Re: Rugging up a nervous horse!!!

Firstly, I would suggest working the horse. Lunge if its easier, get rid of some of the excess energy. Lunging is a great way to build up a bond with a horse, he has to listen to you. After that, if possible you have a lunge pen, or can mark off half a school, do a semi-join up session with him. You haven't had this horse long, so you don't know what could have gone wrong. Is he alright to saddle up, brush, saddlecloth on?
If yes, then try the fleece when he's stood. If he won't stand, twitch him, even if its with your hand, so he relaxes. Tell him what a fine boy he is, run your hands all over him and slowly inch it up. Don't throw it up on him, it may be because its big and its coming towards him!
Does he have any sensitive skin conditions?

Re: Rugging up a nervous horse!!!

It sounds like you could do with doing lots of ground-work to desensitise him in general.

With a horse who is a nervy character (like your boy sounds), ground work can really make a massive difference to them, espeically in your relationship together as he will start to trust you more which will eventually translate back to your ridden work.

How is he with stuff on his back in general? Will he let you put a saddle cloth up there? I would take it back to very very basics...have him in a headcollar, preferbaly in a safe area like an arena, and have your rug (use something like a light fleece/cooler which is easy to put on) on the floor in the centre of the ring, with something like come carrots on top. Lead him up to it and let him sniff it and get the treat.

Next pick the rug up. If he backs away, move with him but don't attempt to put it on him. Don't look him in the eye or putthe rug down. Keep your posture relaxed and your shoulders slightly turned to him...but not squared up. When he stops moving his feet, put the rug down and give him a pat. Keep lifting the rug up and repeat what I've just said until he stops reacting when you pick it up.

Next, put the rug against him. Not up on top...just held against him. Again, if he moves around, keep it held on him and as soon as he stops, take the rug away and give him a pat. Repeat this step until again, he does not react. When he accepts this calmly..put the rug up onto his back, near the withers...about where a saddle would sit. Repeat what I've said about leaving it there until he is still and then make a fuss of him.

Noticing a pattern yet??? Basically, you want to ignore bad behaviour and reward postivie behaviour. I.e. he should stand still when you put the rug on him. It will take LOTS of practise and patience....but remember that the more time that is invested in this, and the less you do it by force...the more positive the outcome is likely to be.

Reading your last post...re the lunging. It's important again to keep them out and stay there!! Not the easiest with a horse who likes to turn in. Most horses do this because they are confused and often, if you let them...they'll just come right up to you! If you can get a helper. Position them on the opposite side of the horse to you and have them walk round with him until he gets the idea. But remember you are controlling him NOT the handler, so lunge as you normally would...whip to his shoulder and then flick out to send him forward. Make sure that you move around to make sure you are always behind his shoulder as the second he gets behind you he'll stop and turn in.

With a new horse, especially one who is nervous, of who has been badly handled as a youngster, it is really important that you're fair and consistent when you handle them so they learn the boundaries nad what the expectations are.

Re: Rugging up a nervous horse!!!

I agree with Sonia, the way i do it with mine is only slightly different. i lay it over a gate as if its on the horse then i fold it in half taking the back to the front, then i halve it again taking th back to the front then i fold it towards me so i can walk to the shoulder and rest on their back, this is now saddle shaped and size so  unfold the rugover the back as if you were putting a saddle on, honestly he shouldnt have even sussed you out yet next unfold the rug until it covers his back, have someone obv to help so they can then pass straps underneath, we just get prepared to be kicked for crossing over with leg straps and we always manage, though this is chris's job and he's had some bruises i could win competitions with. then carrots, you're a good boy. I always rug up another horse at the same time so that they dont freak at being the only one.

Nervous horse

I find that the best way to get a nervous horse de-sensitised to the 'flight from fear' is to teach them leg restraints. It is not a technique used in the UK, but in Australia and America, it is normal proceedure when training a horse and it works amazingly well.It is even shown on the film 'The Horse Whisperer'.

Firstly, get an old stirrup leather and fasten it on the middle hole. Pick the front foot up and place the loop around the outside of the hoof wall and slide the other end over the forearm. This needs to be a short enough loop so that the foot cannot be pulled out of the strap. Then, try to lunge the horse, slowly, with the leg strap on. He will hop on 3 legs and soon come to a standstill. Then, praise him, walk up to him and take it off after he has stood still for 2 minutes. Lunge again, without it, then put it back on. He will soon learn that the easiest thing to do when the strap is on, is to stand still. This 'brainwashes' the horse into thinking that with the strap on, they can't move and it makes worming, injections, rugging, etc. so easy.

It really is a none event as far as the horse is concerned and they become so calm as soon as the strap is fitted as it takes away the flight from fear option and forces them to give all decision-making re. their safety, to you. Trust is established and they come on in leaps and bounds.