Mare is scared witless of horse pulling cart

[Lori_B]

Well, Chewbacca, since you weren’t there, you don’t know, do you?

Unfortunately, opportunities to accustom her to the cart will not be consistently available, since it isn’t kept at the farm, but is hauled in to be used and then returned to a different farm. My mare is remarkably unflapped by most new stuff, and when she spooks, she usually ‘unspooks’ pretty quickly. In this case, not so much. I think it isn’t the cart, it’s the combination of horse and cart. I think we could work through it with regular and gradual exposure, but at least in this situation, that is unlikely to be possible.

I was definitely surprised by how upset she got, and how upset she stayed, and I didn’t really get any warning that the other boarder was going to be working her horse with the cart until I saw her come down the driveway. So sure, it surprised me, but I have handled my mare in a number of unfamiliar circumstances, and this is just not how she ordinarily behaves, even when something bugs her. Somehow, you will have to believe that I know what I’m talking about here, and am not just freaking out because she spooked a little. I think I will handle it better next time because I’ll have some idea what to expect, and my own surprise won’t be part of the mix. I am hopeful that she will be less bothered next time, but she may not be.

[SharonA]

I don’t know if the driver spoke to you or not, but for my horse, if the human within the contraption speaks, that helps her figure things out. She about teleported to Planet Neptune the first time we came across an… ahem… Shetland pony pulling a cart. I don’t know whether the tiny pony, the cart, or the whole contraption contributed the most to my horse’s life flashing before her goggling eyes. She would have bolted if her brain had been able to function enough to tell her legs what to do, but the shock and horror was too much for her to even move. I asked the driver to speak, and that seemed to be enough for me horse to accept the idea that the universe was not imploding just yet. I chatted with the driver for a few moments, and then we got the bored sigh and all was la-di-da again. Maybe asking the driver to talk, if that did not happen this time, might be helpful for your horse as well.

You do not have to respond to this post if it is not helpful or relevant for you. Of course we all believe that you know what you are talking about, and hope that you will forgive our suggestions if they are not what you are talking about.

[CHT]

A few years ago a boarder had a little cart and drove her mare. We just timed the driving so that she would do it while the horses near the arena were eating. I think a combo of them being in their “herd”, eating, and that they were free to run away made them get over their concern quicker.

I agree that walking behind the cart makes sense, but I think if you try to make her stand and deal with it, she might be even more concerned.

[RPM]

Is there any way the pasture mate’s owner and you could fix up the disused cart by the shed so she could drive her Morgan to it sometimes?

Might be way too big a project to be practicable; but if not, might help your horse AND give her pasture mate some more driving time.

[PeteyPie]

This is just an idea, based on the articles I’ve read about horses and observational learning. Also, I got the idea from your post that the Thoroughbred did not observe the Morgan getting harnessed, but suddenly saw her pulling the cart.

Make sure the mare sees you harness her pasture mate several times. Give the Morgan a bucket with a few cups of grain or something yummy, and do it right outside of the fence where the Thoroughbred can observe. I really think she might come around after a few times watching you 1) harness her friend, 2) drive away, 3) return to the spot near the fence, and 4) give a little snack, affection and grooming to the Morgan. Of course, ignore the Thoroughbred during this process.

I had something like this happen to a dog of mine who was very scared of water. I tried to give him a bath/shower but he was terrified. So I just stopped. Then, over the next few months, he would peek into the bathroom to see me bathing my other dog and I made sure he saw me giving her treats. The next time I tried to bathe him, he was fine. Of course, I made it really easy and just got him to stand in the shower, get a few treats, and I only put water on his feet for a few seconds, after which I praised him effusively and then toweled him off. He loved all the attention. The next bath was a normal full bath (shower) and he behaved very well.

[SharonA]

Very old thread

I realized after I posted that this is actually a very old thread. I’m not quite sure how I came across it, and there is some issue with my account such that I can’t edit or delete posts.

In any case, I’m sure the OP’s horse has long since gotten over this. Or not…

[Carol_Ames]

Great idea! I wonder if it would work with horses being ridden; I’ve used the cookie technique often

[sascha]

[QUOTE=CDE Driver;6352259]
Good advice given.

I have a funny sort of opposite story…

We drive here, not much riding. We had a colt born here and when he was a few months old someone came out to ride. His reaction to seeing someone ride a horse was hilarious! It was like what your horse did… he had never seen a horse being ridden before.

His Mother’s reaction to him was pretty funny too. She kept looking from him to the horse in the arena, like she could not figure out what he was all worked up about.[/QUOTE]

Well since this thread has been dug up, I’ll play. I board where half the barn is riding horses and the other half is Standardbreds. I am normally the only boarder who rides early am when the guys are training on the track. All the babies do a double take the first time they see my horse carrying me around like it’s a normal thing to do. :lol:

I was actually invited this morning to train alongside one of the older horses sometime. I think I’ll take advantage of that offer one morning next weekend

To the original question - I can’t really help for your particular situation, but having my batsh!t* crazy mare in a paddock where she could see horses with joggers coming out of the barn and heading to the track and also see about half the track got her over her fear of all things driving real fast.

*she is no longer nearly as crazy and takes many things in stride that used to wig her out completely

[Lori_B]

OP here. Mare never did happen to be in the same place as the horse and cart again. She was retired due to chronic unsoundness, and was euthanized due to acute colic in Feb. 2014. RIP KatyBug.