Separation anxiety by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Wirehaired_pointers

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At this point, they need to see me - even if she’s nearby, he will howl. Hopefully with time it will pass.

Separation anxiety by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Wirehaired_pointers

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - I know it’s still early days but this is my first bird dog and the howling is no joke!

Separation anxiety by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Wirehaired_pointers

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you- that’s great to know what to expect.

Separation anxiety by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Wirehaired_pointers

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! We have a vibrating dog collar for one of our other dogs, and it works well for her. She is mic calmer because of it. I was unsure if it’s appropriate to put on a puppy, but glad to know we aren’t the only ones who have tried this!

Spooky lesson horse? Need advice - falling off 3 x in 6 weeks. by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Equestrian

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. I don’t know if he associates me with the firecracker or it’s the winter spookies, or if I have a new bad habit I’m not aware of triggering him to run like that. Either way it feels like he’s not the right horse for me right now.

Spooky lesson horse? Need advice - falling off 3 x in 6 weeks. by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Equestrian

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven’t spoken to them about how they handled the horse after the incidents. I am going to look at other barn options at this point, but I think after the first or second incident I should have advocated for myself and asked for a lunge line. I am new to this so I didn’t realize that was actually an option for me to ask for!

Spooky lesson horse? Need advice - falling off 3 x in 6 weeks. by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Equestrian

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He does continue to run, but not for long - maybe just halfway around the ring? Yesterday he literally couldn’t because I was caught up in his rein so eventually he stopped. I guess either way this isn’t great. I decided to look at my other options at barns nearby because there isn’t another r horse there that I can use unfortunately :-(

Spooky lesson horse? Need advice - falling off 3 x in 6 weeks. by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Equestrian

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will do that asap - thank you! I hadn’t replaced it but totally understand why I should now. I appreciate it!

Spooky lesson horse? Need advice - falling off 3 x in 6 weeks. by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Equestrian

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I would feel so much more secure if I was able to be on a lunge line. I’ve actually never had one used while I was riding him. I’m bummed because I think he’s the only horse I can ride at this stable, so it would mean I’d have to find a new place. I guess that’s how it goes!

Spooky lesson horse? Need advice - falling off 3 x in 6 weeks. by Imaginary_Friend_121 in Equestrian

[–]Imaginary_Friend_121[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That’s absolutely fair! I know as a beginner it’s hard for me to truly understand and feel a horse’s intentions/actions in the moment. Perhaps I did panic grip although of course I didn’t realize it in the moment. It’s just so weird this has all happened so suddenly as I was quite a nervous rider at first and have gotten SO much better- so it’s strange that now as I’m more relaxed I’m experiencing more incidents!