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Leilani
Member
Username: leilani
Post Number: 474
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 17, 2008 - 11:10 pm: |   |
Ok, calling all HA'ers. I need your help. My normally calm and well behaved 7yo QH mare really outdid herself today.
Scenario: I had a problem with her 2 weeks ago re not willing to walk calmly down the road to the trailer. She was spinning and mini rearing, but it passed. It was almost as if she was (she was) in another zone. She then willingly got in her trailer.
Today, decided to take her through the pasture and come out right by the trailer. She balked a couple of times, but I stayed with her and we marched merrily on. Until...
We were going through some rocky areas into a small paddock that opens up to the trailer area. She very unexpectedly started to rear, spin, and snort. I ducked under the fence to get out of harms way. I held onto her, but she started snorting and her body language told me that she was ready to jump the fence.
I remained calm during all this, but I became very concerned that she would hurt herself. I could not get her to focus on me.
I managed to remove her halter as I was worried that if she bolted she might become entangled and break her neck. She took off like a bolt of lightning. At that moment I was thinking how glad I wasn't riding her.
After regaining my composure, I walked up to her and in true horseville, she was again my beloved Anuhea (gosh it was a long time ago).
Now, anyone think it was a herd thing. My ideas run towards she just didn't want to flipping go.
All replies are welcome. Leilani |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 2666
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 5:32 am: | |
Hi Leilani, IF I understand you right this is new behavior? She usually loads well up until a few weeks ago?
IF that's the case, be sure to check you trailer for bees nests ect. OR she could have had a bad trailer ride the last time.
Horses are funny creatures so if it isn't the trailer itself, it could be many things. The last time you took her that she loaded well, was it a "hard ride'"? It could be herd bound behavior.
COULD be many things
I think if I were you I would start leading her to the trailer daily and when I got there turn around lead her back and lunge her a little (some kind of work). repeat. When she walks to the trailer calmly and loads nicely, observe how she acts once in there. If calm take her for a little trailer ride and return.
If this is new behavior and she has been good up until the last 2 weeks I would look to the trailer, or the driver for problems.
OR as you say she just didn't want to go!! |
Linda Lashley
Member
Username: lhenning
Post Number: 387
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 10:42 am: | |
I would use approach and retreat techniques. Use a 14' lead or longer. Walk her toward the trailer just until she begins to react. Allow her to move away, don't hold her tight, but don't allow her to leave. Wait until she calms down, then back off and walk to where she is comfortable, and praise her. Repeat. It may take a few days to get her up to the trailer and into it, so be patient.
I've had my horse (same age as Anuhea) walk perfectly nice along a tree line then one day decide trees are scarey monsters. Same kind of reaction you got. Who knows walk lurks behind trailers and trees! However, when you released her you were rewarding her bad behavior, (although your safety is the first priority so the right thing to do under the circumstance). By allowing her to move her feet so that she is running in a circle around you, it should keep her from rearing. Try to let her have some room to move but still remain attached to the lead. Wear gloves if you need them to keep ahold of the lead.
It is extremely important that you remain completely calm. Sing, say the A-B-C's, think about something you have to concentrate on, but don't let yourself become tense. She will pick up on your breathing changes and won't settle down. Counting is good too; try and stay rhythmic and cadenced in your walk. Talk to her the same way you do when working her.
My horse now walks the tree line like it is no big deal, it just took some time.
Good luck,
Linda |
Cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 1114
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 11:18 am: | |
Don't forget Diane's favorite ...... snakes! I have one who would go to another state to avoid them and one who stomps em flat! Does sound like a Bad trailer experience! Good job in the calm and fast thinking department! Cindy |
Dove2
Member
Username: dove2
Post Number: 303
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 11:20 am: | |
We, as humans, are the most insensitive creatures on the earth. By this, I mean that our senses are so poor that we would not know what a horse is reacting to because it may be quite some distance away. We interpret things as we "see" them.
My guess is that the trailer was not an issue at all because the mare had no trouble loading before. However, since you were in a rocky section, and the horse's reaction included snorting, and wanting to run, I'd guess there were some smells which frightened her. There are all sorts of animals, etc. that hide in there (or she may even have been reacting to a smell a half mile away).
I suppose our human weakness is the result of being at the top of the food chain! |
Imogen Bertin
Member
Username: imogen
Post Number: 1165
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 4:21 pm: | |
Were you by any chance taking her away from her herd-buddies?
Imogen |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 611
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 9:06 pm: | |
Hi Leilani,
I'm sure many approaches can resolve this behavior. Just make sure that you do not reward her when she is acting up, even by the release that Linda suggests, or by petting, feeding, whatever. Otherwise the behavior will become worse, no matter what the initial cause was.
She needs to learn that this unsafe behavior does not get her something she wants.....
Let us know how you get along.
- Elizabeth |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 21221
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 10:01 am: | |
Hello Leilani,
When horses don't pay attention in hand or I am training them to lead, I use a chain over the nose. The problem is that with a adult horse it requires a bit more finesse and perhaps muscle but it does do a great job of focusing the horse. This is described at, Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Halter Training and Tying Horses.
DrO |
