Re: Re: crops and stuff...

["Tracey" <tracey@tbt.co.za>]

Kriss wrote:


>In a perfect world all of our training could be done "down home on the
farm".>

I disagree.  I can think of nothing more boring for a horse than staying in
for ages, being trained, until he was deemed "acceptable" to be taken out in
public.  If that were true, Toc and I would still be working in the school
after five years!

>Especially if they have a background as a previous performance horse.  You
must continue to maintain control of your horse, and continue to use the
aids you used on the farm until you are sure your horse understands and will
behave.>

And, every so often, you need to use artificial aids (like the crop / spurs)
which you don't NEED at home, to maintain control.

>Just a thought-how do you correct the behavior of your horses at a public
event???>

I tend to pray a lot.  Don't go to mass anymore, because I get in more Hail
Mary's doing a dressage test on Toc than I would in a three hour Latin Mass!


>What is your technique for dealing with a horse who might have a multitude
of behavioral problems which developed previously at a racetrack or other
place?  Maybe we can learn something here!>

I would love to hear from people with OTT TBs as to how they deal with their
horses when the bell goes.   Toc goes absolutely dilly as soon as the bell
goes - launches himself six feet in the air and lurches forward.  Fine
during the XC or SJ phases, but a bit, um, different, during the dressage.
Anyone with any suggestions?  And please don't do a Mark on me and say "sit
tight" or I may just go off the deep end!


Tracey