Re: Blowing and snorting endurance horses!

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

>Anyway, that morning, we saw a total of 8
>deer, came within 100 feet of two of them. No Camo, not
>being quiet, dog with us, etc. Thinking of hiring ourselves
>out as spotters or flushers!
>

We frequently see deer along our trails, some of which are as close as 100'
away.  The don't spook and run off and our horses will keep right on going,
most of the time not paying them any attention.  We usually move along
quickly so that the dogs (2 golden retrievers) will have to work to keep
up...and hopefully go right on by the deer without realizing their
presence.  Doesn't always work -- Kali, the youngest (age 2), has taken off
after them a couple of times.  Quite comical actually -- watching the deer
bounding thru the trees, leaping up like PePe LePeiu, with a dog doing the
same, only a distance behind, and done almost as gracefully as the deer!
;-)  Sort of resembles a Saturday morning cartoon.  Kali eventually gives
up and comes back.  It's the only time I've ever had trouble calling her
back from something.  Normally she's a star in that department -- it just
seems the deer have a bit more power holding her attention! We're working
on it tho...don't know if success is in the cards with this one, tho. ;-)  

So, I'd vote for a horse blowing a bit not being as scarey to the deer as
those funny looking, strange smelling predators with big metal weapons who
hide in the bushes -- or leaping, bouncing golden retrievers. <g>  Luckily
where we ride is a "no hunting" area.  I'd probably have to leave the
canine Pepe LePieu at home.

Sue
-------
Sue Brown
Tyee Farm
ARICP Certified Riding Instructor
Recreational Riding and Dressage
Marysville, Wa. 
sbrown@wamedes.com