Jenny Major Horsemanship: What's the story, Jackanory?

Jack was born on the Quantock Hills and sold for very little money to a lady in Somerset, who wanted him as a companion for her older horse. This owner realised that he needed some specialist training and so contacted Sarah Weston, who went to do some handling with him back in 2011. Sarah made fantastic progress with him, but his owner still found she was struggling to put the concepts into practise. I lived only a few miles from Jack and knowing I needed case studies, Sarah kindly put me in touch with Jack's owners, and I went along to help. I did several sessions over about a month, during which time we made significant progress. I was able to put Jack's head collar on, touch all over his body and did a small amount of leading around the barn he was in. He wasn't easy- he had learnt that if he turned his bottom and threatened to kick, then his handler would move out of the way, and he would also try biting and barging. I really felt he would benefit from being able to go out in the field, and let off some of the pent up energy and frustration he so clearly felt. However, his owner was worried that she wouldn't be able to catch him again.

Using advance and retreat with the feather duster to encourage Jack to accept touch.

Jack's owner decided it was unfair to keep Jack in the barn, and didn't feel she was able to continue handling him on her own. Having made such progress with this bold little guy I was extremely determined to find him a home. I contacted everyone I could think of, but no-one could take him. I then suggested that if his owner would have him gelded, I would take him. Thankfully, the work I had done with him was ideal preparation for the vet's visit, and Jack accepted the sedative easily from the vet. A couple of weeks later he arrived at his new home, and was put straight out in the field with some new friends....

Jack catching up on 'being a horse'

Jack spent the next couple of weeks in the field socialising, playing and eating grass. Having being kept in isolation in a barn for half of his short life, I felt it was so important for him to be allowed time just to be a horse and catch up on his social skills. I did very little with him for a couple of weeks. When I did start working with him again, the change was remarkable. He allowed me to approach using advance and retreat and give him a lovely deep rub with my hands. I began bringing him onto the concrete yard during the day with my big Irish Draught horse, who comes in on a daily basis to keep his feet in good condition. Whereas it had previously taken as long as half an hour to get the head collar on I was now able to achieve this in just a few minutes. So much of the pent up frustration had disappeared.

Jack enjoying a cool shower on a warm day, spring 2012

Jack is now 3 years old, and through gentle work, on a 'little and often' basis it would be difficult to know he was once a semi- feral pony. I rasp his feet which are in great condition. He now long lines confidently through the lanes and bridleways, and I have started gently bellying over him. He enjoys a shower and is the first one to investigate anything new- you can't leave anything within nibbling distance! I try and designate at least one day a week as 'Jack day'- and aim to continue to incrementally build his confidence and trust to nurture his naturally bold and inquisitive nature.