Horses that refused water that you had to quit eventing

[Sticky_Situation]

Come to western PA and go on a trail ride or 2 … you’ll have a horse that’s experienced with water in no time.

I’m a big fan of schooling those things (natural water, natural ditches) out on the trail in low-pressure situations rather than designated XC schooling jump days … then when the horse sees a water obstacle or revetted ditch, he has a frame of reference and it’s NBD.

[quietann]

All this is very useful for me dealing with the mare and cows. She’s 21, and we only have one place where we regularly see cows, and they are relatively easy to avoid. So far she has not gotten past them. I’m thinking about just dropping the whole thing as she is so good in so many other ways, but do wish she’d calm down about them.

(Did a cow clinic on her – once. With little just-weaned calves. It took her several hours to figure out she could move them; she has a very strong herding instinct and will herd geese all day. Then she got a bit too enthusiastic and struck at a calf that didn’t move fast enough. NOT COOL. We were asked to quit for the day, sigh.)

[CindyCRNA]

Update: we schooled yesterday. We had a good water friendly group we were riding with and when my guy saw the others dancing about without a care, with a moderate amount of encouragement he went in. We were able to pick up a trot then canter and basically had a good session. Lots of praise. Someone commented the water was too deep. There was a boat set up in the middle for training and prelim and folks were having a hard time with their horses losing steam in the deep water so the depth of this particular water complex is not helping my cause. We will try again solo to see if he can still feel brave alone. We went back to the complex after the schooling but there were still horses in it so he went in albeit sideways but still!

[frugalannie]

Congrats CindyRNA. Progress! FWIW, I’d ry to do at least two more group water experiences, with maybe trying a solo entry on the second. IMHO you don’t want to end up stranded on the bank again. You want him associating the experience as fun with other horses, then fun with other horses looking on before doing a solo try. Others may have a different view, but having had a water shunner, I’d do my best to reform the mindset before testing it.

Best of luck!

[Chouteau]

Yay! I was out there Saturday - sorry I missed you! The water was on the deep side - but good solid entrances & footing, thrilled your horse had a great experience with it - groups are a great idea right now. Hope to catch up with you next time!

[endlessclimb]

Agree with @frugalannie , and I’d also add that I’d stop trotting and cantering in it until you can get him to go in it with confidence. No need to make him think that water = work right now. Just walk around, let him sniff and paw (and pray to jeebus he doesn’t roll )