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Afraid of being saddled

3K views 29 replies 12 participants last post by  Equilove 
#1 ·
This has been an issue since I've had Savanna, and keep in mind I've only had her since Feb 19th of this year.

Here's a description of how Sav and I tack up:

Our trailer is our tack room and tacking station. It's kept in the field where I ride. I tie her to the trailer and brush her. She's very calm and accepts everything. I pull out the saddle pad, and she snorts, but doesn't jump or move when I place it on her back. Then when I pull the saddle out, she gets very very anxious and nervous. If I hold it up to her nose, she'll reach her head out and even take a few steps forward to smell it and examine it. I can touch her chest and neck with it, even rub it on her face (English saddle). Once I approach her side, she starts pacing and will hit the end of the lead and immediately change directions, often barreling through me.

It seems to be genuine fear, not her being naughty. I haven't given her any reason to be fearful of the saddle since I've had her. I know the man who broke her out (over a year ago, with no riding in the past 6-8 months) and he is reputable and a great trainer, so I find it unlikely that he did something "stupid" that may have made her afraid.

When I first encountered this problem (the first time I saddled her), I thought a fine fix would be to get her used to the saddle and just keep saddling and unsaddling her until she got used to it and realized it wouldn't hurt her. I would put the saddle on but not girth it up, just let it set there, and then take it off. Gave her a minute, then tried again. She's not afraid of the saddle unless it's approaching her back.

It's strange too, because once I can manage to get the saddle on her back (sometimes she will give up and stand still, but still be very cautious and jumpy) she lets me adjust it and girth her up like it's nothing. But if the saddle squeaks, or something makes a noise on the saddle like something hitting the seat or the irons bouncing, she will jump. She's jumpy, but not spooky, if that makes sense...

What I'd like to have some advice on is what may have caused this, which will ultimately help me find a cure for it. It doesn't seem to be improving at all with the idea that "Once she realizes it won't hurt her, she'll be fine with it". I don't always work her when I saddle her. Sometimes I'll girth her up loose and let her eat hay in the barn, letting the saddle "soak" in. Also, there are no problems when I ride her. She stands still to mount, doesn't care if my leg bounces on her side when I swing my leg over, etc. I considered maybe it was a pain issue, but it isn't. Her back is fine (vet checked) and so is her girth area. Oh and, it's MUCH worse when I try to saddle her western.
 
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#2 ·
I wonder if you did this saddleing work with her not being tied but allowed to move (circle) around you while it was on her if she could work through her anxiety better. You might need anothe person to help you, or maybe you could do it yourself. I don't know if I can explain it, and I dont' know if I could do it myself, so take this idea for just an thought.
I think for a horse that is anxious, being tied and unable to move makes it even harder. When she moved around with the saddle on, if it made noises, she could move more if she needed to and might realize that she can move and nothing bad will happen.
 
#3 ·
I have done that, because I also thought it would help, but it only gave her more room to move away from me. I put a shipping halter on her and let the lead part dangle to the ground. We were in a small paneled area about the size of a foaling stall, maybe a little bigger. She ran in circles around me and eventually away from me. I didn't want to chase her, because that only makes it worse, so I caught her and tied her back outside.

I've held my saddle and had her walk toward me/it, like she's "chasing" it, and she seems perfectly comfortable.

I just thought of this... every time I am saddling her and she is pacing and barreling through me, and I continue to approach her with the saddle, I AM chasing her, and every time I get the saddle on her, it's like "Gotcha!" Maybe I do need to find a way to MAKE her stay still (cross-ties) and have a couple days where I saddle her and she has no choice but to stand there and accept it. I think she thinks she can get away from it if she tries hard enough (not that she has ever gotten out of it). This could be very right, or very wrong. I'm just very confused as to why she's so afraid in the first place.
 
#4 ·
She does not need a reason. Horses are creature of habit and now the only reason she needs is that she has done it before so will continue to do it until you give her a reason NOT to do it. I am sure she has long since forgotten the actual connection to why she did it originally.

The worst thing you are doing is letting her run past you. That is a really bad habit. It is not only very disrespectful but a horse can knock you down and step on you.

I would attach a second lead-rope and hold it in your left hand. Then, when she tries to go forward, you can give it a good jerk and say "Whoa!" and approach again. Do this repeatedly until she stands still. It may take a good while the first time or two, but she will soon figure out that standing is her best option.
 
#5 ·
Since you've had Savanna only about 6 weeks or so have you given her some time to get settled into her new enviroment before starting right away to saddling and riding her? A horse in new surroundings needs some time to get familiar/habituated with a new routine, new handler, new sights and sounds. Your Savanna is maybe acting as she is because she feels insecure. Taking her back to the basics will hopefully help a lot and doing just some time hanging out with her. One of the best bits of advice I ever got was when getting/having a new horse was to assume that horse didn't know anything and do basic ground work before ever thinking about saddling and riding. In doing basic ground work the horse learns to trust and the handler/owner learns just how much the horse knows.

Since some issues have already been pesented with the difficulty in saddling Savanna take some "steps back" and help her become more secure. Best Wishes coming your way.
 
#6 ·
i lease a horse and when I approach him with an English saddle he starts to run away.... Believe me, it really gnaws at my nerves when he does that. The only way we can finally get him to accept it is another person standing at his head and petting him or holding his halter. I know this is most likely a very different problem than what you have, but it may be worth a shot. Oh by the way is she a mustang? If so, that might have something to do with it.

Good luck!!
 
#7 ·
I've had someone hold her while I try to saddle her and vice versa. She just ends up pulling the person around! Yes, she is a mustang. It shouldn't have anything to do with it in my opinion, though. ;)

I would attach a second lead-rope and hold it in your left hand. Then, when she tries to go forward, you can give it a good jerk and say "Whoa!" and approach again. Do this repeatedly until she stands still. It may take a good while the first time or two, but she will soon figure out that standing is her best option.
I like this idea, and I will try it. Thank you! The problem was that I could stand in front of her and approach her at an angle with the saddle, and she wouldn't run into me or past me, but at some point I have to move past her head and to her side, and that's when she has the hole open to dart past me, often pushing me out of the way as she does.

Since you've had Savanna only about 6 weeks or so have you given her some time to get settled into her new enviroment before starting right away to saddling and riding her? A horse in new surroundings needs some time to get familiar/habituated with a new routine, new handler, new sights and sounds. Your Savanna is maybe acting as she is because she feels insecure. Taking her back to the basics will hopefully help a lot and doing just some time hanging out with her. One of the best bits of advice I ever got was when getting/having a new horse was to assume that horse didn't know anything and do basic ground work before ever thinking about saddling and riding. In doing basic ground work the horse learns to trust and the handler/owner learns just how much the horse knows.

Since some issues have already been pesented with the difficulty in saddling Savanna take some "steps back" and help her become more secure. Best Wishes coming your way.
Yes she has had time to settle in. Like I said this is our only problem that isn't improving, and I have done plenty of desensitizing anything that would prepare her for the saddle, and I would consider simply putting the saddle on as very basic itself. The first week I trained her was us getting to know each other and me finding out how much she knows. She certainly knows what a saddle is, and that's where our problem surfaces. I've done lots of groundwork with her and she has excelled with everything I've worked on with her. Thank you for the input!
 
#8 ·
Oh my gosh! I just got a new horse (about 2 weeks ago) and I have the EXACT (and I mean EXACT) same problem with him! He is just great in every other way, but when I go to put the saddle on him (western), he paces back and forth and will run right over me. Once it's on, its on, and there are no problems after that, but I have to "chase" him with it while he moves away and then towards me and then away from me and when he is moving towards me (he is tied) he just barrels right through me like I'm not even there. Then when its on, he stands there and lets me cinch it up and do whatever.

I'll be anxious to see what the solutions are because I have no idea how to approach this issue. I'm alone, so I have no one to help, so I hope there is something I can do to fix it myself.
 
#9 ·
Have you checked that the saddle fits her properly? I had an ill fitting saddle and it is really amazing how it impacted the horses behavior in a very negative way. Thankfully I met a trainer certified in tack and saddle fitting, learned the saddle fit was the problem. Long story short, new well fitting saddle makes my mare happy.
 
#10 ·
I'm not sure about the OP, but in my case, yes, the saddle fits. I tried several saddles before I found one that fit and he did this same behavior no matter what I put on him. I also tried just a bareback pad and got the same results (in fact, even worse). Once the saddle is on, he is totally fine and he rides like a dream so I don't think saddle fit is a problem in my case. I'm not sure how to approach this issue, but if this is the worst problem he has, then I feel I really shouldn't complain.
 
#13 ·
I would rather have a rope halter on, keep the end of it over my arm (not around, just draped over, ) and if he starts to move, you could either do as Cherie suggests, snap the rope halter under his chin a good one and say WHoa! or hold onto the rope halter with your left hand and let him cirlce around you and the saddle until he choses to stop. YOu'd have to turn with him. If you had an English (lighter ) saddle would be so much easier.
I would try what Cherie suggested.

I just think you can do som much more with a rope halter and a longish lead than the bridle. Just my opinion.

I have't personally dealt wtih this problem to the level you have. If my horse moves, I will verbally scold him. If he chosed to move more, I just follow him .
If he moved into me I would smack him with whatever I could, of kick him in the belly if he seriously barged into me like he was going to run me over and I had no free hand and nothing to swing at him. I have feet and sharp cowboy boots.
OR, just stamp the ground fiercely, if that will change his mind. Acting big and angry for a second can really make an impression. Also , takes his mind off that saddle and onto the wacko stamping the ground right next to him.
 
#15 ·
Knowing now what I didn't know then, I would certainly rule out any physical issues, and ill fitting tack. If all those were a thumbs up, I think I would just go with the pressure and release method. Instead of riding the horse everytime it is saddled just saddle and unsaddle, over and over. When that becomes second nature to the horse, saddle and lead it. When that becomes comfortable, saddle and lunge. It may just be one of those things where completely starting over is the best option. I am very lucky that I have many friends and a couple of great trainers to lean on. Good luck!
 
#18 ·
I had to read back to the beginning because I was confused as to whether this was my thread or one I'd commented on (Darla's) lol.

As I said before, I don't always ride her or even work her when I saddle her. The saddles I use fit her and her back is not sore. It was a problem from day one with me and she'd had a year off from riding before that, so just those facts alone rule out the saddle fit making her that way. The only other time she's been ridden was when she was being trained for riding last spring.

Another thing too - when I take the saddle off of her she immediately shies away from it. The only time she accepts it is when it's on her back. I'll need to get a video or something to clarify what she's doing. It's really strange!
 
#16 ·
This training "trick" works for a few issues when the horse is being disrespectful. Move the horse far enough that you can safely lunge it. Keep the lunge line folded in your left hand and your lunge whip close by. When she moves away from you as you approach with the saddle, very quickly set it down, grab the lunge whip and send her out with a look like you want to kill her. Make her trot briskly a few rounds, throwing in 3 or 4 turnbacks (reverses), then invite her in and again approach with the saddle. Again if she retreats or rushes past, again with the lunging and turnbacks. She should be figuring this out and may need a third go-round. She should stand quietly after that as it's easier than doing all that hard work. That's why the turnbacks, more tiring. I do this with horses that fuss when getting their hooves picked, or trimmed, trailer loading, etc.
 
#19 ·
Sorry Equilove, I didn't mean to hijack your thread - lol. I was really excited to see someone had the exact same problem as I am having. In my situation, my horse only does it as I'm approaching him with the saddle. Once it's on, he no longer moves and when I take it off he doesn't move then either. Maybe it's some sort of game with him..(shrug), but I'm going to try some of these tricks to see if I can get him to quit it. Keep us posted on if you find something that works :)
 
#23 ·
I never had the previous owner saddle Sav. After we loaded her into the trailer he told me, verbatim: "Now... when you put the saddle on her for the first time, it will take some... finesse." I didn't think anything of it because I was buying her as a project, problems were to be expected. Quite frankly I didn't care what kind of training she'd had... the fact she was even considered "green broke" was nice in my eyes. I would have still bought her regardless of her past training, because I was just starting her over anyway.
 
#21 ·
Unfortunately in my case, the guy lives in Nevada (I'm in Montana), but when I got him I did notice he did the same thing when they saddled him. He was in a really small area with a very low roof when I observed it, so I guess I assumed it was because of that. Should have asked... :( But like I said, if this is the worst problem he has, then I'm still very happy with him. He's quite new to me, so I'm sure I'll find some other things that need some fine-tuning. I have a rescue horse in training right now, and when he is out, then I may take this new one and have him evaluated and fine-tuned, along with myself getting some much needed lessons.
 
#25 ·
I guess I look at things a lot different that one person with one horse does.

Frankly, I don't care how the last person that had a horse did something. I don't care if they set or threw a saddle on. I don't care if the horse stood like a well mannered horse should for either approach or if he freaked out and tried to run off. What he did before is not going to influence what he is going to learn in my care.

I just want to turn out a horse that any dummy can saddle, bridle and ride anywhere. I don't turn out horses with a list or a resume. A well trained horse just stands there and does what he is supposed to do, no matter how he is approached. Anything less -- well he needs to be worked on and taught.

I will tie a new horse up to see if he ties well. If he does, I go to grooming and saddling. I always have a second lead attached so a new one cannot run past me or turn and kick me. (Its happened)

Then, I approach with a lightweight saddle. I work on this until he stands good to be saddled.

I take each step -- one at a time -- and stop and work on the ones that need to be worked on. We go as far as we can each day and always stop when the last task has been accomplished to my satisfaction.

I learned a long time ago that people lie about their horses when they bring them to a trainer. They either misrepresent the problems or are too dumb to know they are problems or just just tell you a total lie to get you to take their horse. (Like you aren't going to know once you have it.)

I have had horses attack me, try to kick or paw me, run over me, rear up and throw themselves over, buck like a PRCA rodeo bronc and about anything else a spoiled horse can do, so I treat them all like they might do any of the above and just go from there. A horse's history is just that --- HISTORY. It does not shape its future if a person is competent. It is just a starting place.
 
#27 ·
Here's what I when I have a saddling problem with a broke horse. take him/her to a large at min. 30 ft. pen. a round pen is ideal. free lunge him and teach him to buddy up/connect with you. that the best place to be is in the middle with you were he doesn't have to work. if he offers to leave let him leave and make him work. after a few times he wont offer to leave. then get the saddle pad and repeat. once he gets where you can toss the saddle pad on him and he doesn't think about leaving get the saddle. go slow! you don't want him to even think about leaving if he's only 1/2 the way cinched up! once you can throw the saddle up on this back and he remains calm slowly start to reach under and get the latigo and put through the cinch. if he gets nervous put it down and try again. basically you are desentitizing your horse to the saddle when you are for certain he is not going to leave cinch him all the way up. This has worked for me every time i've used it. it also teaches him to trust you.
 
#29 ·
Oh it most certainly influences what the horse will learn when I handle it.
Of course it will influence what and how a horse learns and how I will proceed with said horse. I just don't need the previous owner to tell me a story. The horse will tell me the truth. That is why I do not care what kind of story an old owner tells me. The horses do not lie. They are more easily read than a book and they are more honest than an owner or seller.
 
#30 ·
Well, right now my horse isn't telling me anything except that she doesn't want to be saddled. Obviously the previous owners knew she was difficult to saddle and relayed that message obscurely to me, so I had to figure out to what extent on my own.

We don't have a roundpen but I'd like to find a way to try some form of the join-up method that someone described. We've got some panels I could move around to make a small roundpen I suppose. Maybe I can incorporate the touch-it game and set a cookie on top of a few saddles and put them pommel-down in an area and send her to each saddle, so she's curious about the saddles or something. Thanks for the advice all!
 
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