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  Discussion on Crossing over bridges
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Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2000 - 2:18 pm:

Hi everyone:

Here's the story. I recently purchased a 5 year old TB. He's great. He's a very fast learner and we are teaching him to jump. He is extremely broke on the flat! All is great in the arena in other words. I have taken him on trail about 4-5 times now. He is a little spooky but overall a great animal and no large overreactions -EXCEPT THE BRIDGE!! We have to cross two large bridges over a river. They are scary and very high over the water, but with railings on either side. We have gone over the bridge with other horses and he is fine. But, by himself, he won't go over and starts to pop up and stuff.

So, I am wondering should I get off and attempt to lead him over? Should I bring a lead rope just in case he's stubborn.

Should I try using treats?

I would like him to be able to handle the bridge by himself and not just in a group in other words.

Any suggestions would be appreciated AND I promise to try and report back !
Liz

Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2000 - 5:52 pm:

I'd do more rides with another horse until he is more sure of himself. If you can get your leader horse/rider to go back and forth several times each ride, that would be helpful. Always praise him for crossing (don't reassure him before crossing as he may think you are praising his fear). Horses have a strong desire to keep up with their buddies, so you can use this to your advantage.

How close is the bridge to home? When I first started my mare, I took her on a trail walk where I walked on the ground, leading her. I wore my rubber boots and we went wading in streams, splish-splashed, etc.

I think I'd be tempted to do something similar with this fellow if riding out with a friend is not an option (although I think you should always ride with someone for safety reasons)- go for a walk leading the horse and arrive at the bridge. Then walk back and forth a zillion times. After crossing successfully each time, I'd praise and maybe even give a treat (depends on the horse). I'd do this many times - the idea is to make the bridge utterly boring.

Cheers.

Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2000 - 6:22 pm:

Hi Liz,

I would agree to dismount rahter then make it a big confrontation. What you might try is leading him over it on the way out and see if he'll cross it on the way home. This worked with my guy in going through water! I figure it was because he had worked through his freshness and was anxious to return to his hay!

Teresa

Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2000 - 8:13 pm:

Two things come to mind. First get a piece of plywood, lay it on level ground, lead him across it, then, finally, ride him across it. Second, do the same thing with a tarp. You could, of course, use blinders (or whatever they call them). Does he go into a trailer with no problems, by the way? Is it a covered bridge? Can you ride him along fences?

What, exactly, do you think is frightening him? Is it looking out into nothing? The noise of the water? The sound of his footsteps? If you can narrow it down, you can probably find someway to simulate the condition.

Good luck. I've got one (a baby) that is absolutely terrified of water. You'd be amazed at how far he can jump to avoid getting his tootsies wet.

Posted on Monday, Apr 17, 2000 - 11:07 pm:

Dear everyone:

thanks for all the great responses. Eva, to answer your questions, yes he does go into a trailer willingly. No, they are not covered bridges but wooden slats with open railings (metal) along the sides. I can ride him along fences.

I think the frightening things are the noise of the bridge under his feet and definitely the water.

I promise to try all of your suggestions as soon as I can. Hopefully this coming week-end or possibly the following week.

I am going to try to lead him as Chris suggested over the bridge several times. It is pretty close to home so I can take him for a "dog" walk. That way I can also try him under the viaduct which runs under a very loud road and next to the river - very frightening indeed!!

I think you are also right Teresa, because last time I went over the bridge with friends, we made him go over first on the way home, he hesitated but was good about it after only slight prodding.

I think he will respond to treats very positively so I will try that as well.

At home, I will also try to simulate the bridge sound if I can find some plywood and maybe walk him through some major puddles or near the water ditch...

Thank you all very much for the feedback. I will hopefully post back in a week or so and let you all know what's happening!!!
Liz.

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 26, 2000 - 12:56 pm:

HI Everyone:

Just an update as to what has worked so far. I haven't been able to trail ride at all lately.

BUT, he is very afraid of water and we crossed a big hurdle yesterday. Over the weekend we walked through a zillion puddles-reluctantly *grin*.

And yesterday we rode through a monster sized puddle. What I did was basically waited him out.

We would walk up to the puddle and then he'd back up, then I would walk him up again and again each time he tried to back away. Finally, he just plain gave up and walked through the deepest part willingly and then again and again with no resistance. IT WAS GREAT! There was no major fighting and I was calm the entire time.

I think I will try to do this with the bridge as well. Lead him over first then ride over and if he hesitates, just wait him out. It may take a while but its worth it!!

Thanks again,
Liz

Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2000 - 12:41 am:

As I become "less young", I personally have more trouble with heights... my mare goes over bridges well, but I start to feel panicky about mid way.I live in Western WA state and there are lots of bridges, let me tell ya! Some even have roads that follow the river below the bridges, so not only is there a river full of salmon to deal with , but there are cars passing beneath as well! fun, fun! So, yep, I tend to dismount and lead my mare across--I figure it's good exercise for me and mare is getting more n more accustomed along the way (she is usually just fine with all of this...thank God she respects MY NEEDS! HA!)

Posted on Thursday, Jun 29, 2000 - 5:04 pm:

Update: I know it has been a while, but I have been practicing. My horse finally went over the bridge by himself YEAH! I ended up backing him up over it. It was very amusing.

First I did try to do things at home and I also went out with groups and he walked over the bridge just fine, even went first. So I knew he could do it.

Then, Tuesday, I was determined to have him go over the bridge by himself (its a very short way from home btw). So, we stood and walked up and back in front of the bridge about 1,000 times. Then he started getting mad and he was flying backwards (like a reiner, very cool). So I figured if he was so good at backing up then he could back up over the bridge. I backed him half way over and then turned around to face forward. I think he was truly SHOCKED! "Oh my gosh, we are on the bridge!" Then I walked him over and back. Then I tried to walk him over again and again resistance, so I backed him over again so he was "just" on the bridge and turned him around and walked him forward over. Then, the third time he went over willingly (toward trail & not toward home). I was very happy and I think he was very proud. Thanks again. Liz

Posted on Friday, Jun 30, 2000 - 12:59 pm:

Yippeee! Congratulations, Liz!
A friend of mine has a higher level dressage horse who decides, from time to time, that he (the horse) is not going to go forward because whatever out there is just too darn scary! My friend started backing him past things. This has been so succesful that when the horse decides scary things are out there, he automatically turns around and goes backward!

Posted on Monday, Jul 3, 2000 - 1:56 pm:

Cheryl: Thanks for your enthusiastic response. That's how I felt. I am so happy to hear about your friend and her horse. I was hoping it would be a good technique to use in the future.
Liz
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