Odin

Arrival & Background

Odin's first visit to Xenophon Equus Centre, was for a clinic he attended with his owner, Louwmarie Swanepoel. It soon became clear that he was not ready for the work we aimed for at the clinic.

Odin was a confident easy-going youngster, but he had become fearful and flighty, after complications with his castration. After being gelded, the wound became infected and Odin had to return to the veterinary clinic. He spent a month at the clinic and returned a different horse - gone was the trusting, easy-going youngster, Louwmarie knew before the operation. She now had a scared, insecure Odin to deal with.

Louwmarie could lead Odin, but not lunge him, without him pulling and running off. He reacted with fear every time a rug was removed from his back, although he had worn rugs all his life. He constantly looked tense, on edge and frightened. The smallest, most insignificant changes would upset him. Louwmarie laughingly said he would even notice when she wore different boots or a different jacket -and react to it. It seemed like Odin could just not overcome whatever it was that triggered this different behaviour.

Odin was 4 years old, the age where it would make sense for him to be backed - but there was no way that seemed possible with his general demeanor and over-reaction to day-to-day events and objects.

After the clinic, Louwmarie approached me and asked if she could send Odin to me for training, with the goal of doing pre-backing and eventually backing. We agreed to a training period of 4 months.

Training Goals

Desensitizing
Relaxation skills
Build confidence
Pre-Backing
Backing

I worked on neutralizing the effects of the emotional trauma he experienced after being gelded - desensitizing him to objects and building back trust in humans and also in the process, building his own self confidence. Initially he was low in ranking and self esteem, even in the paddock. I then turned Odin out with some mares, to help him fit in.

He had Body Stress Release treatments, physio and herbal remedies, all to help relax his mind and body.

Very slowly and gradually his confidence improved and by the end of the third month, his confidence had improved to the extent that he could be turned out with some of the boys. Pre-backing was going well, but he remained distant to a certain extent.

By the end of the 4 months, he was backed and our end goal reached.

However, Odin was starting to show more body language of a challenging, rather than a fearful horse. His challenges were executed through seemingly fearful maneuvers. It seemed, that at last the real Odin was beginning to emerge, although still tainted by the behaviour he learnt would give him comfort, and because of this, I asked if we could extend his training period with another month.

I switched tactics with him, and started treating him as a challenger. This proved very effective. The last phase was be to transfer this way of working with him, to Louwmarie, in order for her to continue her relationship with her horse, in a positive and beneficial manner.

Temperament

Odin's temperament changed from a confident youngster, to being fearful and flighty, after complications with castration and a month at the veterinary clinic.

These days, his self esteem has strengthened considerably whilst in training at Xenophon Equus Centre.

His core temperament is social/challenging. He is complex, interesting and expressive.