Overcoming My Horse’s Fear of Other Horses: The Breakthrough Continues (Article 3)



I'm trying my hardest, honest!


This is the third in a series of articles about implementing the suggestions in 4 Steps For Overcoming Your Horse’s Fear of Other Horses which I originally wrote for ezinearticles.com.

In the previous article I'd ended the training session with the scary horse trotting towards Cruz while he was on the inside track.

It was now time to take Cruz on the outside track, where he easily feels trapped.

A Bold Plan

Mindful that I increase Cruz’s anxiety by anticipating his, I decided to get more courageous in this next session. I wanted to learn just how much braver my horse and I had become after the exercises we’d already carried out.

When my friends - Julie, on ‘scary’ Cayenne, and Kelli, on friendly Pippi - entered the arena I told them: “Let’s just pretend Cruz has no problems, and ride around each other like normal horsewomen!”

Acting Normally

And that’s just what we did. We rode around like sensible riders, trotting and cantering towards each other on both the inside and outside tracks, following ring etiquette.

Cruz didn’t bat an eyelid! He’d become so used to working with these horses that even when friendly Pippi nearly ran into him, he wasn’t bothered. I’m not sure how he'd have reacted if ‘scary’ Cayenne had done that, but I was thrilled he stayed so calm when the hotter chestnut came towards him in every gait.

This was a major breakthrough! And just in time, too, as I had an upcoming competition on the weekend where I would have to warm up with other horses.

Showtime!

This particular show venue was perfect for our stage of ‘fear training.’ The warm-up area is very large, and familiar to Cruz.

Although there were only three other horses in there with us, one of them was a youngster and not totally under his rider’s control. So I was glad of the space to get out of his way!

Unlike previous times when I’ve tended to ‘hope for the best’ and not take charge of my horse, I was careful to ‘ride every stride’ in that warm-up. I let Cruz know that I was in command, and would keep him safe. “Just pay attention to me, and you’ll be fine.”

I was proud of him. One horse was performing lateral work, and moving sideways into our line of travel. I quietly turned Cruz away from the ‘threat’ and continued working him. Even when a horse was cantering towards him on a circle, and appeared ready to collide with our canter circle, Cruz kept his cool.

Yet another horse was coming into the warm-up. Since it was nearly my ride time, I decided to take Cruz out now and cash in on his calmness. It was making me feel calm, too, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Entering the Ring

The judge was having a short break. Just as I was about to go in and settle Cruz down before she returned, the rider of the hot young horse came out and asked to join us in the ring for a while.

She obviously thought my amazingly calm Cruz would be a soothing influence! I felt a heel, but had to say ‘no.’ I explained why, and she understood perfectly. Later when she rode her test her horse bucked several times and I knew I’d made a good decision.

Our two tests had some 7s and 8s mixed in with our not-so-good movements. We got 63% in our second showing, and won both Second Level classes. Don't tell anyone that we were the only partnership riding in them! But it was nice to have two blue ribbons (however dubiously come by) to celebrate our successful return to a warm-up arena.

It was an important first step in Cruz’s rehabilitation.

Coming Up

I have another show this weekend, after a two week break and a hurricane. However, the warm-up will be smaller and more crowded, and it may be too soon for Cruz to go in there. I will ride him at the venue on the day before, and see how he copes with the other horses before I decide whether to try the warm-up on the day.

I’ll be reporting back!

Overcoming My Horse’s Fear of Other Horses: The Breakthrough Continues (Article 2)

I'm really trying my best to get over my fears, Mum!

This is the second in a series of posts about implementing my own suggestions in the article  4 Steps For Overcoming Your Horse’s Fear of Other Horses  which I originally wrote for ezinearticles.com.

It is an ongoing exercise in putting my money where my mouth isJ

Tackling the Next Step

Yesterday Julie brought her ‘scary’ mare, Cayenne, over for our next session in getting Cruz over his fear of other horses in general, and this one in particular.

I’d already exercised Cruz for thirty minutes before her arrival, and decided to skip the initial ground work which began our previous sessions.

Instead, Julie and I immediately rode in opposite directions from each other in walk, with only a small gap between the two horses. This meant Cruz had no time to get used to Cayenne's presence before having her walk 'at him.'

I purposely placed Cruz on the outside track, as he tends to feel ‘hemmed in’ between a moving horse and the perimeter fence.

So it was wonderful when he calmly accepted Cayenne walking towards him on both reins!

Upping the Stakes

Blown away with elation, we decided to move up to trot.

During our last session Cruz walked while the other horses trotted towards him on either side. This time, with only one other horse in the arena, we transitioned into trot together. Again, we immediately rode in opposite directions.

Not wanting to destroy what we had so carefully built, I trotted Cruz on the inside track, so he wouldn’t feel claustrophobic. Julie and I rode several circuits of the arena on both reins, while I moved Cruz closer to the oncoming ‘scary’ chestnut mare.

Playing My Part

Desperate for this exercise to succeed, I think I was more anxious than my horse! It cost me a lot to sit quietly, with my hands firmly in front of the saddle to encourage forward movement.

There was only one anxious tremor from Cruz. I immediately pushed my hands a little further along his crest, with a slight closing of my leg, to encourage him without bullying. 

Ending on a Successful Note

It worked. The tremor subsided almost as soon as it had begun and we rode smoothly past. WooHoo!

After three quiet trot loops on each rein it was time to walk our horses, give Cruz a huge pat and thank Julie and Cayenne for their tremendous help.

This afternoon we will trot Cruz between the mare and the outside railing. Here’s hoping for another big step forwards in his rehabilitation!



Overcoming My Horse's Fear of Other Horses: a Breakthrough! (Article 1)

Today is a great day! Read on…

The Problem

I’ve been plagued for a long time by Cruz’s fear of other horses in the arena at shows, but also at home. This problem has forced me to choose show venues with an alternative warm-up area where we can work alone.

Last week I went online, looking to see if anyone else’s horse has this problem, and what they do about it. Many riders have posted on forums that their horses are scared of being ridden around their own kind, and I searched for meaningful answers.

Looking For Help

I was very excited when my search revealed 4 Steps For Overcoming Your Horse’s Fear of Other Horses although the title sounded eerily familiar.

Aha! I thought – I need to read this.

Imagine my surprise when I found myself reading my own article! I wrote it a while ago for ezinearticles.com, but am also billed as a guest blogger on Richard Beal’s blog. He writes on Western riding, and I was flattered that he felt my advice worth repeating.

Using the system, Cruz had got better, then regressed when a horse bucked next to him at a show warm-up. After that, I had not been working consistently to regain his trust, as I should have. 

Since mine appears to be the only step by step program for eliminating a horse’s fear of other horses, it was high time I carried it out properly! (Please let me know if you find another program.)

  

Start with Fantastic Friends

I am blessed with amazing friends, who are committed to helping me.

Cruz feels safe around Kelli’s quiet mare, Pippi. She is his comfort zone.

Julie has an energetic mare, Cayenne, of whom Cruz is deadly scared as soon as she even walks towards him, or dares to step sideways in his direction. He sucks back and half-rears in fear. She is a very useful 'threat.'

The Program

Getting a horse over this fear takes as long as it takes: days, weeks or months. Each horse is different. Patience is key.

I suggest riding the frightened animal with one calm horse to begin with, until he is completely comfortable. Then bring in a second horse.

If your horse is truly frightened (and maybe scaring you, as Cruz had started to do with me), start with either you or a strong and calm horse person on foot. Stand beside the horse at the arena entrance and let the other(s) walk, trot and canter past.

Once he stays calm, lead him into the arena and have him stand in the middle while the others ‘do their thing.’ Then walk him between the other horses as they walk - then trot - towards him, and up from behind him on either side.

When he is calm about this, get on him (or have a competent, calm rider mount up for a while) and walk him between the oncoming horses as they walk and trot towards him/from behind.

The next step is to trot your horse among the two others, followed by everyone cantering.

Cruz is afraid of horses coming towards him, but some horses are more worried about horses coming up from behind. Adjust the exercises for your equine buddy’s particular issue.

Carrying Out My Own Advice

Day One

Yesterday a calm, strong and competent friend (thank you, Christina!) led Cruz into the arena while Pippi and Cayenne worked around him. Then yours truly had the guts to lead her own horse :)  while the others walked and trotted towards us.

Cruz stayed calm and I finished there.

Day Two

Today I worked him under saddle for 30 minutes until the others arrived, then dismounted and led him among the other horses again. Julie’s daughter, Ashley, had brought her cute and calm young gelding, Teddy, into the mix. Three other horses in all.

Cruz was great on the ground, so I mounted and walked him between the two mares as they walked and trotted towards him on either side.

We only had one ‘iffy’ moment when Cruz thought about sucking back. I realized that I pull on the reins when that happens, making it worse. The second time around I kept my hands steady, in front of the saddle.

Cruz breezed between the two mares without a hitch, in both directions!!!


YoooHoooooo! This is HUGE! Cruz enjoyed the big pats and hugs. He, too, felt the enormity of what he'd accomplished and snorted happily back to the barn.

Thank you so much, Kelli, Julie and Ashley!! They are very kindly coming back tomorrow, so we can build on today’s success.

I aim to trot him between the oncoming horses and will keep you posted.