It is so much better if you get the chance to familiarise any horse, at any age to accept traffic . The younger the better.

As a foal at foot it is perfect to have them in a field very close to moving traffic….the busier the better. As most people tend to hide their youngstock away in idyllic quiet and calm paddocks, away from the hubub of modern life it can come as quite a shock later on. I realise that it is sometimes not possible to have this chance so you have to then make your own chances. I stand my mares and foals at the end of my drive so that all the passing traffic comes and goes as normal but the mare and foal are safe. The foal gets to no longer worry about the noise and the sudden appearence of double decker buses, lorries, vans, motor bikes and cars. Making the point of being in that same position on a few wet days. This is such a good idea because it exposes the foal to increased road noise. General traffic on wet roads are really noisy.

I am lucky because I have a plant hire business on site which is simply perfect for acclimatising young horses to the shear size of these large vehicles as well as all their coming and goings. I stand them up to diggers and tractors regularly so that they become bored or investigate the smell, feel and size all for themselves.

Once any horse is starting to relax in these situations then walking out in hand is the next stage. I keep someone walking between the young horse and the traffic…usually on or near the white line . This person becomes the buffer to keep both the horse safe from the close proximity of the vehicles as well as keeping the traffic safe from an unpredictable young horse. It is very important that this lead person makes the point of thanking drivers as good curtusy.

Spending valuable time in this way is simply worth its weight in gold in the long run. There is little pleasure in ridding a traffic nervous horse out on our increasingly busy roads…always worrying about what might appear round the corner and how best to find an escape route….or being haunted by what may loom up behind!

Constant voice commands as well as praise is always important so that the horse in hand gets positive reinforcement all the time. Patience and repetition is the key. Although this ethos is time consuming and requires tremendous patience it is an investment worth doing for a lifetime of pleasure to be had from both horse and rider. Confident horses are simply the best.

Please click here to view a previous case of traffic training with a young horse (Jester)

Hi I have brought a young mare 5 year old very green think only been back this summer taken her out first time and kicked the horse behind but not that close though and second time car went pass slow and kicked side of the three times what should I do thanks becky

Melanie’s Response:

Hi Rebecca.

Thank you for your email.

KICKING OUT AT ANYTHING TOO CLOSE….This is quite a problem and is sometimes hard to fix. She cannot cope with being hemmed in and as such kicks to distance herself from what she considers is too close for comfort.

To kick out at company horses whilst out riding or cars that are too close will inevitably lead to injuries and no friends!

Try a hormone settling product as this may just be a mare-ish trait and her body may need some help to become less reactive. This can make a huge difference…HORMONISE is good. (liquid Chaste Berry) by the Animal health Company.

In extreme cases I have gone down intensive de-sensitising programmes……where eventually  we can lunge horses with huge plastic bags/weighted blankets/plastic bottles on top, which flap round their hind legs etc and they no longer feel the need to kick out. ( You must NOT try this at home because it is only as an end result  of a great deal of work prior. It is just that we slowly but surely invade the mares space with objects which touch and cause the same reaction….the lunging only comes after a lot of associated ground work.) We NEVER frighten them as this would compound the problem.

She  cannot have much confidence in herself and has an inability to make contact without feeling a need to protect herself. She may well have been badly bullied in her past or is simply naturally very dominant.

Is she aggressive out in the field and does she have a close friend who she lets come in close for mutual grooming? Probably not, or else only on her terms.

Build her confidence with other horses by familiarisation ….lots of riding with others but slightly apart. Make her want to keep up and catch up.

Keep a red ribbon on her tail so that it reminds others to give her space. Avoid the collecting ring as she is not safe enough to be put in that closed environment yet.

Join group lessons or a riding club where she becomes part of a gang! Bit by bit she will learn to relax as it all becomes more familiar and not so intimidating.

Good luck.
Kind regards

Melanie

Zoe from Lincolnshire asks Melanie:

Hello Melanie, I’ve stumbled across your website after searching for local natural horsemanship lessons.  I have recently taken a lovely pony on loan, she is a cob with a hint of Arab(!) which makes her sensitive and spooky.  I’ve been riding a long time but am no expert – I would love to create a parelli/MR type relationship with my mare so that we could do groundwork together that would enable her to relax when we ride and become less spooky.

She is kept in North Somercotes near Louth in Lincolnshire – I have limited travel options at the moment, could you let me know if you would be interested in spending some time with Misty and I to get a great grounding in these techniques?

I look forward to hearing from you, thanks Zoe

Melanie’s Response:

Hi Zoe. I will happily come over for a day to work with you both…..or you could come here, either with or without your horse, for a day.
Come the summer you could bring your horse and keep her here for a few days and have a thoroughly horsey few days. You would work with other horses for part of the time . See what you think. Kind regards Melanie

Phyllis from West Yorkshire asks:

My husband and I bought a 7 yr old 15.3hh Warmblood x Lippizaner in Feb 09. We have been told he is more like a 4 year old. Soon after we bought him he got an infection on his sheath. He spent a week at Ledston Equine Clinic and lost loads of weight.

Long story but we were then told that he had a bad back which has been treated but we have been told that my husband (14 stone approx) is too heavy to ride him. I am a 60 yr old novice rider with a confidence problem. I’m finding it difficult to carry out the training myself, especially during the winter months. I use the small indoor school at the livery yard and although he is quite well behaved but to be honest on occasions he scares me.

He is stabled full time at the moment and turned out with another horse for brief exercise in the outdoor school. With the weather the way it is at the moment, would it be best for me to wait until spring to arrange training with you as I feel it may be difficult for me to carry on with
the training whilst he is as lively as he is at the moment?

Melanie’s Response

Hi there Phyllys. Happy New Year. I could not agree more in your stopping working your horse. It is an impossible time of year at the best of times without having a horse that pressures you on top. There is much to gain and very little to lose, in waiting for the conditions to become consistently more favorable.

I have , for my part, stopped working 2 of my youngsters. They are not suited to being picked up and put back down again. There fore the wise choice is to simply wait. That way I have not created problems or tensions by trying to keep them in work. I do hope I have been of some help. Do not let anyone tell you that you have made the wrong choice. We all choose what is right for us.

All my horses go out for virtually the whole day……that way I keep them all sensible. All I can advise is as much turn out as poss and the least amount of time stood in. My 5 year old is now turned out full time (as of last week). I am not cruel; she is well fed, well rugged and has the permanent company of the others that live out full time. Everyone needs to remember that a horse is a horse at the end of the day and extremely well equipped

Anna from Buckinghamshire asks Melanie:

“Hello, I have recently been having troubles with my horse Spider. He is normally very uneasy in his canter and charges at the jumps. I think he was broken to drive a cart, but he has only had 3 owners. The girl before us mainly used him for competitons and what my instructor calls a ‘typical teenagers pony’ And thinks he was potentially just jumped too high and fast. And the lady who had him before we were not told much about, but that she bred himWhat could i do to help him? – Anna ”

Melanie’s Response

Hi there Anna. Happy New Year.

Your instructor is most probably right in her assessment of your horse. Quite how much difference can be made at this stage is down to you.
Your instructor has most probably started trotting pole work and grid work with you. That is the way forward. Patience on your part alongside repetition.

Learn how to use the passoa and train endless canter transitions using that once you have your horse working happily in it. All this takes time and patience on your part but you can train this horse of yours out of these old habits by being methodical. I sell a training dvd on how to use the passoa properly. It explains everything you need to know and do with it to get it right.

I do hope I have been of some help.
Kind regards Melanie Watson

Kimberly from Leicestershire asks:

Hello I am just making enquiries and looking for some advice I have recently bought a 2 year old colt, he has been gelded and is a very kind natured horse, he is calm and easy to handle, he is a pure bred Spanish horse, someone has told me that when he reaches 3 years old I will have to send him away for breaking in for riding, I can not bear the thought of it he is like my child I spend hours a day just loving and caring for him I can not imagine being apart from him for even a day.

I do not know what to do about this I know it is a little way off yet as he is only 2 but I keep thinking about how quickly the years go, is there anything that could help me without sending him away your advice would be most grateful.
Thank you Kimberley

Melanie’s Response

Hello Kimberley. I am a little confused here. When you bought a youngster, how did you envisage getting him trained when the time came? Do you think that all trainers are cruel or harsh?

It is a very important thing for your horse to be sent to a good trainer for him to be started. You must not do this yourself, as you are too close to him. The first thing that will happen will be for the trainer to get rid of all the bad habits that you have allowed him to develop. He is very likely to be in trouble for things you have allowed by treating him like he is a baby or puppy… he is a horse.

Please, your horse does not need a best friend; he needs you to be his leader. Kind, calm and firm. He is a horse at the end of the day and not, as I have seen so much in the past, a horse ruined by being perceived as a child replacement.

It is right and proper for your horse to experience new worlds in his time. That way he will develop confidence and gain pleasure in all that he comes across in life. Hide him away and he will always fear the unknown and that is both wrong and greatly unfair on him. He has a future ahead of him where he needs to stand tall and be seen, not shy away in fear of anything new or strange. You will think I am being harsh but I am being very true and fair…. please don’t take any of this the wrong way… gain from what I am telling you.

My sincere best wishes Melanie

A question from Debbie, Berkshire.

Hi Melanie. I am 40 yrs old and have been riding since aged 5 yrs, I have had a 5 yr break to have my kids and bought an ex racehorse in September this yr. He’s adorable, 23 races and retired 3 yrs ago with a tendon injury. He’s quite well mannered but has a few problems and I am scared of doing the wrong thing, so wondered if you could advise me a little.
Putting the bridle on is a problem, I have to bribe him with a polo mint to bring his head down he throws his head really high and threatens to rear up.

I have ridden him approx 3 times per wk up until about 2 wks ago, due to bad weather and my kids being poorly, so he wont get much riding over the Christmas period until kids back at school. He is stabled and I put him on the walker once a week and he has 1/2 hr run in the field and maybe 1 session lunge work per week at the moment. He throws his head a lot even when I ride him and when I watch back his races on the track he also did this, he is in a snaffle and no extras. He is stubborn, he pretends he doesn’t know how to walk or trot, we have tried following another horse in the school, it helped a bit, but I cant get him to canter!

I have been doing natural horsemanship with him, so lots on the ground, he follows me, and sometimes charges at me and stops at the last minute a bit scary…. I haven’t ridden him out on the road yet, as I am a bit concerned that he and me are not ready, I also think I may need a stronger bit. I don’t know if you can help I was looking at your courses but in Newbury Berks – along way from you. Do you have any advice or maybe a training planner I can use, so I have goals and targets that I need to achieve with him. My aim is to dressage him, as when he does trot he is lovely and bouncy, he is 8 yrs old. Any help would be much appreciated

Thank you, Debbie

Melanie’s Response:

Hello Debbie. Thank you for your email. I have lots of ideas to help you…too much to put down on here.

Please give me a ring on 07720758425 anytime and I will be very happy to talk you through a training plan. All that you are experiencing is very common to the type and his past life.

Please do not put a stronger bit in him. He is already in fear of his mouth. There is much I can help you do.
Speak soon. Kind regards Melanie.

(ps. read through my blog posts… there is a lot on the subject of help with ex racers.)

Natasha from Surrey asks Melanie

“I’ve got a nearly 5 year old tb mare. She didn’t had a good time in the racing yard. She puts her ears back on anything (it is better now then it was 6 month ago) she also bites. She just bites after everybody who walks past when she’s in the stable. I really do love her and I want her to stop that and enjoy her self. She’s aright when she’s tacked up she even puts her head on my chest and wants a cuddle. Please can you help me and my mare?”

Natasha.

Melanie’s Response

“Hi Natasha, thank you for your email. Your mare bites out of habit stemming from a time where she felt she had to defend herself. Life has not always been kind to her most probably. Some mares, on the other hand, are very dominant and habitually bite as a role play in being in charge of you and what they consider to be their space.

I would really claim to be able to stop your mare from biting forever in 1 days work. During this day we will turn your relationship right round to where she looks to you as her leader and a really safe place to be.

You would have a great day with plenty of laughs and smiles as well as the serious side.”

Melanie

Vanessa from Cumbria asks Melanie:

“I am having problems with my 20mth old Warmblood colt (Fernando). I believe the problem is there because my colt had been ‘hand-reared’ (his dam died before he even had the chance to suckle from her).

I purchased him at 7mths old and the problems began at about 1 year old.  I myself use Natural Horsemanship and I indeed used my knowledge with my colt, but it seemed to have no response to him whatsoever, and he simply became more and more out of control.  His actions include ‘nipping’, ‘charging’ and ‘rearing’.  In the end I sent him away for some intensive work as I wanted to Show Him and attend Young stock Evaluations as I bought him to keep entire and breed from him.  When he came back he was a lot better but there was a ‘whip’ involved and during the handover I was told to “always keep the whip in his eye line, and don’t feel guilty for using it if he tried it on”.  On his return he was definitely improved but we always had to be ‘one step ahead’, anyways he had a accident ‘got his back leg over the bottom of the electric fence and cut the front of his back OS Hock) 1 week before his Evaluations.

So we treated his leg, rested him appropriately and then turned him away for 2 months. The day quickly came around for us to start working with him again, all we do is a little walk out in hand (10mins) and lunging (5mins in walk & trot), on the occasion Fernando was extremely aggressive and he kept challenging my partner, definitely not out of confusion as he knows how to lunge on both sides, and indeed had lunged as expected for a couple of minutes, but then he seemed to just wanted confrontation, the 8th confrontation he got the better of my partner and reared up and then charged at him with his head back and ‘decked’ him (in fact hospitalised him).

So then I tried the tactic of COMPLETELY IGNORING him, of which I did and Fernando’s attitude completely changed, he was respectful, walked up to us with his head low and things finally were on ‘the up’…. But 2 days ago he started again, and is so bad that I cant even lead him to turn him out, or even get in the stable to change his water, rugs, hay-nets without him trying to bite and trying to barge me out of the way at the door. Please can you help?”

Melanie’s Response

Hello Vanessa. Interesting email from you. One for me to really get my teeth into!

Unfortunately my first thought is how unsuitable the basic nature of your horse is to ultimately become an entire or future-covering stallion. They don’t all make it that far, by any means, for the very real reasons you are talking of. Think 2 years further on down the line when he is under saddle and you are starting to ask real questions…. not merely manners, as is the case just now.

Once he covers (which you must never do until he is trained and doing a job) will he be able to relax working and cover when required?. On the face of it just now then I think not.

Sadly my words of wisdom as seen from outside of your box , will not be what you want to hear.  I feel that your boy has a strong and very dominant character and will somehow always be in trouble for feeling how he feels naturally… simply because it does not suit our dreamed of plans.

Look at Winnie Jackson. He had a miserable life as a dressage stallion abroad. When he was completely sick and virtually un-ride-able he ended up with Malcome Pyrah to try show jumping. Same thing till they finally cut him…now he jumps for the Irish team.(hopefully happy)

We had a 4 year old here last year…So out of control, angry, dangerous, huge (16.3), strong and impossible. Sure we changed his way of being and he became more settled and easier BUT as a career dressage horse he had to be cut…. (.not long after he left me) not because I had failed in any way but because his life was always going to be miserable because he could not help feeling the way he felt naturally. He was always in trouble and found it so hard to work and concentrate as needed and expected. He is now being groomed, hidden away from public glare, for the London Olympics. (Hopefully happy)

Sorry for telling it how I see it . I will be very happy to help you guys BUT just think on 1 or 2 or 3 years down the line…… How trainable is he if he stays entire? How will he ever find pleasure in simply being alive?

Please don’t feel that I am choosing the easy path, I’m not. Saying all this to you is extremely hard but I need you to think on and be completely honest with your selves.

If you feel that I am wrong then I will concede happily and help all I can.

My fantastically bred horse Yorkie was bought to event… He turned out to be agoraphobic! Not helpful. I tried for 2 years (and a huge amount of money I hasten to add!!)! It did not suit my plans to fail. How ever he is now working at Advanced Medium and I show jump 1.20m with ease. NOT MY ORIGINAL PLAN!!!!!!! But he is happy all safe in an arena!

Please get back to me when you feel you can. I will support you any way I can.

Kind regards Melanie

Carol from Lancashire asks

“I have just imported a 2yr Pre Andalusia Colt just turned 2yrs 15/06/09 from Spain he his very calm and well mannered in the stable I am just getting him used to me being around he will tie up while I muck out around him picking his feet up he is getting used to his rug he loves being brushed he has stopped trying to nip me now, I am really pleased with him in the stable he will lunged but I am not doing too much with him.

The problem I am having is walking him on the halter he has not had much halter training he tends to drag me not as much going out to the paddock but going back to his stable, I don’t seem to have much control, with him being around 15.1 and I am only 5.4 I am finding it hard he tends to go in front of me and ends up with his head and neck in front of me and I am having to keep stopping to move him over I was wondering if one of your rope halters would work and how do you use them?

I am hoping to keep him entire as he has such good breeding and I am hoping to do dressage with him and any advise would be much appreciated I live in Wigan Lancs .I am hoping to get him professional broke, I have had lots of experience with horses been riding 40yrs and broke two of my own horse in but Charlie is different I want to compete on him as my others have just been ponies for hacking my gelding was 24 when I had to have him but to sleep 5yrs ago Megan my Mare is 9yrs old I have had her from being born she is a brill hack hope you can help me as I don’t want him to know he can just run over me. Looking forward to hearing from you”

Melanie’s Response

Hello there Carol. Thank you for your email.

Your young horse sounds wonderful and I can see why you would chose to keep him entire for choice.

He is a real candidate for the rope halter training and you will bless the day you learnt it, as he gets older and more mature! This training is perfect to both produce and keep complete respect for you as handler and keeps you as his herd leader forever. (Such help when there is Testosterone floating about!)

I will happily come over for a day and work with you both. When I leave you will be fully armed and 100% confident in all aspects his further development. He will be respectful and in complete attention when you have hold of him.

Send me your postcode and I will let you know how much your bespoke training will be. I have just been to West Yorkshire to turn a very wayward and dangerous colt round. The results are fantastic.

Kind regards Melanie Watson.

Lisa from Norfolk asks:

“Gosh where to start! I bought my 14.3 seven-year-old mare in July after careful consideration, as she is a mother daughter share. She was born at previous home so obviously very relaxed there, since been moved to a new yard she has now become un-rideable, she naps badly even getting her away from the barn is impossible, I have had her teeth done, sharp points were found but since the teeth were sorted she has got worse, I have bought a new fitted saddle which I am still waiting for, the plan was to go back to basics and long rein which was going well. She throws her head forward yanking you out of the saddle. This stopped with the long reining for a time, last week when long reining in the school she spooked and bolted I let go thinking she won’t go far but she jumped the 5 bar gate and went back to the barn.

Now long reining has become a battle she gets so angry she bites the grass! Sick of been told to sell her for about £200 (I paid £2500) suggested to my daughter we sell her and she cried for 2 days till I said we will try and sort her out, I think she is scared and don’t want to fight her all the time, have done join up with a dually which went well, she also tries to bite me when being groomed and cinching up girth, really don’t know what to try I waited 20 years to have another horse and seem to be living in a nightmare, any advice would be great, thanks.

Lisa.”

Melanie’s Response

Hello there Lisa. Thank you for your email.

Your pony is suffering from separation anxiety. All that was safe and familiar to her has gone. She only feels safe when she is back at the stables with the other horses. There she has made bonds.

However she has not bonded and does not feel safe with you or your younger daughter as yet despite your best efforts. It is all a matter of relationship building. If she felt that you were a safe place to be then she would happily be where ever you are…ditto your daughter.

This pony has been badly affected by this move (total upheaval in her eyes), which has happened to her, not because of her. That is the way of their world, the choice is not theirs to make. Most cope fairly well.

Yours must be a little fragile in her make up which is why she has not adjusted well and is now manifesting itself in violent behavior. All she wants to do is feel safe and protected.

I think the best way forward is for me to come down there and work with you all in your own environment for a day. That way I can change how you all feel about each other, your relationship with the pony is the most important one to harvest.

Then I can start to change the way your pony feels, thinks and reacts in and around her “home”. She will let go of her fears and look more to you for leadership. If you send her off for re-schooling now then this still does not sort out the issues at home or the way you all feel about each other.

Have a think and let me know.

Kind regards Melanie

Vicky from East Riding School has asked the following:

“Just recently my 19yr old TBx (Garth) has seemed a bit depressed, he has become very clingy to people whilst he is in the field & stable and seems to stand at the gate all day waiting to come in yet he is not cold and there is grass available. He is eating and the vet has had a quick look and didnt find anything wrong. Is he feeling his age and should i fully retire him or should i continue to take him out hacking? He doesn’t like being in the field by himself so he goes out in the field with my 2 youngsters could this be part of the problem?”

Melanie’s Response

Hi Vicky. How nice to hear from you.

I hope your dad was ok after his lesson.!!!! Your old boy is most certainly feeling his age. He simply does not want to be in a wet cold field all day any more. No doubt he would be happier doing less time out and more time in…though this is not really always a good thing. If he is happy hacking then great, keep going.

The more active he is the better for his overall well being…. he may disagree! You are not doing anything wrong with him in general. If he could have just the morning out then he may be happier. Not always possible I realise!

Keep in touch.
Kind regards Melanie

Hi, I have a Mare who was given to me as she was going to be shot by her previous owners because they couldn’t load her (polo players who had no time for her and couldn’t sell and unloadable horse!). I don’t know the reason she stopped loading but i suspect she had a fall early in her life in a lorry (she is only rsing 6 now). She is lovely in all other respects (although a typical flightly tb!) I am slowly building up trust with her and have started being able to take her on short journeys etc, but would like an expert to come in for a period of time to work with us to just make sure everything is heading on the right track and to try to work through her tension when loading anywhere apart from home (getting her on at home is easy it is getting her back on once we have been somewhere that will prove a challenge). She will make a lovely PC pony for someone if only I can get this cracked. Do you do call outs to yards? If so how much do you charge working alongside me and my ho
rse?
Hi Alex. You have just asked me to do my favourite job!!

I will happily come down for a day to spend with you both. She will be very happy in that space and maybe putting herself in by herself too. You will learn a whole new way of thinking and in turn, will improve your relationship as a result. Its such a fab process to see your horse putting all her fears away and grow in both understanding and confidence.

We do this in 3 sessions as a rule.We need to get the ground work done so that we can test it by travelling some where to play, then you load her easily to come home. A dastardly plan!

Sarah Has sent me this problem.
hi. i have just recieved 2 5 month old foals yesterday and to be truthful dont know where to start with halter training. i have never had foals before and have only had experience with my 2 shetlands. any advise would be much appreciated.
thanks.

The first step is  obviously getting a halter on them in the first place, which wants to fit them comfortably. They may have to live in them for a while depending on how unhandled they are. If they haven`t been tied up before then this is one of the most important steps in any horse`s life. They must accept being restrained in this way. Done quietly and with care, this procedure  does n`t have to be too traumatic. They will pull and tug…DO NOT LET THEM BREAK FREE. (unless its an emergency) It will not take them long to accept this but it requires patience and time from the owner to achieve the result. Daily tiying up is essential in the early days and so is their whole  routine in general. Loads of quiet handleing, brushing, leading around in general inc next to traffic etc. When you let them go in the gate way of the field, have them turn to face you before you release them. All these little things help create a peaceful future and happy horses. Have fun and good luck. Keep me posted with progress!

Dianne asked me this question.

In May I  purchased a cobxtrotter 5 year gelding. aged 4 he was in an accident on the road in driving trap. This has obviously left him very traumatised and he was turned away in a field for six months although he had an injury to his muscles in his groin (which were not dealt with at the time but he has now been treated by a horse sports therapy lady as he was one-tenth lame so he is not now in pain and sound and beginning gradual straight line work. He was backed to ride in Jan 2009 by the lady I bought him from. He is friendly, likes people and is good to hack alone, company, no problem to mount up and not nervous of rider in the saddle. He had two panic attacks with me on him, started off by noises behind him. He bolted and bucked until I came off on both occasions.  He has panic attacks. Can you advise if he can get over this traumatic experience.

When I get horses it to retrain after traffic accidents or that are terrified of certain things like tractors ,then we go about it by reversing  the pressure.  The panic/flight mode which is deeply instilled in any horse comes to the fore at momments of fright or perceived fear. All horses will instinctively turn and run away from the noise, image or imagined threat. If your horse lacks self confidence in any way then even the armour-plated,Teradactyl type sparrow may cause an unexpected shy or threat to bolt. This inturn can frighten the rider, who will most probably react badly themselves…..usually by grabbing the reins(causing an afirmation for the fear)… this is usually an instinctive reaction from the rider too. Can you start to see a pattern imerge? No one is at fault here. The rider has to do whatever they can to gain control back.

We work our horses through the natural system ground work to gain their respect and their trust. Next we start to set up scenario`s which will potentially cause the flight response. We get the horse to face the fear and take 1 step towards it…at the same time the “fear” itself will move away. The more the horse gains confidence towards the object or noise, the more it moves away.  The horse ends up feeling empowered because it has faced the fear and pushed or chased it away! We then build on this over the days to real life situations. Always praising the horse for making the right decisions. This method anyone can do at home but please feel free to ring me for advise before you attempt this  at home.

I have this question from Eilidh.

“Hi there, i am having some problems with my 5 year old dutch warmblood. I have had him nearly two years now and he has come on leaps and bounds since he arrived. However i find that these days we seem to be hitting a wall! He is generally a calm horse on hacks or in the school but has lately become cockier. His first and only show we went to a year ago was a nightmare. he looked around excitedly and a moment later he had reared up over backwards damagin both our egos.”

I do a mixture of lunging, schooling and hacking to try to keep things interesting. I ideally would like to do some showjumping and a little dressage. the problem is that he can out of the blue be very boysterous and be hard to control. I am finding it hard to teach him to come onto the bit and to stop running with his face in the air.

He also is finding it hard to understand the concept of schooling calmy and can at times be very overpowering. I am thinking of sending him to a professional for some extra work but have no idea of the implication or costs of this.
Can you help us at all? Thanks for listening!

 
Well…where to start!! Given the information you have offered up I would have to say that this young horse  does not see you as his leader just now. It is time that his energy was directed into something he really enjoys.. eg jumping. It is very hard not to make a real issue out of a problem sometimes. The art of knowing what to do and when. Because this horse is starting to flex his adult muscles ,so to speak, I would advise that you seeked professional help. 2 weeks away with a very good trainer will bring him back into attention and put some new respect rules into place.

That gives the trainer enough time to learn to understand your horses` strenghts and weaknesses and find how to channel them. The horse should be more established in the basic work and be feeling confident in himself and this new role!!! The 3rd week is about getting you 2 back together as a team..Very, very important that you give your self that time to learn what has been done and how to do it yourself.

You will not have done anything wrong up to this point. Just like children, horses mature and get stroppy. Try not to be his beast friend . Dont put up with a lack of respect from him. Keep his attention and dont resort to pain or violence,. That, like children, will make him angry with you…not respectful.

 
I`ve had a question form Jodie….
I Have a 11year old mare tbx, 16.1hh. we think she has done point to point before, or racings, as she will not school andd she always jogs. it has got to a stage where i cant school her because its a big circle, soon as i give the rein she bombs and when i take she fights. is there anthing i can try to help me to be able to school my horse, and have a good walk trot and canter, because everything i do she just wants to bomb around!!! thankyou

Jodie`s problem is a very common one. There are 1000`s of ex racehorses out in the public domain because they are sold so cheaply when their racing career finishes. These horses do not have any basic training for this new life they have found them selves in. They have no streering, balance, bend or brakes. They blow up with stress and lose all rational thought at times.

We start retraining these horses on the ground. We use the natural approach to calm them down and allow them to let go of stress. That way they can learn to think things thro and start to make decisions. They are then immediately nothing like as dangerous. We teach them to bend and stretch both latitudinally and longitudinally. We teach them how to be calm in halt by ground tieing them (A mental not a physical tie up ) We teach them to lunge in the PESSOA set long and low , to teach them to use all their top line muscles for the very first time. The PESSOA  is a great place for all you owners to start. Used correctly it will do nothing but good. I have a training step by step guide in the use of the PESSOA on video available on my site. How to fit it, use it and when to increase its degree of difficulty. I have gone out of my way to produce this so that the help is out there for everyone who has a similar struggle.

Starting by usung the PESSOA will give your horse voice commands, rythem, balance without the weight of the rider to contend with and start to give longitudinal stretch. A great place to start!!!!

Here’s a question from Emma:

“I’m wondering if you could help me? I’m 16 and a year and a half ago i bought an ex-racehorse. Merlin (the ex racer) seemed calm and happy so i loan him and he proved to be a handful but i thought i could handle it. His ok now but still very afraids of coloured poles and all types of jumps – especially puddles? can you help? he will lead over them but jumping is another matter for him.

Also he isn’t head shy but gets very wound up if you go to touch his ears? i was also wonddering if you could give me any tips for when i ride him – as in canter he gets faster so i give half halts then he gets faster then see’s something and starts to freak over nothing. His not uncontrolable but it makes me so frustrated that i know he can do it but he just misbehaves because he feels like it. Please help. thankyou Emma x”

Ex race horses do not understand the basic rules with which an ordinary riding horse would know and perform. They have no conception of patience and calm acceptance in certain circumstances….ie coming home or waiting quietly at a road junction. They are rigidly straight and have no understanding of flexion, both longitudinally and laterally.

Unless they are properly retrained and these new rules put in , then they continue to stress and show erratic and sometimes dangerous behaviour. The natural way of training is so good in this type horse as it puts in the ability to think. If your horse can think then it is letting go of pent up stress and is starting to make decisions that are done rationally.

I’ve had a question from Adeline in Northern Ireland. Adeline asks:

“I have an young horse who is 2 years and 4 months.  I have been told by several people that he is too young to be broke in.  Is this true and if so what is the appropriate age?”

Hi Adeline. Good question. As a rule you would think about starting to formaly work a youngster at 3 years old. How ever , the more handleing you do with them before , the better. Leadind out in traffic for example. Washing them and generally doing things which will so apply later on. Your horse may not be mature enough to cope with all the lunging and mental concentration before that point.

Cara Asks:

I have a horse on loan who I’ve had for about 3 months. She has always been at the same yard and has always been tricky to catch in the field. However in recent months the problem had got worse. She will not allow you close to her, even if you are carrying treats and if you do step close to her she becomes violent and will lunge out, kick, rear and charge at you. When you managed to get hold of her she simply runs away, and she is strong and hard to hold on to. We have tried different approaches with little success. Although once she is in from the field, she is perfect in every way. Any advice is gratefully received.

Hello Cara, thank you for your question. Fundamental changes need to be made in your daily routine. A good place to start is to restrict her area of turnout i.e very small area with electric fencing. Leave a 10 or 15 foot long rope attached to her head collar. When you want to catch her you can quietly get hold of the piece of rope. She will resent this at first and probably try to run away but you will be able to consistently keep hold or re-catch her without any fuss. She will work out that you have the advantage and you’ll be in a better position to praise her and make her feel comfortable. By repeating this process you will empower yourself where she presently has the upper-hand.

You have to start somewhere with this horse, and this is as good a place to start as any. By daily repetition your horse will start to feel less threatened and not feel the need to be so defensive. If she doesn’t feel the need to attack you then her violence will subside and you’ll be winning.

Question:
My horse is impossible to catch. He runs away from me and I have to use food. This can cause a problem with the other horses.

Melanie’s Answer:
Out in the field is the only place your horse is free to have power over you!

Make a point of going into the field NOT to catch him. As you get near him send him away from you like you are not just interested in him. Play him at his own game. Walk past him, go beyond him and keep sending him away.

When you see that this is simply not the fun it used to be for him, his expression will change. Watch out for his ear nearest you to drop sideways. When this happens he may well be caught. Turn your back on him and rustle a packet of polos! if at this point he comes to you don’t turn to face him. He will come along sideways. Give him a polo and walk away from him. Chances are he’ll follow you.

DONT always go in to catch him. Play this game, reverse the pressure that he puts on you. Having 8 inches of rope hanging from his head collar is really useful because you don’t then feel the need to grab his head. This bit of rope will fall into your hand you have caught him quietly.

Question:
My horse won’t load into my trailer, he is not frightened, just really stubborn!

Melanie’s answer:
The age old problem! You need some professional help. The natural technique that I use cures the problem by changing both you and horse’s way of thinking. All confrontation is taken away.

Your horse must respect you and want to go where you go. It all comes down to relationship, comfort and mutual respect at the end of the day. I bet the trailer isn’t the only issue you two have together.

Fear of the trailer and claustrophobia is another issue altogether. Ring me and we can talk it though.

Question:
My horse gets his tongue over the bit when I ride. What can I do about this?

Melanie’s Answer:

First stop – get a professional dentist to check his teeth. Your horse is showing an evasion in his mouth. Somewhere along the line he has not been well handled by a rider or has had a too severe bit in to the point where he has sought comfort by pulling his tongue back.

Youngsters being broken in try this tactic sometimes and the trainers must stop this habit quickly or it becomes established. Try riding in a bit-less bridle for a while if you feel that your hands are soft enough. The change may do him some good.

There are rubber tongue guards in saddle shops that you could experiment with. Going back to basics is always a good thing like lunging in a bungee rein over his pull, through the bit and attached to the girth between his legs.

This should help him lower his head softly and encourage a head carriage whereby the bit just hangs quietly in his mouth and he carries the weight of his own head himself – not through the rider’s hands.

This is a common problem with ex Race Horses who have never been given a chance to except the bit and where the training has been stressful.

Question:
What can I do to be safe out riding during the gloomy winter months?

Melanie’s Answer:
Always wear high visibility clothing. There are loads of products on the market like High-visibility Jackets, Vests, Leggings etc for the rider.

Again, there are loads of products for your horse to wear from Rugs to florescent boots and tail covers. All this helps drivers of cars to see you out on the roads in murky daylight.

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