Training a horse to accept a crouper?

Question

I am riding a little mare who really needs a crouper to be comfortable. Her saddle rides up her (nonexistent) withers very badly. She will never be a high level horse, but with a crouper she could be a decent little pleasure mare. However, her response to a crouper is VIOLENT bucking. She seems to be very sincerely terrified by its presence. We have been trying to lounge her with it and get her used to wearing one, but she never settles to it. We have also tried putting string or twine under the tail instead of the thick crouper, she still bucks. Something about it makes her completely insane. Does anyone have any advice?

Just a little extra info, she is an arabian mare in her early teens. She has supposedly been used for breeding in the past as well. That's the only history I have on her.

Answer 1

I would disagree with putting her in her stall..she might injure herself badly.

The fact that even a twine under her tail brings on this reaction means she is super sensitive for some reason.

If she is just going to be used for pleasure, why not get a non- slip ,built up wither pad and forget about the crupper?  She is liable to injure herself if this keeps up.

Answer 2

the fact that your arab is having these issues may stem back to her breeding days.

i suggest putting her in her stall, tacking her up, and putting the crouper on her, in the stall.  let her stay in there for a few minutes with it on.  remove it, and praise.  keep doing this until she is fine with the whole deal, then take her out of the stall, and go hand graze.  slowly adjust her time with it, before asking her to carry you with "this thing" on her.

while in her stall with the crouper on, offer her some grain.  horses are very relaxed while they eat.  this would be a good time to "monkey" with her.  you could also groom her, itch her favorite spots.  show her that it's not a big deal.

also, when she freaks out, don't let it ruffle her.  pretend she's not doing anything.  this will help calm her down.