Crossing Bridges

TheMinda · 10-05-2009, 10:04 AM

I have just moved to a new barn - just down the street from the old one, but in order to get onto the dyke system to ride, there is a dreaded bridge that needs to be crossed.
My gelding will go over the bridge - all be it at breakneck speed and with tremendous fear - putting all involved in danger. The bridge is not wide enough for me to walk beside him - only in front (pretty scary situation). I have tried going behind his very calm bridge savvy buddy, but he still panics and bolts across.
Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. I am not even sure where to start!

singing tree · 10-05-2009, 10:59 AM

I would break this down. Decide that today is the day we work on bridge crossing. Have the buddy there if possible. Put the buddy in front standing on the bridge, and take your horse up to the bridge but not on it. Just stand there for a minute or so, talking to him, just letting him be. It he tries to move, just redirect his head to face the bridge , but stay calm. (You are on him, by the way). Then ask him to put one foot on. If he does, have him stand that way. If he puts it on and takes it off, ask again until he will leave it on. This is sort of like the way John Lyons teaches trailer loading. Then ask him to back the foot off. Rest and pet. Ask for the foot on again, then another step. Stop and stand. I think you get the idea. Back off again. Then front feet on and stop. Then back feet on and stop. The buddy should help with all this. When he is relaxed about it all, walk calmly across. Then follow buddy back, as long as everything stays calm. If he tries to rush going back, repeat from the beginning. Part of the beauty of asking him to back up as well as go forward is that he is listening to you instead of bolting through a difficult situation. Then ask your horse to go first. Go back and forth several times. Even if you don't get to ride anywhere on this particular day. This could take some time, (hours even, but hopefully not). But it will pay off in the long run in other difficult situations.

Let us know how it goes!

BarnBum · 10-05-2009, 11:31 AM

Do not train on it alone. Make it a "nice" bridge for him. Don't make him cross it, but just let him be "around" it on the ground preferably. I know you said its not big enough for you on the ground but sounds like he needs you to be on the ground and talk to him.

Picture of the bridge ?

TheMinda · 10-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Thanks for your replies - I now will have something to try. I will try to get a picture tonight - it will help clarify the problem and how to handle it (I hope!) Of course the other complication is that there is a gate at one end of the bridge as well!

I will post the pic as soon as I can.

thanks!

Amy · 10-05-2009, 11:50 AM

Wow, I would be really scared to cross a bridge that narrow. My mare was scared of a particular bridge for a while, because the cement color was different- the "white" colored cement used to scare her. But it was wide enough that I just led her back and forth across it. Could you get a lunge line, and stand one one side of the bridge, and do a parelli-style "yo-yo" game- sort of reeling hime in across the bridge to you, and backing him back over it, from the ground? If he doesn't know that "game" you'd have to teach him first....

SirenAlecto · 10-05-2009, 12:23 PM

Not sure how much money you're looking to put into this, but I think it's definitely safer to approach this problem in an arena. Now I don't know you, your horse, your confidence level and especially your confidence in your horse, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable addressing this on the trail, especially if the bridge had a dropoff and it wasn't wide enough to lead my horse across... but then again I can be a big chicken.

We recently had an obstacle/trail proofing clinic at my barn last month and they brought a mini-bridge which is what made me think of something like that for you? You put it in an arena in case your horse panics, they make them wide enough for you and the horse to fit on them, and I think you have more overall control that way. Anyway, here's something like what I'm talking about: http://www.classycoursesinc.com/ultimatetrailbridge.htm.

Horse Show Mom · 10-05-2009, 12:39 PM

Paitence and time, both in excess. We approached trailer loading the same way we try to introduce anything new. Any small step forward is rewarded and evenually they understand that this only brings on good things and there is nothing to fear. My daughters horse did not alway like to lead onto the trailer, not big fuss but alot of work and pushing to get hm in. Now all she does is walk up to the back of the trailer and tells him to get on, throws the lead rope over his back and he walks right in. He know that he has always come home and the there is a big hay bag and some grain and treats when he is on. Yesterday we had to persuade him to get off, that was a new one for us.

EquineAlberta · 10-05-2009, 03:27 PM

I agree with SA...work on it in an area. You don't even need a fancy bridge...a thick sheet of plywood on the ground would mimic the change in feeling and sound of the bridge. Once he goes over that, make walls on either side of the plywood similar to the real bridge...I am not sure what they look like, but you could use saw horses, jump rails. You could even cover the rails in coolers/blankets to make it more scarey.

I like to use food to help a really bridge nervous horse slow down about the process, so I keep my cookie hand low, to help the horse keep its head low. Each positive step gets a cookie break reward. The horse will associate the bridge with the cookies.

Once he leads across, then ride across the fake bridge and if he is good leave it for the day and try again the next day. Once he is good about that fake bridge, change it up a bit, maybe change the colour, put a pole on top, change the railing, put it up on low blocks (making sure it won't slip!), and/or change the location and see how he does. Once you can get him to go over at least 3 different looking fake bridges, he should be better able to go over the real one.

Karen

jjsimsez · 10-10-2009, 07:40 PM

i had a horse that wouldnt cross the scary bridge either. i treated it like i do when they wont cross water. since you cant stand beside id use a long lead and stand on the other side of bridge.
what i do is stand beside the horse. lead them up to bridge. have another person in back. use a long stick or lunge whip. I DONT SMACK THEM WITH IT!!!
person taps lightly.constantly. tap tap. its annoying and they will move forwards. then i turn around and repeat. several times till the horse crosses water/bridge with no hesitation or being scared. within a day i had her crossing the bridge. none of my horses would cross water when i got them. they all were doing it after 1 day.
im sure someone will say how bad or wrong this is, but it does work.

singing tree · 10-10-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjsimsez

i had a horse that wouldnt cross the scary bridge either. i treated it like i do when they wont cross water. since you cant stand beside id use a long lead and stand on the other side of bridge.
what i do is stand beside the horse. lead them up to bridge. have another person in back. use a long stick or lunge whip. I DONT SMACK THEM WITH IT!!!
person taps lightly.constantly. tap tap. its annoying and they will move forwards. then i turn around and repeat. several times till the horse crosses water/bridge with no hesitation or being scared. within a day i had her crossing the bridge. none of my horses would cross water when i got them. they all were doing it after 1 day.
im sure someone will say how bad or wrong this is, but it does work.

Well, it is just about how I teach trailer loading. The only thing different is l like to be controlling the whip tapping myself, so my timing is better as far as when to stop the tapping when they make a move forward. And you can do the same from the saddle.

jjsimsez · 10-11-2009, 07:08 AM

thk you singing tree. sometimes i get people riled up when i open my mouth in the training forum.is starting to give me a complex.

id like to be in both spots at once. but i cant. reason im in front is cause my helpers are learning horsepeople. im afraid they would get run over when horse goes forwards.first couple times they usually leap over the scary things.

in back they have long whip and can stay away from kicking range.
really works for the trailer. had 1 that nothing worked to get her in. tried food, waiting out her stubbornness, even drug her in with a belly rope. got smart and the tap tap was so very annoying.she'd load in 5 minutes.

no pain and no sores from fighting.
this one was a balker too. the tap tap from a saddle would get a little buck then id smack her neck. then she'd move. she was so hard headed. she was my sons horse. he got tired of riding so i sold her.

rideatennwalker · 10-12-2009, 08:33 PM

I can tell you now its not the bridge its self its the sound. I am taking it that its wood. I taught mine to cross wood bridges by taking a piece of 1/2 plywood and put on the ground and get him to walk across it after he does that well get you some wood pallats and and the plywood to the top of it nail it down and then get him to step up and walk across them I use two pallats. Teach it from the ground before you get in the saddle

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10-05-2009, 10:04 AM
TheMinda Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Vancouver BC Posts: 10	Crossing Bridges I have just moved to a new barn - just down the street from the old one, but in order to get onto the dyke system to ride, there is a dreaded bridge that needs to be crossed. My gelding will go over the bridge - all be it at breakneck speed and with tremendous fear - putting all involved in danger. The bridge is not wide enough for me to walk beside him - only in front (pretty scary situation). I have tried going behind his very calm bridge savvy buddy, but he still panics and bolts across. Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. I am not even sure where to start!

10-05-2009, 10:59 AM
singing tree Started Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 2,992	I would break this down. Decide that today is the day we work on bridge crossing. Have the buddy there if possible. Put the buddy in front standing on the bridge, and take your horse up to the bridge but not on it. Just stand there for a minute or so, talking to him, just letting him be. It he tries to move, just redirect his head to face the bridge , but stay calm. (You are on him, by the way). Then ask him to put one foot on. If he does, have him stand that way. If he puts it on and takes it off, ask again until he will leave it on. This is sort of like the way John Lyons teaches trailer loading. Then ask him to back the foot off. Rest and pet. Ask for the foot on again, then another step. Stop and stand. I think you get the idea. Back off again. Then front feet on and stop. Then back feet on and stop. The buddy should help with all this. When he is relaxed about it all, walk calmly across. Then follow buddy back, as long as everything stays calm. If he tries to rush going back, repeat from the beginning. Part of the beauty of asking him to back up as well as go forward is that he is listening to you instead of bolting through a difficult situation. Then ask your horse to go first. Go back and forth several times. Even if you don't get to ride anywhere on this particular day. This could take some time, (hours even, but hopefully not). But it will pay off in the long run in other difficult situations. Let us know how it goes! Last edited by singing tree : 10-05-2009 at 11:04 AM.

10-05-2009, 11:31 AM
BarnBum Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 6,655	Do not train on it alone. Make it a "nice" bridge for him. Don't make him cross it, but just let him be "around" it on the ground preferably. I know you said its not big enough for you on the ground but sounds like he needs you to be on the ground and talk to him. Picture of the bridge ? __________________ There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the pointless drama and people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus on the good. Life is too short to be anything but happy!!!

10-05-2009, 11:38 AM
TheMinda Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Vancouver BC Posts: 10	Thanks for your replies - I now will have something to try. I will try to get a picture tonight - it will help clarify the problem and how to handle it (I hope!) Of course the other complication is that there is a gate at one end of the bridge as well! I will post the pic as soon as I can. thanks!

10-05-2009, 11:50 AM
Amy Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chino Valley, AZ Posts: 677	Wow, I would be really scared to cross a bridge that narrow. My mare was scared of a particular bridge for a while, because the cement color was different- the "white" colored cement used to scare her. But it was wide enough that I just led her back and forth across it. Could you get a lunge line, and stand one one side of the bridge, and do a parelli-style "yo-yo" game- sort of reeling hime in across the bridge to you, and backing him back over it, from the ground? If he doesn't know that "game" you'd have to teach him first....

10-05-2009, 12:23 PM
SirenAlecto Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 448	Not sure how much money you're looking to put into this, but I think it's definitely safer to approach this problem in an arena. Now I don't know you, your horse, your confidence level and especially your confidence in your horse, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable addressing this on the trail, especially if the bridge had a dropoff and it wasn't wide enough to lead my horse across... but then again I can be a big chicken. We recently had an obstacle/trail proofing clinic at my barn last month and they brought a mini-bridge which is what made me think of something like that for you? You put it in an arena in case your horse panics, they make them wide enough for you and the horse to fit on them, and I think you have more overall control that way. Anyway, here's something like what I'm talking about: http://www.classycoursesinc.com/ultimatetrailbridge.htm. __________________

10-05-2009, 12:39 PM
Horse Show Mom Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central, NJ Posts: 289	Paitence and time, both in excess. We approached trailer loading the same way we try to introduce anything new. Any small step forward is rewarded and evenually they understand that this only brings on good things and there is nothing to fear. My daughters horse did not alway like to lead onto the trailer, not big fuss but alot of work and pushing to get hm in. Now all she does is walk up to the back of the trailer and tells him to get on, throws the lead rope over his back and he walks right in. He know that he has always come home and the there is a big hay bag and some grain and treats when he is on. Yesterday we had to persuade him to get off, that was a new one for us.

10-05-2009, 03:27 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,624	I agree with SA...work on it in an area. You don't even need a fancy bridge...a thick sheet of plywood on the ground would mimic the change in feeling and sound of the bridge. Once he goes over that, make walls on either side of the plywood similar to the real bridge...I am not sure what they look like, but you could use saw horses, jump rails. You could even cover the rails in coolers/blankets to make it more scarey. I like to use food to help a really bridge nervous horse slow down about the process, so I keep my cookie hand low, to help the horse keep its head low. Each positive step gets a cookie break reward. The horse will associate the bridge with the cookies. Once he leads across, then ride across the fake bridge and if he is good leave it for the day and try again the next day. Once he is good about that fake bridge, change it up a bit, maybe change the colour, put a pole on top, change the railing, put it up on low blocks (making sure it won't slip!), and/or change the location and see how he does. Once you can get him to go over at least 3 different looking fake bridges, he should be better able to go over the real one. Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

10-10-2009, 07:40 PM
jjsimsez Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: indiana Posts: 993	i had a horse that wouldnt cross the scary bridge either. i treated it like i do when they wont cross water. since you cant stand beside id use a long lead and stand on the other side of bridge. what i do is stand beside the horse. lead them up to bridge. have another person in back. use a long stick or lunge whip. I DONT SMACK THEM WITH IT!!! person taps lightly.constantly. tap tap. its annoying and they will move forwards. then i turn around and repeat. several times till the horse crosses water/bridge with no hesitation or being scared. within a day i had her crossing the bridge. none of my horses would cross water when i got them. they all were doing it after 1 day. im sure someone will say how bad or wrong this is, but it does work.

10-11-2009, 07:08 AM
jjsimsez Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: indiana Posts: 993	thk you singing tree. sometimes i get people riled up when i open my mouth in the training forum.is starting to give me a complex. id like to be in both spots at once. but i cant. reason im in front is cause my helpers are learning horsepeople. im afraid they would get run over when horse goes forwards.first couple times they usually leap over the scary things. in back they have long whip and can stay away from kicking range. really works for the trailer. had 1 that nothing worked to get her in. tried food, waiting out her stubbornness, even drug her in with a belly rope. got smart and the tap tap was so very annoying.she'd load in 5 minutes. no pain and no sores from fighting. this one was a balker too. the tap tap from a saddle would get a little buck then id smack her neck. then she'd move. she was so hard headed. she was my sons horse. he got tired of riding so i sold her.

10-12-2009, 08:33 PM
rideatennwalker Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 340	I can tell you now its not the bridge its self its the sound. I am taking it that its wood. I taught mine to cross wood bridges by taking a piece of 1/2 plywood and put on the ground and get him to walk across it after he does that well get you some wood pallats and and the plywood to the top of it nail it down and then get him to step up and walk across them I use two pallats. Teach it from the ground before you get in the saddle __________________ A True Horsewoman Does Not Look At A Horse With Her Eyes, But With Her Heart !!!!!!