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Horse Behavior and Training

Horse freaks out when long line touches her back legs

Hello!

Hi and thank you for your help!

I really like the lessons on long lining. Today I had my first opportunity. My husband and I watched the videos and then put all of the equipment on our horse. She was wonderfully still and calm for all of it until we moved her out and the long line touched her back legs. She almost pulled her back legs under her and then bolted. The slightest touch sent her off with even some spinning.
We backed off and spent some time just touching her gently with the line while talking to her and rubbing her. She stood still again during this, on alert but began to relax.
We tried again and as soon as we gently flipped the line over and it even grazed her side of back leg she did the same thing.
She is well trained in being ridden but the trainer did not do ground work with her.
In general she is very sensitive and she catches on quickly and wants to please.
I would love to have help in knowing how to desensitize her on the long line so I can lunge her appropriately.
Thank you

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi sandy,
Welcome to the forum!
How old is your mare? Did YOU do any groundwork with her, after she came from the trainer under saddle? What a wonderful opportunity to work with your mare together with your husband!
There are two very nice lessons on this UNI, under the title "Monty's demontrations on tour" you'll find "Saffy, the horse that kicks" and "Saffy's longline challenge".
Here you should find everything your mare needs...
Now is this something you can offer her, or do you think it's wise to ask for help?
I don't know where you live, but there should be a Certified Instructor in Monty's concepts in your area. You can find them under the button "Instructors" at the top of this/any page!
Please let us know how you're doing and have fun!
Miriam

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Me again!
Is this the same horse that shows bad behavior going left in Join-Up?
Is gather you live in Colorado....
Miriam

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Hello Sandy and welcome to the Uni. The first question that I would ask is What Direction was your horse moving toward? You have told us that the horse seems to have issues moving to the left. That could be part of the problem.. With that said, I believe your horse has not been recently desensitize to objects that are seen from behind and especially from the right eye. When people bring a horse into their lives that has previous training in WHATEVER DISCIPLINE, sometimes they forget the single most important element of that training, CONNECTION of horse to human. I only mention these things in an effort to give you pause for some thought about the different issues one has to deal with when training a horse.
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.When you watch Monty with the long lines with the different horses that he works with, remember that he is a master at the appropriate timing, body language, and feel to get the horse to respond to his ques. This is not an easy thing to do with a horse that has no background in the exercise or to a new trainer. THEY HAVE TO GET A FEEL in order to respond successfully.
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.I would suggest desensitizing with a longe whip softly rapping around the hind legs to start with while you are standing at the side of your horse loosely, holding the lead line. If your horse wants to move, allow the movement. Then bring him back to the original spot and start again with desensitizing around the back legs. Keep everything calm with meaningful intention and deep breathing on your part. Step #2 When you feel that your horse is solid on the first step, hook a long line on his left side and let him drag it on the ground while you lead him from the same side. CAUTION ,this might spook him at first, but he will settle quickly. #3 While your husband leading the horse, you pick up the longe line and walk behind the horse. When this become successful [free of stress] on all fronts, #4 Have your husband remove the lead line while you are walking and in the behind position to lead your horse while he continues to walk, but without connection to the horse. When this is successful #5 clip a long line on the right side of the horse [now there are two long lines attached] and have your husband reclip the lead line back on, and desensitize your horse, while standing still, to the right side line touching the backside of his butt and leg. When this is solid and environment is calm, have your husband walk off slowly with you being in the driving position. This is point where you really have to revisit the videos that Monty does with long lining. Look at this whole procedure as a step by step process. Monty makes it look easy, but he has spent a life time getting this right.
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.Go very slow with intention, even to the point of a daily approach to the above steps. Become a master at this exercise, it`s important in the development of YOU and your horse.
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.Plese keep us posted Sandy.
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All t, and again welcome to the UNIhe best

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

OH MY meant to say All the best and welcome to the UNI.
.
Bud USA

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Miriam, that video if Monty`s that you suggested Sandy watch, is right on spot with the problem that she presented.
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.All the best Bud

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi Bud,
It is such a pleasure reading your comments! What a treasure of knowledge and experience you bring into this forum! I think we DO make a difference, all of us on this forum, making the world a better place for horses and people, too!
Keep the good work going!
Miriam

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Hi Miriam and thank you for the kind words. I have always felt that we learn so much from each other because we simply interpret ideas and concepts differently. We all seem to be working on a pattern of thought that deals with our own circumstance when it comes to horses and problem solving.
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.I have never felt as much support for helping each other as I have felt with you all on this forum. You all make me a better horseman.
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.Thank you Bud

Mel - Ramsgate UK
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Missing being about and please accept my apologies, one day it will all be revealed lol.
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Our BamBam had big issues with his back lets and even with applying all we knew from Monty and other methods, it took a long time for BamBam to get used to lunge lines around his back lets. This last winter he finally let us use leg straps on him for his rug. We dont know what's happened in his past as a rescue horse, but to make him feel safe was the key, which is what you'll get from the Videos Sandy.
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We're with you on that Bud, the support given to each other without judgment is one of the best things on Monty's Equus forum :D
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Great Teamwork!
Mel
x

sandy
Hello!

Oh thank you for the advice and the video. My horse does not kick but is uncomfortable with the lines touching her. I talked to my trainer and we will work with different desensitization of all types. I am looking forward to riding our beautiful trails and so this will help us both get more comfortable. My vet did check her and she has had some hard work for her young years. A shot Legend, love and prayers are all providing healing for her. I rode her yesterday and she was calm and soft and willing. we also moved her from a very hard bit to a kimberwick and she responded very well. She is very sensitive to the touch so when I just think a movement and barely apply pressure she moves easily. I love your comments and all of your help. I am thankful to be part of this great community!

sandy
Hello!

And yes same horse and I love in Highlands Ranch Colorado if any of you are ever this way!

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

Hi Sandy
:
Great advice from all - glad you had the vet out. I have a strong suspicion from what you are saying that your horse in her previous training life has been 'flicked' with a lunge whip. It would explain her sensitivity AND her "bad behaviour" when going left as most people lunge to the left so her anger would be understandable if she was anticipating pain from the sting of the lunge whip.
:
Take care with the Kimberwick Sandy - as always it's the hands that matter and I'm sure you are very sensitive and easy with her but they are designed to have a strong curb/leverage action - just an aside thought ;-)

sandy
Hello!

I had a very harsh shank that they recommended (previous trainer) and we have gone to the Kimberwick and hope to eventually get to a snaffle. What would you recommend?

I agree that somewhere along the way she was treated harshly. My goal is treat her with respect and kindness and get her to the pint where is not so sensitive about every little thing. She is progressing and so am I.

Thank you

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

I think your plan is great sandy and it your kindness and care is very apparent; your horse is lucky to have found you, looking forward to hearing about her progress.

sandy
Hello!

Does anyone know if Monty has any videos with gaited horses? Also is anyone in the forum great with gaited horses. i rode my mare today and she had a hard time calming down and staying in just a walk. I know she had a lot of programming to have someone get on with a spur and she had to get up and go which is the opposite of what I want.

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi Sandy,
I'm not the person to help you with a gaited horse, but a horse is a horse...,
so let me suggest you might need to re-train your mare, and this starts with TRUST!
Horses are very quick at picking up what is asked of them, when they feel they are allowed to try (and even make a mistake..). I'd start with lots of groundwork, to build up the relationship between the 2 of you and give her confidence that you're on her side.
She must have had quite some bad experiences, the only way to help her overcome those, is to "re-write" her "harddisc", if you get the meaning.
Find things she does well and build up from there, maybe you should consider to not ride her for a while, until she's really "yours", I think it's up to you to get the "whole picture" first, before you can start solving the problems you meet. She might be a handful, but let me come back to my suggestion of finding a Certified Instructor in Monty's concept and give your mare the best of chances to have a happy second part of her life.
This is not an answer to your direct question, but I still hope it helps you on your way to help this mare. We all become better horsemen and -women by facing the needs of the horses we meet!
Miriam

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

I agree with Miriam, take it slow, focus on the relationship and think about how your mare sees the world i.e. see it from her point of view not the human's. Spurs?? Well, would that explain some of her worry about longlines touching her? It may not be just the lines touching her legs that bothers her, it may be when they touch her flanks where the spurs have hit before. A thoughts to ponder on...:-)

bahila73
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Miriam, that is so well said and I believe the key to unlocking un- wanted behavior from any horse. WE HAVE TO RE- START THE CONNECTION and build a sanctuary for two, while allowing enough time for the new thoughts to work their magic both with horse and human.
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.With gaited horses, the rhythm of the beat is somewhat different [from a foxtrot to a waltz] but the GO -AHEAD is the same in the HARDDISC of the mind.
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Sandy, our horses can get pushed in so many directions as they RIDE THE TIDE of the handling with different owners. As horsemen and women we put are own touch into action with the hope of understanding. My hope is that we all can find a way for that special connection to be born.
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.All my best, Bud

sandy
Hello!

Thank you everyone and I will look for a certified instructor. My horse is doing very well with the Dually halter and we just hang out a lot. She has a very sweet way about her and I can tell she wants to trust and please and it will take time. I can not imagine why anyone ever felt they had to be rough with her since she is sensitive and smart. I know from reading the show life can sometimes be brutal. I am so blessed that she is mine. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi sandy,
You made the difference for your horse, you started out with seeing "problems" and now you see the whole horse with her sensitivity and bagage!
Let me tell you I'm so proud of you!!!
Please stay in contact with this forum and let us know how the two of you grow.
Miriam

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Late again, sorry guys, lots happening here.
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Sandy, reading though the rest of the post reminds me of our Pye, although not the same as your horse, because of his treatment he had big issues and became dangerous. It's taken a long time to build trust, even with Monty's methods, but with gentleness, consistent repetition and allowing him to be able to say no has created a working partner with me. Soft touch is essential on the ground and on back, he will now move to the slightest nod of my head or touch to his withers as do my other horses. Gentleness, kindness and building that trust first on the ground then on the back is always a positive way forwards. We've had Pye now just over 3 years and I'd say really only in the last year has he said he's ready to be ridden again.
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No matter how others around you think you should train your horse, stick with the team on the Uni they'll help you through with the methods of kindness we all stand by. They work every time!
Mel
x

sandy
Hello!

Thank you Forum Friends,

I am so encouraged by your words and concern for me and my sweet horse. I will keep working with her on trust and ground work. Riding is going well. I am taking it in short time frames and always ending on a positive note. She is willing and sensitive so patience is key.