Training of BSS Forever- 4 year old Anglo Arabian Stallion Completed
Forever is a show jumping prospect with a severe problem. According to his owner, Annisty Brightside, he is fearful towards humans, is difficult to approach, and groom. Oddly enough he has no issues once the rider is in the saddle. He was born and raised on Brightside Stables and has no history of trauma or mistreatment. It's possible that his behavior could be hereditary. Arabians and Thoroughbreds are known to be sensitive, so it is not unlikely that hyper sensitivity had been passed down to him genetically.
Our plan is to work on desensitizing him towards humans. Not expecting him to change his personality overnight we will gradually teach him that touching is nothing to be avoided.
Our plan is to work on desensitizing him towards humans. Not expecting him to change his personality overnight we will gradually teach him that touching is nothing to be avoided.
What we usually do with a new horse is make sure it has everything it needs to be satisfied. In Forever's case it was difficult fulfilling the basic needs, because he was impossible to catch. We had to leave a halter with a lead rope on him all the time just so we could grab him. Giving him daily pasture time, like all our stallions, was unfortunately out of the question. We would have to avoid chasing him down, and any other activity to drain some energy would involve us touching him. So he would have to bite the sour apple and stay in his pen at first, which of course did not help his attitude.
He would have to allow us to walk up to him and grab the rope before we could take any further steps.
On the first day he was quickly cornered by three of us, rope grabbed and led out without much fuss. We could not work with him in the open paddocks because our other stallions were all too curious about what was going on and would not be quiet.
Training took place in the riding hall. We set up gates to form a small enclosure and set him lose. All Clay did was walk around ignoring him, although he did try to keep his distance a bit since Forever was ready to bolt. Clay made sure no one would enter the hall to distract them, Forever was forced to entertain himself with Clay.
As the days progressed Clay started encouraging interaction. He kept a few treats in his pocket, although he knew the stallion would not dare sacrifice his personal space for food. His priorities were clear.
Eventually the day came when Clay could walk past the stallion. It felt as if Forever was thinking it was the most normal thing in the world, as if he had always been like this and wondered why Clay seemed surprised. Clay was ecstatic but kept calm, he did not try to pet him or feed him a treat. Composed he grabbed the rope and led the stallion back to his home, where he was greeted with fresh hay and some treats on the ground.
He would have to allow us to walk up to him and grab the rope before we could take any further steps.
On the first day he was quickly cornered by three of us, rope grabbed and led out without much fuss. We could not work with him in the open paddocks because our other stallions were all too curious about what was going on and would not be quiet.
Training took place in the riding hall. We set up gates to form a small enclosure and set him lose. All Clay did was walk around ignoring him, although he did try to keep his distance a bit since Forever was ready to bolt. Clay made sure no one would enter the hall to distract them, Forever was forced to entertain himself with Clay.
As the days progressed Clay started encouraging interaction. He kept a few treats in his pocket, although he knew the stallion would not dare sacrifice his personal space for food. His priorities were clear.
Eventually the day came when Clay could walk past the stallion. It felt as if Forever was thinking it was the most normal thing in the world, as if he had always been like this and wondered why Clay seemed surprised. Clay was ecstatic but kept calm, he did not try to pet him or feed him a treat. Composed he grabbed the rope and led the stallion back to his home, where he was greeted with fresh hay and some treats on the ground.
Forever became more consistent in his behavior. We were able to walk into his paddock and lead him out without much discussion. The rope could finally be taken off, but for safety measures we left the halter on.
As in any living creature there have been good days and bad. There were days we could not go near him and days were the stallion curiously came to us. We tried to keep it all as positive as possible in the beginning, while still building trust and a relationship. Since we couldn't yet work him properly and letting him roam on a pasture was still unlikely we kept him busy with little knick knacks we set up. A jolly ball was hung from the fence, a salt stick from his stall. When our trees where trimmed we added branches as something for him to nibble on and put apples in his water for him to fish out.
It was such a success we started implementing a few of these ideas in the runs of our other horses.
As in any living creature there have been good days and bad. There were days we could not go near him and days were the stallion curiously came to us. We tried to keep it all as positive as possible in the beginning, while still building trust and a relationship. Since we couldn't yet work him properly and letting him roam on a pasture was still unlikely we kept him busy with little knick knacks we set up. A jolly ball was hung from the fence, a salt stick from his stall. When our trees where trimmed we added branches as something for him to nibble on and put apples in his water for him to fish out.
It was such a success we started implementing a few of these ideas in the runs of our other horses.
Aside from a few set backs, one including Clay and other staff members chasing Forever in the yards when he pulled himself free, his trainer was making good progress with him. He started slow in the beginning, knowing that once the first hurdle was overcome - being approached - the rest would go faster and be easier for the sensitive stallion.
As soon as Clay could walk up to him and attach the lead he started to incorporate lunging sessions with him to let him get rid of some tension. It never seemed to be a problem having the stallion come in the center towards Clay after lunging him. The stallion was always rewarded with treats, and a stroke on his neck.
Forever was starting to form a bond with his trainer and that's when Clay knew he could afford to put a little more 'stress' into his training without damaging the stallions views of humans. Clay would tie him by the grooming area and start stroking him. Forever twitched his skin, as if he were ticklish, and pranced on the spot, but Clay would move with him stoking his neck and belly. Forever had the worst problems with his head and legs, so they were spared in the beginning.
Since he did not get a lot of exercise his hooves were becoming too long and had to be trimmed. Nolan, our farrier and Clay just decided to go for it one day. He was tied up and Clay, with a bucket of carrots, kept the stallion busy. Nolan grabbed the first leg and started to work. The stallion would try to pull but quickly found the carrots more interesting then lifting his leg. So like a machine Clay fed him one carrot after another while Nolan worked on him in peace.
As soon as Clay could walk up to him and attach the lead he started to incorporate lunging sessions with him to let him get rid of some tension. It never seemed to be a problem having the stallion come in the center towards Clay after lunging him. The stallion was always rewarded with treats, and a stroke on his neck.
Forever was starting to form a bond with his trainer and that's when Clay knew he could afford to put a little more 'stress' into his training without damaging the stallions views of humans. Clay would tie him by the grooming area and start stroking him. Forever twitched his skin, as if he were ticklish, and pranced on the spot, but Clay would move with him stoking his neck and belly. Forever had the worst problems with his head and legs, so they were spared in the beginning.
Since he did not get a lot of exercise his hooves were becoming too long and had to be trimmed. Nolan, our farrier and Clay just decided to go for it one day. He was tied up and Clay, with a bucket of carrots, kept the stallion busy. Nolan grabbed the first leg and started to work. The stallion would try to pull but quickly found the carrots more interesting then lifting his leg. So like a machine Clay fed him one carrot after another while Nolan worked on him in peace.
After extensive work we got as far as we think we are going to get. It’s clear he will never be a ‘love bug’, but with some toleration of his quirks, there is nothing stopping him from becoming a proper riding horse.
Forever was a tough nut to crack, since his behavior was irrational and would even change from day to day.
Cameron, who is a vet, observed him occasionally from the distance and suggested there might even be a chemical imbalance, however he said it with caution as he did not properly diagnose the horse. The Anglo Arabian is hypersensitive at minimum.
In summery it took a long time before we could approach him, afterwards we worked on basic handling, which also came with its own set of struggles.
It seems he tolerates us now, but never really warmed up. Every "sweet" encounter seemed more like an obligation to his trainer, than searching for an actual connection. He did however still form a bond with Clay and recognized him, perking his ears when Clay was around.
Towards the end Clayton trained him with as much tack as he could find to desensitize him against rubbing and pressure. It seemed to be showing effect.
He has been worked from all angles (literally) and we are confident that he will cause no more problems being approached and haltered; leading is not an issue and brushing is still ‘tingly’, but he does not through a fit anymore, tacking up also seems to find acceptance.
Although we did not make the advances we were hoping for we know each horse has it's own story to tell and considering how Forever started out he has made huge advances and we are proud of him.
Forever was a tough nut to crack, since his behavior was irrational and would even change from day to day.
Cameron, who is a vet, observed him occasionally from the distance and suggested there might even be a chemical imbalance, however he said it with caution as he did not properly diagnose the horse. The Anglo Arabian is hypersensitive at minimum.
In summery it took a long time before we could approach him, afterwards we worked on basic handling, which also came with its own set of struggles.
It seems he tolerates us now, but never really warmed up. Every "sweet" encounter seemed more like an obligation to his trainer, than searching for an actual connection. He did however still form a bond with Clay and recognized him, perking his ears when Clay was around.
Towards the end Clayton trained him with as much tack as he could find to desensitize him against rubbing and pressure. It seemed to be showing effect.
He has been worked from all angles (literally) and we are confident that he will cause no more problems being approached and haltered; leading is not an issue and brushing is still ‘tingly’, but he does not through a fit anymore, tacking up also seems to find acceptance.
Although we did not make the advances we were hoping for we know each horse has it's own story to tell and considering how Forever started out he has made huge advances and we are proud of him.