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Post by greydales on Sept 2, 2006 16:33:13 GMT -1
LOL, I have already been thrown across the stable by Olivia when trying to worm her  well we shall see, I will only do it if I feel its right. Meanwhile she is going to get a lot of longlining and general inhand work, as she is responding so well. It was actually her left eye that she would have seen Anna out of Debbie! But she was looking around at Anna when she was mounted, so it wasn't as if she suddenly saw her. It must have been the movement that panicked her I think. Who knows what goes on in her head! |
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Post by SuzieP on Sept 2, 2006 17:30:38 GMT -1
I didn't know that about left and right eye!
Poor Anna - hope she's OK today Gill and not too stiff for the pleasure ride.
I'm sure Olivia will come right - if anyone can do it, you can Gill......
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Post by dollylanedales on Sept 2, 2006 21:03:02 GMT -1
Anna was very brave .....such a shame Olivia decided to deposit her in the arena. Glad she was not hurt. It does sound as if Olivia is very sensitive - and will need things doing very slowly. Like you say, it was more than likely the movement, not the fact there was someone actually on her back.
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Post by greydales on Sept 3, 2006 6:31:25 GMT -1
That's encouraging Heather, he does sound similar! Olivia has to totally accept each stage of training without feeling she is under pressure before moving to the next stage, oh well I do seem to have a habit of collecting 'complicated' horses and ponies! If it hadn't been for Pip I would not have even considered Olivia, that horse taught me so much  |
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Post by leannwithconnie on Sept 3, 2006 8:56:58 GMT -1
Gosh Gill...I had no idea that you were having so many problems with Olivia. [I'm having a job keeping up with all the threads on here at the moment]
It sounds as if she must really trust to you most of the time to have come on so far.
The fact your pusing her into anything she isn't comfortable with must surely pay off inthe end!
She's one beautiful girl.
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Post by Debbie on Sept 7, 2006 13:15:57 GMT -1
That which does not kill you, makes you stronger.  I think you're about the only one that could have tackled Olivia. Afterall, she's amazingly sensitive....and that sensitivity will pay off big time in responsiveness and certainly presence once she's under saddle. |
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Post by The Moo on Sept 7, 2006 13:42:41 GMT -1
I was talking about backing ponies to someone the other day and they always fill a pair of old riding boots with stones or sand and fix them on to the pony and lunge/longrein with them dangling so the pony can buck/bronc as much as they like.
They used just use dangly stirrups but had one pony who didn't give two hoots about being bashed by the stirrup irons but really freaked at having legs on its side.
I would put them on the bottom of a pair of trousers and stuff the trousers as well and sit/tie the trousers to the saddle.
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Post by greydales on Sept 7, 2006 20:43:28 GMT -1
There's all sorts of things I can try, thanks for the suggestions I know she doesn't bother with stirrups bashing her sides because I've already tried them! Debbie, it would be great if I ever progress to riding her LOL! Maybe she will have to be a driving pony!! |
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Post by Debbie on Sept 7, 2006 23:50:53 GMT -1
I've thought about the driving as well, but I think I'd rather have her under saddle and step out from under than go rattling about fixed to a carriage  |
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Post by greydales on Sept 8, 2006 7:12:40 GMT -1
I tend to agree Debbie - I was kind of joking! Don't think I'd have anything in harness that wasn't 150%. I think she'll be okay with traffic, but it's her panicky tendency that would worry me. I don't have any particular plans for her and will just take things as they come - I certainly don't want to risk my neck at my time of life Well I am going to devise some heavy things to bash around on her sides next! |
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Post by shirlnjazz on Sept 8, 2006 8:13:56 GMT -1
Gill what can I say, you have really done so much with Olivia from her beginnings so keep positive now, the ridden part will come eventually, it sounds as though she is just a very sensitive girl. You know Olivia best and what the moo says is a great idea but if Olivia is extra sensitive rather than just plain naughty/stubborn then I wouldnt do the scary tied on person thing. It is a fantastic way of backing some and also safer lol but with sensitve ones I wouldnt want to frighten them and take 3 steps back. Im not slating your idea Moo I know it works as I know people who have done it and it is great and Gill you know Olivia best as to whether to go for it |
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Post by The Moo on Sept 8, 2006 8:36:31 GMT -1
Just thinking about it again, was Anna sitting up, some ponies get paniced by how taaalllllll the rider is whereas when you lean over their backs you are still very close to them, like a cuddle.
shirlmisty, no probs, while I would put the boots on some trousers I am not sure I would actually do it to Olivia, lol.
Gill knows what is best and will work through things in the best way for her and her pony.
Somebody once suggested a blow up doll but I won't even go there!!!! ROFLMAO
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Post by greydales on Sept 8, 2006 12:55:46 GMT -1
Somebody once suggested a blow up doll but I won't even go there!!!! ROFLMAO ROFL ;D Male or female? I had given it a thought believe me! Don't want to give Dave ideas though ... ;D Someone I know who had a very sensitive Morgan tied a HUGE teddy bear to its back! It was okay with the teddy but not with the rider lol! Yes Anna was sitting up but I stand on a chair next to Olivia when I groom her back for that very reason, so she gets used to someone tall over her. When Anna got on she was leaning forwards at first but then did sit up slowly - Olivia was looking round at her and didn't bat an eyelid. |
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Sept 8, 2006 19:04:34 GMT -1
There is an old guy near us who used to have a 'body with legs' (thats the best way I can describe it!) LOL that he fastened to the saddle when breaking, it had quite a bit of weight to it too.
I think ponies can be fine with the weight on their back, but then when they move their feet and the weight moves it can panic them - Like eveyone says - just keep at it Gill - she will be ok in the end.
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Post by Debbie on Sept 8, 2006 23:05:45 GMT -1
ROFL... A blow up doll?? LOL...I don't think I wanna go there with the visuals  Alison does bring up a valid point with the younger ponies, though. Some of them certainly panic when the rider's weight shifts. They do have a lot on their plate, trying to refind their center of balance, and relearning how to walk under it. Its like when you give someone a shoulder ride. You have to be oh so careful when you're walking because if you walk too far out of balance, you feel like you're going to fall on your face! Add to that a pony with a strong flight reflex, and I can easily see the jockey going out the sidedoor.... LOL... I'd imagine she'd be great for longreining and driving Gill, but colour me paranoid when it comes to driving ;D I felt safe as at home on a sofa with Oliver and Lorraine, but I can easily see why people want their horses and ponies to be 150% trustworthy before hopping into the buggy. Hard to believe that used to be the mode of transportation! |
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well we shall see, I will only do it if I feel its right. Meanwhile she is going to get a lot of longlining and general inhand work, as she is responding so well.
I think you're about the only one that could have tackled Olivia. Afterall, she's amazingly sensitive....and that sensitivity will pay off big time in responsiveness and certainly presence once she's under saddle. 
