Re: RC: "cinchy" horses

[BMcCrary27@aol.com]

We have one young gelding who is cinchy; he was this way as his trainer began 
trining him to the saddle.  He would become very anxious and sometimes throw 
himself on the ground, then become sort of catatonic.  The trainer was a very 
sensitive and understanding person, not given to force or punishment.  She 
asked around the vet and old-timer circles and came up with the following:  
Vet said it's possible for the horse to have pinched nerves, Old-timers said 
some horse are just like that and it's not something the trainer or rider has 
done.  Another viewpoint held that the horse felt claustrophobic, i.e. the 
cinch was confining him and he was scared.  So between the trainer and myself 
we worked out a procedure.  Put on the saddle and wait a few moments for the 
horse to become accustomed to it.  Buckle girth on the loosest notches and 
wait a few moments.  In the beginning I had to lead him around a few steps or 
at worst, let him walk circles around me on a halter rope until he relaxed.  
Then I would take up notches on the girth, one set at a time, watching his 
reaction each time.  If he appeared anxious, I'd lead him a few steps, then 
take up another notch on the girth.  Finally, when the girth was snug enough 
to allow me to mount safely, I'd get on and walk him out.  Fortunately, he 
did not react to being mounted or ridden and did not throw himself on the 
ground with me on him.  I'd ride about 1/2 mile, then check the girth while 
still mounted.  It usually needed taking up one notch.  Then we were home 
free and off for a ride.  This has been a gradual process for about a year, 
but gradually he is becoming less reactive to the process.  As long as I show 
him the saddle, put it on carefully and not hurry in girthing him, he's 
gradually gotten over his anxiety.  I had one well-meaning person offer to 
"cure" him of throwing himself on ground by tieing him up with a rope under 
his tail.  I answered, "Yes, and how do you suppose he's going to react to a 
crupper in the future?  If you want to try this procedure with a horse you go 
buy your own horse, but you're not trying this with one of ours".  My own 
procedure is working, the youngster is overcoming his anxiety (he's coming 6 
in May), and he's not been traumatized by some forceful procedure.  Some 
horses can tolerate a little force or punishment and some can't.  I decided 
this one would not be improved by punishment. He's going to be a really nice 
horse in a couple of years (needs to mature), safe, trusting, and a dream to 
ride (very smooth).

Barbara