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Discussion on Vocal and Distracted | |
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 23, 1999 - 12:50 pm: My horse which I have had for 3 months is very green to the hunter environment as he used to race. He jumps very well and pays attention most of the time, however, he seems very distracted by what is going on at the barn and where his mates are when he is being ridden. He will often be very vocal and start neighing competitions and will look around and obviously not pay attention to me. How do I get him to listen to what I want. I have tried circles and changes of direction and he listens to me then but when we ride straight he starts again. I can't ride in circles for the rest of my life. Will this be a phase and he will grow out of? |
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 23, 1999 - 1:01 pm: Hi Carol,how old is your horse?? That will tell you if he has a chance to outgrow it. The calling to other horses is a natural response of his but can be very annoying and it does mean that he's not paying attention. When my horse was younger I used to discourage his calling to others by saying "no" in a firm voice and giving a little tug on the lead line. He now knows he's not supposed too but on occasion he will try to "whisper" (have you ever heard a horse whisper????? it's hilarious). Anyway, everytime he calls to another horse do something immediately that will get his attention on you (small circle, back up, transition) and then go back to what you were doing before. When he doesn't call reward him by a pat and a "good boy" and let him have a break. After a while he will associate calling to others with having to do something difficult. It should begin to fade. Also, do a lot of lunging and everytime he gets distracted make him transition or move out more. You'll know he's focussed on you by watching the inside ear (it should be turned towards you). When he's nice and focussed give him a break and when he gets distracted put him back to work. As you've only had him a few months he'll need time to bond to you. Lots of ground handling will help with that process. good luck Teresa |
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 24, 1999 - 10:20 am: Hi Teresa,Thanks for the suggestions. He is 8 years old. I guess everything at the barn is still very new. Yes, I have heard him whisper a neigh. It sounds strangled - you're right it's very funny. I ignore those ones. I am working with a trainer and she thinks he is very intelligent and gets bored very easily which is why his mind wanders. I do not entirely trust him yet and that will take some time. I find him a intimidating on his worst days, which no doubt reinforces the behaviour to act up. I did not know about the inside ear and I will watch for that the next time I ride him and make him work when he is not paying attention to me. |
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 24, 1999 - 11:23 am: " I do notentirely trust him yet and that will take some time." I wonder if he trusts you, yet? It is an interesting exercise to swap what one says about their horse and themselves to the other partner in the riding relationship. It can take time to build a bond with a horse. I've heard people say as much as a year! Horses that have been raced can be challenging in their own rights, too. I would guess he is calling to his friends as he doesn't feel secure with you, yet. As you build up time with him and build a companion relationship, his trust in you should increase. If you can, try to spend more time with him - grooming, treats, be there to give him a meal, etc. The idea is to try to become a good friend, besides a rider. Spend some time (even a whole day) with him, observing his routine, how he interacts with his buddies, etc. You can learn where he likes to be scritched and then scritch there. He can learn that when you arrive it doesn't always mean just work - other things might happen. As you are observing him, you may develop your own ideas since your mind is clear and undistracted. How long since he was raced? A race horse can take some time to "let down" from racing, too. The fitness needs change from the track to a riding horse and that may be causing some nervousness on your part which he is picking up. One last thought - try giving him short breaks while you ride. I think attention span has to be developed, like a muscle. His distractions may come when his mind is tired from concentrating. So, before his is distracted, give him a short walk on long reins and then start up again. It might help. There are lots of other ideas, approaches, etc. But, given he is in a new environment and has switched to a new career, I'd expect it to take some time and patient, consistent riding. Keep a diary, too. Those tweeney weeney incremental improvements will look very big after 6 months or a year. It helps to be reminded of where you were and how far you've come. Good luck. |
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 24, 1999 - 2:24 pm: Hey Chris,Thanks for the psychological insight into horses. He has been off the track as far as we can work out about 6 or so months. Originally he was taught to jump and then stood around in a field for a couple of months as the owner did not pay the trainer. Eventually he was sold on and finally I got him. When I first rode him, he was very strung out and not very pleasant but particularly over the last 2 months he has become a joy to ride (when his mind is on it). He is very curious with everything that goes on in his stall, is "orally fixated" (yes, he cribs), plays with everything and is ticklish. I guess I view him as a big kid. I am already keeping a diary, which was more for my riding, but now I am going to extend my note taking to everything. Perhaps I expect too much....he is not a school horse. |
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 24, 1999 - 7:27 pm: Hi Carol,Go ahead and expect lots from your horse, just don't expect it right away. Never accept that a negative behavior will always exist. It might be highly resistant to change but with patience it can happen. Your horse will learn at his own pace and there's no speeding it up. I get so tired of people expecting it to be perfect the first time, like asking a horse to collect and be on the bit right away. When the horse doesn't respond immediately they go and buy all sorts of contraptions. It's a real pet peeve of mine. 6-7 months ago my horse (long story made short) would not move forward at all. Now we placed at our first show he's ever been to, I can gallop him across the field and collect him up into a nice gait. the secret was small baby steps and lots of patience. I'm not the best rider or trainer but I know my horse and I used a lot of thought. So, in short, be patient and work out small steps for your horse. You'll be impressed how far you'll come. Teresa |
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Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 1999 - 10:27 am: Hi Chris and Teresa,Just wanted to share with you that we went to a show yesterday and he did really well in the baby greens and hack. He came 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th and ended up Reserve Champion. Yes, he got distracted and nearly tripped over a fence but this was only his second show. I spent a lot of time patting him every time he didn't reply to other horses which by the end of the day was more frequent(hopefully he gets the idea now). Thanks for the feedback! Carol |
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Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 1999 - 6:19 pm: Carol,That is wonderful! You must be very pleased. I thought of you the other night when I was riding in practice. My mare started responding to the stallion's whinneys ... which got old, so we just worked harder - more figures, more transitions, more everything so she had to concentrate. And she is 16, and been around the block a time or two. But as only mare on the farm, she looks good to the two studs, GRIN. Your horse should be an old hand at this before long. He sounds very nice. Cheers. |
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Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 3:09 pm: Hi Carol;I had exactly the same problem with my new mare. She would do fine until we turned toward the pastures and she could see the other horses. I could not get her attention. What corrected the problem finally was getting off of her and standing at the edge of the outdoor arena and letting her look out that way. Then turning around and walking away for a little ways, then turn and go back to the fence and stop and let her look. Each time I took a few steps further away. It took about half an hour of doing this, but I noticed she seemed less and less concerned with what was going on in that pasture. I think she figured out those horses weren't going anywhere. Worked great for us! |
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