I have a lovely, genuine 4 year old Highland Pony gelding (Einar) who was lightly backed earlier this year (has done some very basic ridden work in walk mainly with a small amount of trot - no more than 10 minutes at a time two or three times a week). He took to this like a duck to water, taking everything calmly in his stride. However...a few weeks ago, he seemed really tense as soon as I mounted, and after only a few steps (before I could even dismount as I'd realised something wasn't right) he went berserk and threw me off before charging off around the arena in a bit of a panic.
I was later told that he'd been cast in the stable the night before! There were no obvious injuries and he'd been happy enough when I tacked him up. Obviously, had I known that he'd been cast, I wouldn't have ridden him. :( I asked my equine chiropractor (who is also an equine vet) to check him over, and she found that he had twisted and bruised his sternum, hence the pain. He's had several treatments from the chiro/vet and she is satisfied he is no longer in pain. She has checked him thoroughly all over and there are no back issues etc. His saddle has also been checked, and his teeth were done last month.
HOWEVER...he now seems to have major psychological issues about being girthed up. He gets really anxious and panicky, which really is out of character. I have been slowly putting his saddle on his back and lifting it off numerous times each day, and eventually loosely fastening the girth. He does eventually accept this, but I can tell he really isn't too happy (tense mouth and he sort of 'freezes'). He's an exceptionally genuine and willing little horse who just wants to please, so I know this is genuine fear rather than any learned behaviour.
My question is: what should I do? Should I carry on with the repeated saddling/girthing exercise until he is thoroughly used to it (habitual ritualisation!) or is there anything else I could try?
What Would Monty Do?!
Incremental re training is the way to go with the help of the dually and lots of rewards for correct behaviour as he has been badly hurt by the saddle and you riding him with his injury. Not you fault as you were not to know but now he has to learn that the saddle will no longer hurt him so continue just gently placing the saddle on him and once he stands still remove it. Try initially without the girth, then when he accepts the saddle add the girth but don't do it up initially. Once he accepts the saddle and the girth then do it up loosely as you are and take it off again. Put the saddle on and off from both sides too. When you finally decide to tighten the girth be aware that he could start bucking again so have him in a safe enclosed area before you do so. So sorry that you have both had this set back .
Hi. This is a minor set back! Calm yourself. That will help him greatly. Girth up really gently, be progressive! Give him the chance to fight back. After all, you are asking him to accept a saddle & that is a huge predictor. Then you put weight in there. Big, strong predictor. No wonder he fights! You're new to the Uni. Study! Be at ease with your horse. That will make him at ease with you. This is an easy fix but it will take time &'dedication, from you. You love this fella so take time to be in his space without making demands. Stop riding him - he's not ready for that responsibility & it frightens him. Keep us posted & we will help where we can. Cheers, Jo
Hi ponygirl77, what a shame for you both!
Bless him he is frightened isn't he! Yes i agree with MaggieF, keep it very slow with lots of praise.That would have been a very painful injury & he's so young.
Obviously you'd not have got on him if you'd been told what had happened, we all have situations like that at sometime, it is a case of taking your time & staying relaxed & patient with him, don't tell him off if he reacts to the girth, but do praise him very much if he stands quietly for a few seconds.
I would start with a soft roller rather than a saddle.
If you put a breast girth on it, then if he bucks like stink, it won't slip back causing more problems.
When he's calmer you could either lunge him in it or do join up if you have a safe area & you have done it before.
Hi Aren't Highlands just the best breed ever! I'm a little biased as, as well as being a Monty Instructor, I have just started a small Highland stud. :) They are a great genuine and willing breed and you'll soon be back on track again. If you are absolutely sure that there is no longer any pain then you are definitely doing the right thing desensitising to the saddle. I would also advice working with an elasticated surcingle (not a roller, just the simple sort you can buy for example to put over a rug). If you put this on for 15 mins before trying with the real girth then the horse normally accepts the real girth better - it's the give in the surcingle that helps. I'd also really advice the Linda Tellington-Jones (TTouch) exercise working with a long towel around the girth area - you'll need to look this up. (She calls it the belly lift). Only once he's moving happily with the saddle on long lining would I retry riding him and I'd start with bellying over with a helper - just in case he's made the association with the rider as well. Hope that helps Jo
This is brilliant folks - thank you all sooo much for your very valuable help! We've been persevering with just the saddle (no girth attached at all) putting it on and taking it off numerous times, and he's very relaxed with it all now. We're going to keep going with this every day for another couple of weeks before trying anything girth related. Jo Bond - I really like your idea of using an elastic surcingle and will definitely give that a go. I'll look up the TTouch belly lift info too - thank you! Once he's back on track and happy for me to belly over on him, I'm intending to just get on and literally ask for 4 or 5 steps of walk before dismounting and untacking, and hopefully build from there. I'll keep you updated - thanks again guys - this forum is the best!! Jo
Please update this thread with your progress - it will help so many other people! The idea of progressive progress takes a bit of trust. This is the message we want to spread - & your are part of thar! Cheers, Jo.
I certainly will do! So far, so good. He's very relaxed with having the saddle (with no girth attached) put on and off him multiple times now, and is happy to give the saddle a good, interested sniff! We're going to keep this up for another couple of weeks before very gradually and gently introducing a surcingle, and take it from there. :)
Great to read of your progress. Well done!
Excellent! Your taking things really nice & slow & giving him the chance to fully heal & what your doing with the saddle will take away his fear which is the most important thing of all, well done you.
Great stuff Ponygirl, Im sure with your patient approach all will be fine soon.
**UPDATE**
Success!! We have been gradually re-introducing the saddle (without girth initially), followed by an elasticated surcingle around his girth which we have tightened gradually over a few days, and finally today we were able to put the saddle on and girth it up!!
Einar was completed relaxed and happy throughout, so the slow, repetitious approach really seems to have worked!
We'll continue to put the saddle on and girth him up for the next little while, before we attempt any long-lining or ridden work.
Thanks everyone for your help and advice!!!
Jo
Fantastic! I'm so pleased for you & your pony. When you first posted you had, potentially, a big problem & your relationship was at a low. Now you have mutual trust again & you both feel confident. Keep up the great work. Remember, whenever you have a setback, sit down & think it through. Go back to a point where you & your pony were comfortable & build up from there. Oh yeah, & we are here to help - you just need to ask. Cheers, Jo.
Brilliant, well done.
Thats a great lesson for you both for the future, we all get problems at some stage, but now you'll be able to think it through on how to break it down into easy steps as you know it works.
Best of luck, keep us posted on how it goes. Beryl
That's wonderful, I knew you could do it ;-)
Well done! Great news. Thanks for the up date.