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Post by harveydales on Aug 31, 2006 5:16:57 GMT -1
Gill, you are one talented lady when it comes to dealing with horses with issues. You can be deservedly proud of yourself. Lovely to read Olivia's story! I can imagine what might have happened to Olivia in less experienced hands. Olivia is a lucky pony to have found herself with you.
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Post by harleydales on Aug 31, 2006 8:21:46 GMT -1
How wonderful to have had a breakthrough at last!! She certainly sounds like she's been a challenge. I had a claustrophobic pony who wouldn't go inside and reared under pressure, I know how horrible it can be.
Well done you, hope you awarded yourself with a large glass of Cava/sloe gin.....
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Post by The Moo on Aug 31, 2006 8:51:21 GMT -1
What brilliant news, you certainly put a lot into your ponies so it is good that you are now reaping the rewards. Yielding to bit pressure is a major step forward.
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Post by DalesLady on Aug 31, 2006 20:16:48 GMT -1
Oh well done Gill. This is great to hear.
Some of our pony friends are more of a challenge than others, but the really difficult ones turn out to be the ones who give the most back in the end.
Here's hoping for a long and happy partnership !
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Post by juliansteve on Sept 1, 2006 10:49:03 GMT -1
I really enjoyed reading this - it shows what can be done with patience and confidence! Looking forward to reading about your progress - it sounds as if you've both turned a corner.
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Post by bevbob on Sept 2, 2006 7:50:11 GMT -1
Blimey Gill, fantastic!!! Well done, shes going to be a lovely ridden pony Im sure.
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Post by greydales on Sept 2, 2006 7:50:19 GMT -1
We attempted a backing yesterday - ooer! Olivia was very good in the arena, very calm so I longlined her for a bit then we stood her in the corner, I fed her a few nuts and Anna leant over her, then I gave her a leg up. She was good as gold, didn't even bat an eyelid. I walked off for a few paces, and asked her to whoa - when she suddenly freaked out and took off bucking! Poor Anna flew out the side door - good job the landing was rubber  Olivia was a bit jumpy after that so I lunged her for a bit and took her out, tied her up and leant across her back and she didn't bother about it at all. Not sure what it was that worried her, maybe she suddenly caught sight of Anna or maybe asking her to stop affected her balance and Anna may have inadvertantly touched her sides. I think where another less sensitive pony would just accept it Olivia being as she is will probably have to have everything broken down into tiny steps, ie. get on but not walk off - and gradually build up to moving once she has accepted the mounting. Anyway I will try it later on in the stable! Anna is a bit achey but I don't think she is as bad as I would have been LOL! Not sure I should be doing this at my age ... |
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Post by bevbob on Sept 2, 2006 7:53:04 GMT -1
Oooo glad Annas okish! I hope she stays nice and sensible next time!
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Post by harveydales on Sept 2, 2006 7:53:37 GMT -1
Oh dear, poor Anna! Glad she is OK - after last Sunday I can vouch for the fact that landing on a rubber surface is painless! Olivia really is a sensitive soul isn't she? I thinkyou are right, it's a case of taking things slowly and breaking it down into little bits.
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Post by carolinec on Sept 2, 2006 8:19:38 GMT -1
It's fantastic news Gill.
Olivia really does seem to have "turned the corner" now.
It seems to have taken her a little time to realise that there are far worse fates than being a ridden pony! LOL Poor old Chiftain must have been a bit miffed though.
I know how much effort youve put in to her though so it's no real surprise that she's finally turning out ok. Let's be honest, you'd be bored with out a challenge wouldn't you? LOL
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Post by jacquidales on Sept 2, 2006 8:20:58 GMT -1
That's some progress Gill. Long may it continue. It's given me some encouragement with Socks as I recognise all the same trailts in her as you've said Olivia has.
Well done
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Post by dalesponyrider on Sept 2, 2006 8:30:11 GMT -1
Poor Anna! Glad it wasn't you though - you wouldn't bounce so easily! LOL!
Sounds like you are on the right track by breaking it down into baby steps and only moving on when she is totally happy.
Are you sure the stable is the best place for you to try it? The surface won't be as soft in there and there are awfully hard walls!
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Sept 2, 2006 10:03:30 GMT -1
oooooh be careful Gill, don't want you out of action.
Olivia sounds like she wants to take things real slow - I know how tempting it is when they accept something you always want to do the next thing straight away and that tends to be a bad idea (in my experience).
She will be fine in the end - it's just going to take ages!! LOL
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Post by sammy on Sept 2, 2006 10:23:58 GMT -1
Well done, you have obviously put a lot of time and effort in to all of her training and it's paying off.
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Post by Debbie on Sept 2, 2006 13:57:40 GMT -1
Olivia certainly found the perfect home with you, Gill. I remember how sensitive she was ...and that was just viewing her as a foal in the field with her mum! Lucky, lucky girl to have landed on her feet with you. Sorry to hear about Anna going out the side door like that. It certainly sounds like Olivia will need mega small steps. I do wonder if it was because she suddenly 'saw' Anna out of her right eye? I know ponies process things differently with each eye. What they might accept with the left eye, will trigger a flight response with the right. I've a feeling once you've trained her, she will be an ultra sensitive, finger light to manover type pony.  I do hope Anna feels better soon...and please be careful with that idea in the stable. Olivia may feel more trapped and more apt to trigger a flight response. And as Linda points out, those walls are hard! |
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Olivia was a bit jumpy after that so I lunged her for a bit and took her out, tied her up and leant across her back and she didn't bother about it at all.
