Training a nervous horse for eventing

[forestergirl99]

Have any of you had experience training a nervous horse for eventing? I have an 8 yr old Appendix who is a great prospect. He has gorgeous movement and really nice form over jumps. The only problem is that he gets nervous with new stuff, and XC is going to be a challenge. Does anyone have any tips?

This is a video of him jumping, and yeah.:winkgrin: The jumps aren't a problem, it's just getting him confident.

http://s538.photobucket.com/albums/ff345/tesseventer101/?action=view&current=Forest3ft.flv

[RiverBendPol]

Everybody, human and equine, gets nervous at some point. The trick is to control the worries. Your horse looks quite lovely. My guess, not knowing a thing about either of you, is that the more you get him out and about, the more relaxed he will become. Take him to events where you do nothing but walk him around on a lead. After you've done that a few times with good results, take him somewhere to ride him. Etc., etc. More off-farm activities will help to calm you both. Get him really relaxed before you try to compete him away from home.

[forestergirl99]

Everybody, human and equine, gets nervous at some point. The trick is to control the worries. Your horse looks quite lovely. My guess, not knowing a thing about either of you, is that the more you get him out and about, the more relaxed he will become. Take him to events where you do nothing but walk him around on a lead. After you've done that a few times with good results, take him somewhere to ride him. Etc., etc. More off-farm activities will help to calm you both. Get him really relaxed before you try to compete him away from home.


I have taken him off the farm twice in the 3 months I've owned him. Once was to school, and the other was to go on a trail ride. He was amazing the first time we took him out. He jumped more honestly there than he did at home. It was almost like the work was his comfort zone, so he was willing to do more. He was pretty good the second time we took him out. He was willing to cross a little creek(more like jump it) after some convincing, and he was also good about crossing bridges.

[piccolittle]

Firstly, what a nice horse!

I think some horses naturally have a bolder attitude, and some are willing but need a little education. It sounds to me as though your horse has a good attitude, but is careful and likes to know where he's going. More exposure will definitely help, and I bet with more education he will be very brave indeed.

In reality, the true test of an event horse is not that they will "boldly go where no horse has before," but that they are willing to trust our judgment, our confidence, even in a situation in which they are unsure. So the more he learns to trust you, the bolder he becomes.

[CookiePony]

Yes, he is very nice! He needs to trust you, and you in turn need to trust a good event trainer. Hopefully you have one that will be able to help you build his confidence.

[wildlifer]

Miles. Miles, miles, miles and time. Trail miles are excellent for just encountering new things and dealing with them and building your relationship. Did I mention miles? LOL -- really, the most valuable thing I've done with my horse has been taking him on tons of trips, and very few of those have been shows. You never know what you have to navigate -- narrow bridges, leg-attacking sticks, flushing turkeys, deer, mountain bikers, four wheelers, screaming toddlers, crazy dogs, plastic bags, lost balloons, all of these are trainable opportunties and give you and your horse a chance to work through them together with you as the leader, showing him that he can trust you even in a situation when things are new. (And wear a helmet)

[retreadeventer]

I love him! A nervous horse is a keen horse which is a good event prospect. My goodness youought to see some of those upper level horses, talk about keen! So it's a good thing. Just have to channel it...most nervous ones are smart, too, they just have to see everything before they calm. Love that the work focuses him. More off farm trips! Good luck! :)

[piaffequeen]

Take your time with him! Try to go school cross country jumps as much as possible! Hit schooling trials/shows and just go in with no expectations-no ribbons and praise praise praise when he does something good! Get a good event trainer and trail ride!

Good luck!

[forestergirl99]

Miles. Miles, miles, miles and time. Trail miles are excellent for just encountering new things and dealing with them and building your relationship. Did I mention miles? LOL -- really, the most valuable thing I've done with my horse has been taking him on tons of trips, and very few of those have been shows. You never know what you have to navigate -- narrow bridges, leg-attacking sticks, flushing turkeys, deer, mountain bikers, four wheelers, screaming toddlers, crazy dogs, plastic bags, lost balloons, all of these are trainable opportunties and give you and your horse a chance to work through them together with you as the leader, showing him that he can trust you even in a situation when things are new. (And wear a helmet)

Haha. Miles. I think I get it! lol. jk. We are actually moving to a new barn(my trainer is coming too, but it's just a new barn.), and it has tons of trails!! That's funny that you mention screaming kids though because he hates kids....and sticks...and bikes...and 4 wheelers...haha.

I love him! A nervous horse is a keen horse which is a good event prospect. My goodness youought to see some of those upper level horses, talk about keen! So it's a good thing. Just have to channel it...most nervous ones are smart, too, they just have to see everything before they calm. Love that the work focuses him. More off farm trips! Good luck!

Thanks!! By keen do you mean like smart but cautious or what? haha. Btw, he is really smart.

[piccolittle]

Thanks!! By keen do you mean like smart but cautious or what? haha. Btw, he is really smart.

Smart is great!!! Eventers have to be smart. If a horse is smart and careful, they have a better appreciation for what we're asking them to do, and in my opinion are safer for it.

My horse, for instance, has never had a cross-country penalty (up to Intermediate). BUT, he always takes that brief scan of what's going on. I know I'll be safe and happy because he always knows where his feet are going. And he goes because he trusts me when I tell him to.

I'm so excited for you!! Sorry to get all worked up but I do think he is gorgeous and I bet you will have a great deal of fun and success in eventing together.

P.S. Just saw the video again: don't mean to be a meanie but PUT ON A HELMET!

[advmom]

He's very nice and smart horses make great Event horses, smart riders make great event riders and smart riders ALWAYS wear helmets!

[forestergirl99]

P.S. Just saw the video again: don't mean to be a meanie but PUT ON A HELMET!

smart riders make great event riders and smart riders ALWAYS wear helmets!


(And wear a helmet)

The person riding is my trainer, and I have no say over whether she wears a helmet or not. I always wear a helmet though.

[wildlifer]

Naughty trainer! Tell her she won't be able to cash your checks if she's not conscious. ;-)

[Atigirl]

What a nice horse!
I had a similar with a OTTB. He had so much ability and talent but no self confidence. We evented for several years at novice (even got ribbons and placed). The biggest issue I had with him moving past novice was his decision making skills were not the best if he got confused or god forbid nervous. During a lesson, he cleared a 3' bounce as an oxer:eek: He was the only horse I have ever seen stand square and on the bit in the start box for x-c (probably in denial of what was coming). Turns out he was really a closet dressage horse in an eventers body. When I stopped jumping him and focused on dressage, I trained him up to 3rd-4th level and he was soooo happy!
Make sure you listen to your horse. Training and miles and experience are very important, but make sure that your horse REALLY wants to do this. Cross country is not fun if your partner would rather stay in the dressage arena!:D

[JER]

The person riding is my trainer, and I have no say over whether she wears a helmet or not.

You do have say over whether she rides your horse, which means you do have say over whether she wears a helmet.

If your trainer got seriously injured on your horse, her insurance company might/will be obligated to sue you as the owner of the horse. Having seen this happen, I can tell you that the process is painful for everyone involved.

But I don't mean to hijack -- your horse is lovely. :)