ex race horse

Question
  QUESTION: Hi
I live in the UK and I have a 7 year old ex flat racer, English Thoroughbred, which I got from the racing yard following an injury to his sesamoid. He was stabled for 18 months to 'recover'and I got him after his recovery period.  He was in poor condition so I spent 4 months getting him physically well and letting him get aaccustomed to his new environment and me! He has a confidence issue, (in that he had none), so alot of time was spent building it up, leading him around, walking over poles, walking out on the roads etc. I couldn't put him out in the field at first, he would run the fence in panic, so I spent time out with him, (sat in there reading a book) moving away a bit each day until he is now ok out there.  In all respects, he is a super chap, he does mouth quite abit (nibbles my sleeves, clothes, his lead rope etc like a baby) but he doesn't kick, isn't bad tempered and he is a real character.  I have had some help along the way, his digestion was screwed when I got him, his teeth and feet were poor and he was thin, but not emaciated.  Thse issues have all been rectified, and once I started riding him, we took things gradually (I had re-started him from scratch), and at a pace which he could cope with.  I am pleased with his progress, even though it is very slow, but there are 2 things I canot seem to overcome.  He is fine if I ride alone, but once there are other horses (mounted) within site, he does everything he can to join them.  If I stop him from doing that, he rears.  He will do this under saddle and in hand. (He rears at most things he wants to protest about, I feel it is his way of self expression),  I am fairly sure this is due to his racing past (trained to be up with the group and all going in the same direction) and I have tried to be understanding, begun with 1 in the school, increased the numbers, decreased them, stood him still and not asked anything from him but to stand calmy, distracted him with jumps (which he loves to do) but it seems the 'pull'of needing to be with the others is far greater than anything I do to distract him! At the moment, I am unable to hack out alone, as if we see others he will rear and nap to get to them and I cannot ride in the proximity of others unless we ride as a group and in the same direction.  He has come such along way to where he was when I got him (3 years ago in March)and I am so proud of him and the trust he has put in me and it is heart breaking knowing he is struggling with this issue as trying to stop him causes him a great deal of stress (teeth grinding, sweating, rearing, napping, head shaking). Do you have any ideas on how I can reassure him it's ok to move away from others, and go in the opposite direction and to build his confidence more?  I would say that I hae asked another expert this question, but his answers covered what I have already tried.  I don't try and force him to do anything, I try and use his own instincts to my advantage, but his reaction to this issue is becoming very dangerous.  He is kept on a 30 horse livery yard, very well managed and run and his needs are well met.  I have run out of ideas!

Answer
Hi Carol,

I really feel for you! Firstly let me congratulate you on doing a tough job in reschooling this boy, he sounds like he was totally messed up, and you have come to his rescue.

To increase his confidence I would ask a friend with a quiet and dependable horse to ride with you, I know it seems like a backwards step, but if he has a companion, this will help the issue.

The other way is harsher, but again, I have used it with some success with a couple of very stubborn horses!  Hack out alone, and if you see any other horses, immediately turn and go in the other direction, keep asking with your leg and really make him walk on and listen to you.  If he starts to rear or nap, a tap with a schooling whip and a firm 'NO' growled at him should be enough to send him forwards.

You could, if you are confident enough, and it sounds like you are, ride out in small spurs, just to give you a bit of a sharper response to your leg aids, this will make him listen, and give him a bit more respect for you.  


Otherwise I am afraid it's just a case of repetition and time!  

Good luck, and if there is anything else I can help you with, please do contact me, via my personal email elvenkeeparabians@hotmail.co.uk  or you can call me (I am also UK based) on 07835548037

Emma xx