getting a saddle on an angry, agitated horse

[matildasquared]

I've been volunteering at some local stables for about four weeks now. I have learned in principle how to tack up, and have helped, but haven't done a whole tack-up on my own yet.

This morning we were quite busy and short-staffed and the stable manager asked me to get the saddle on Red, a usually sweet-natured mare who HATES being saddled. There is actually a sign saying that only staff are allowed to tack her. I said, "Okay, I'll give it a go..."

Yeah. Red was not having it. She started snapping at me, turning round and round trying to kick me. I tried to stay at her shoulder, turning with her whilst lifting the saddle, but then she'd bite at me and I'd back away out of range, take a breath and try again.

Finally the stable manager came over did it for me. I watched to see what I was missing and it was just a matter of physical courage: staying close to the horse, being forceful, and braving a few bites (they don't have canine teeth after all).

I feel bad for losing my nerve like that. I'm not afraid of horses at all, but this was the first time a horse actually had a go at me and all I wanted to do was back down.

How do you stay on top of a situation like that?

But seriously: in my novice opinion, I think looking after the horses and tacking them up can only help riding. In the few times I've taken riding lessons in the past, I've found it a bit weird that the horse is sort of presented to you with all these mysterious straps and gizmos on it, and you have to trust that it's not uncomfortable or in pain.

It doesn't mean as a novice you should be given this horse to tack up. Least maybe not yet. Equally you shouldn't feel that your aptitude at either riding or handling horses rests on tacking up an aggressive horse. You might be Zara Phillips. It has no bearing on whether you get bitten or not.

Kinda why I like horses. They don't respond to that stuff.
Good luck. I'm sure you are very good btw. Experience helps. But sometimes it really doesn't.

Agree with all that's been said about pain etc, but can't see why anyone would be 'braving a few bites'. If I knew the horse had a tendency to bite I'd have it tied up very short before I attempted to do anything to it. I found out the hard way that the pony ds used to ride can bite (she got my backside while I was picking out her feet - ouch, such pain) but I never gave her the chance to do it again!

Don't feel bad OP, it's not 'losing your nerve' it's self-preservation and very sensible considering it's not even your horse. Why should you put yourself at risk?

Thanks for that. I did feel like I let down the horse and the stable manager. Feeling a bit better now.

We have had to get a 'specialist' in for dd's horse who was objecting to being tacked up. So many issues. It's a minefield.

Assertive never means unkind, just that you read body language from the horse, and know what yours says to them. I try to be sure that mine is always calm, in control, and a reliable leader. You just develop it with experience, but I bet that horse needs to move on and not do riding school stuff

I've found that real anger rarely works with horses and if it does work in the moment it only makes the animal fearful or aggressive in return. But a calculated, rational, righteous indignation can go a long way. So if the horse goes to bite you a sort of "You MUST be joking if you think I will tolerate this kind of behaviour!" body language or a determined "There is no way you are stopping mate!" attitude for a nappy horse can work well. They do like someone taking control of the situation and giving them boundaries.

Today I went to volunteer again and successfully got saddle and bridle on another "opinionated" horse. First time I tacked a horse all on my own!

Also led several very different horses in the lessons (it's an RDA stable) and felt much more confident with them.

Really grateful for the advice earlier!

Well done.

And I do love an update.

Good.

Your attitude and confidence make a huge difference, and this is something that you learn with time.

I volunteer sometimes with horses and there is one that plays up with most other volunteers, but is always fine with me and one other lady. Why? Because we ignore his 'reputation' and just calmly and firmly handle him, and are relaxed around him, and give him a nice scratch in just the right place. We just expect him to behave, and he does. Other people go in with an idea he's going to nip them/be a nuisance and they've got to 'dominate' him, he picks up on there more aggressive approach, and gives it right back to them and bites at them. Some people go in more nervous and it makes him anxious and awkward as well. He's like a big fat horsey mirror - however you present yourself is exactly what he'll give back to you.

He is hard to saddle. He is a bit stiff in his back to start off with, but been checked and not in pain, he resists because of remembered pain and some rough treatment (because he tries to bite when saddled) and it's all a vicious circle then. The two of us do all right as we take our time and don't rush him, and saddle him very gently. Gently put saddle on back and let it just sit there for a minute to warm up and let him relax (with only a firm verbal 'oi!' if he shows us his teeth, and he then stops). Then gently doing the girth up loosely. Gradually tighten a hole or two at a time.

Thank you.

It's funny, just the other day I was amazed to discover that the enormous agitated gelding I was handling only wanted reassurance from me! I stopped being stern with him and gave him kisses and strokes, and his whole body relaxed. He rested his nose on my shoulder and was a dream for the rest of the lesson. 1000-pound animal looking for a gentle word from me. Astonishing!

I'm not the bravest person, my sense of self-preservation is too strong but horses still know if you know what you are doing iyswim. The other day there was a lady at the yard struggling to pick up the hoof of her loan horse and it wasn't having any of it. She was just about to go and find her friend so I asked if she wanted me to have a try. The horse picked its foot up straight away with no hesitation and I wasn't forceful with it or anything. I suppose I just gave clearer signals for what I wanted because I was more 'tuned in' whereas the other lady was a bit faffy yes that is a word if I say it is.

Exactly.

The closest analogy I can think of is if you were going to have blood drawn, you'd pick up on the manner and emotions of the nurse. If he/she sort of dithers around and seems frightened by the whole thing, then of course you as the patient will be terrified. As opposed to a calm, self-assured nurse who gets a gentle grip on your arm and gets on with it.