worse. we have been using pressure halters and you name it we've tried it but nothing works. I am starting to loose my confidence. Please get back to me and try to suggest something. My email address is Alan@Emmersa.Supernet.com GeeGees
replies... Barging into the stable (rather than out of it) is more than
likely caused by fear (rather than bad manners). Many horses that
have been insensitively handled have been hurt by catching their hips on
doors, etc, leading to them fearing going through stable doorways.
We suggest that begin a sympathetic program to restore your Arab's trust
in you and stable doorways.
Bonding
Could you possibly help me with my favourite pony Tom? I ride and help out at my local stables weekly and I really want Tom to realize that I am not just a novice rider who clambers on and off his back. I sometimes feed him polos after a lesson but I really would like to bond more with him. Please email me Starfiisch@hotmail.com
Hi Starfiisch! I'm afraid that bonding does'nt necessarily mean Tom accepting 'Polos'! Feed is merely a 'secondary reinforcer'! To find out more try www.montyroberts.com Join-Up might be an idea, as long as the proprietor of your riding school allows!!! Good luck! Theo The
Right Horse?
I was wondering if you could give me a listing of the breeds that are good for hunter/ jumper classes.? I live in America so maybe you could tell me which breeds would be good that I wouldn't have to import myself. And I was also wondering if you could tell me if a Qtr./ T.B. 15/16 is a good choice??? Thank you. BAY1029@aol.com
Head
Shy
Hi I was wondering if you could give me some advice regarding my 15.3 Arab/cob mare. I have had her on loan for 6mths while the owner is away for a year on castaway 2000. When I first got her she was good as gold a bit difficult to catch and slightly head shy but okay. But, within the last 2mths I have not been able to put the bridle on has she keeps putting her head up and gets very nervous, it takes an hour to get the bridle on, also she has been extremely difficult to catch and when I ride her she bolts off and tries to buck me off resulting in myself falling off this week. I am an experienced rider and have been riding for 10 years and owned horses for 5 years, I really don't understand why she has suddenly turned into a nightmare. I have recently heard that she came from Beaston and that she has always been known to be headshy. thank you, Jody Keeble (17) isle of man. julie@keeblecoop.enterprise-plc.com
GeeGees
replies...
Field
Aggression
Can anyone offer any advice about horses chasing people. A horse at our yard will not let you catch her without first trying to run at you, ears flat back and showing her teeth. She plays this game for about twenty minutes then when we leave the field and ignore her we can go back and she lets us catch her. We have tried chasing her away, following her, ignoring her, fetching the other two horses in first or second, all to no avail. This action appears to be unpredictable as sometimes she just lets you catch her. Could it be hormonal, if so any suggestions would be gratefully accepted. She is a six year old mare kept with another mare and a gelding. She appears to be bottom of the hierarchy, the gelding being in charge, she is turned out all through summer. LorsRussel@aol.com
Sounds
like the mare is either a bit worried about loosing her alpha status. I
had a mare like this one I couldn't work out if she was being nasty or
was she scared and wanted me to know she was dominant or wanted to be .
I started catching her with a small bucket of pellets then it went to a
handful then it went to I would catch her and tie her up an give her a
1/4 of her feed while I cleaned her up. It made catching her a happy
occasion and it made her happy which made riding her happier time as
well. Mandy
Tripping
Horse
Hello,
Could anyone help me! I have a 12 year old welsh cob called Buck, one of
the nicest natured animals you could wish to own. About 2 years ago, he
kept tripping and on many occasions actually falling down. The crunch
came when last August while out hacking on the roads, which
unfortunately I have no choice, Buck slipped over and went down on both
knees. £1,000 later and a lot of hard work my vet pronounced him fit
for work. only to find him falling over again. I've now lost all my
confidence to ride him. The vet has done a thorough examination on he's
legs, only to come up with the fact that he thinks he's being shoed
incorrectly. I now have a new blacksmith who is charging £125 a set of
shoes, only to find he's gone over again. please can any one help. mlphipps35@hotmail.com
Your
farrier bills are very steep. I have a farrier who deals with champion
show-jumpers and get charged £40 at most per full set of shoes. Is the
tripping up at the beginning or near end of exercise? It may be a
muscular problem. my Arab gets it occasionally, especially if she is not
fully fit. has your vet taken blood samples as i believe this kind of
thing can sometimes be related to ill health in other parts of the body.
jacqui
Strong
Youngster
I have a 4 year old 14.1hh Clydesdale X pony which I am having trouble with. When I first got her 4 months ago she was out of condition and rather skinny, since then she has gained condition, and is now very muscled, and looks really well. But since she has got stronger, I feel that she is trying to take me for a ride; napping bolting and pulling I also have no steering with her when I take her show jumping. I have combated her various faults that she came with, rearing, barging, fear of running water, and she is now totally bombproof in traffic. I wondered if anyone had any advice for me on training my pony not to nap, as many people have told me to give up on her, but I feel that I have to give her a chance as she is only a youngster and is a pleasure to ride. She works properly on the bit and is very responsive to my leg aids but puts her head up in the air and naps towards other ponies. I have had her back and teeth checked by the vet and everything is sound. I ride her in a running martingale flash noseband (as she tends to put her tongue over the bit) and a French Link (which she is quite strong in) and have recently got her a Kimblewick which she seems to accept when we go cross-country. Clydesdales are a very strong breed and she is starting to be a danger to myself and other people with my lack of steering and brakes. I am only 15 and am hoping to go to a few more cross-country and show jumping competitions on my mare as she is a fantastic jumper (never refuses) but I feel I cannot trust her, if she is going to nap and pull. I don't want to give her up as she is the kindest most genuine pony ever and I am willing to school her and bring her on as much as I can but she is only on loan and I feel that I am doing all this work for someone else's benefit. So if any one has any advice on bringing on this strong little pony please contact the GeeGees website with the answer to my question thanks. pipkw@netscapeonline.co.uk
Join
the club, we have a 4 yr old ,14.2 Irish Vanner who is built like a
brick you know what. As I only weigh 8 1/2 st it is imperative that she
learns to respect me. Like yours she was very green when we got her 4
months ago so we fed her well but with low energy feed so that she
gained condition but did not get above herself. It is too easy to feed
them too much energy and like most young things they then look for ways
of expending the excess energy, usually misbehaving. To begin with we
fed ours on chop and sugar beet with good quality hay and grazing and
brought her on very slowly, a lot of ground work, lunging and long
reining and basic flat work. If you can get their respect on the ground
then you are well on your way. Her ridden work was a tad sluggish to
start with but it gave me a chance to get to know her and for her to get
to know and trust me. Now she is being fed a small amount of oats,
ridden in a happy mouth and light in the hand, but it is still early
days and if she gets strong with me I will cut her feed back again. So
look carefully at what you are feeding her and ask for advice from your
feed merchant as some feeds can be like feeding your pony rocket fuel
with explosive results. Louise. Scribble@tinyonline.co.uk
I'm
not sure myself if this will work but my friend had a youngster with the
same problem as yours and she got fed up of the constant napping so she
decided to find a way off napping back herself so the pony could know
what it felt like. She worked on this for about 3 weeks and the pony
started to come around. don't put loads of gadgets on your pony cause
that can sometimes get them more wound up than they already are. i hope
this can help u in some way. please email me back if your pony makes any
progress from laura LHDCARS@aol.com
Wood
Chewing Where do I get animal lard? Can it be bought in Canada? I am looking for information on how to get my horses from chewing wood, I have recently redone my barn and I was looking for something to paint on the new wood before they started to chew, if you have any hints please forward. Thanks Shauna Leonard Nova Scotia, Canada. sleonard@stfx.ca
GeeGees
Replies...
Emma Turton wrote to protest about the above advice as "her friend used mustard to deter her horse from chewing and he was allergic to it he then got colic although it was mild it's not worth it buy something made for the job?"
We
always used to mix some Tabasco sauce with petroleum jelly and smear it
where they're likely to chew. Lynn Koster lynnk@eventures.co.uk Try
using non toxic paint. It does work! richard@pennells.co.uk
Bringing-On
Advice Wanted
I have recently bought a youngster. She has been broken in for driving and has only had some one on her back a couple of times. I want to ride her. I have walked her out a few times and would like some advice on a training programme. Thanks for your help. Damian.Carlier@tesco.net
Jumping
Help
Can you help me? Please!? I ride a horse called Tiggywinkel, I have only been riding her for about 3 months. She is very novice. Every time she sees a jump that she thinks is the most terrifying jump in the world she freaks out right at the jump and I usually fall of, onto the jump. I will be starting to be going to shows and I will start competing. I'm really nervous! Please Help! pullen@global.co.za
GeeGees
says...
I'm
in the pony club and if you can jump and your horse can too, then if you
really want to, you can go to a clinic but the pony club don't EVER make
you do what you don't want to do. Before I was in the pony club I had
never really jumped I have now been a member for about 1 year and now
I'm jumping 3f 3.
How
do I stop my horse Biting? Send reply to: donna@fastrac.net.au
I was hoping some of your readers could help me. I have just purchased a 17 year old, part Arab gelding that bites all the time. He is great in every other way and I have the horse dentist coming out this week to check his teeth. Does anybody have any tricks to curb this nasty habit of his? My horse was a terrible biter and I was told that it was Stallion behaviour because he had been gelded late at 5 years (he's still 5!)...helpful! I found that punishment made him worse and was very wisely advised of an alternative method which worked for me and hopefully will work for you - here it is... When your horse goes to bite you, block him hard with your arm (yes you do need quick reflex's!). It's really important that you don't look him in the eye when you do it or he will think you are retaliating and he will interpret your reaction as attention which will only encourage him. Just look away and stick out your elbow or fore arm to bring it in to contact with him to block his attack. I looked at my horse after I first tried this and instead of his old habit of repeating the biting attempt, he was looking quite surprised but was calm and didn't try it again straight away. The idea is that the horse begins to associate biting with banging his own head rather than more attention from you or direct punishment (which can lead to him becoming headshy or more aggressive). It takes a while to get in the habit of doing this, especially the most important bits - not looking him in the eye and blocking before his teeth make contact with you!. It will take a couple of repeat lessons for him to stop altogether but it really does work! PLEASE NOTE: I am not suggesting you elbow your horse in the face or wallop him with your fore arm, firm blocking is all that is required!! Good luck Sam |
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