Re: Spooking on trail

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

My usual response, when one of mine will zig into a bush or the other side of
the trail is a loud game show buzzer noise or "EXCCUUUSSSE ME!!!"  followed by
a smack with the crop and an opportunity to go by the horse-eating dead
fern or
white stump again.  If they continue on and don't spook at it again, that's
the
end of it.  If they spook again, we repeat the above scenario.  I never let
them think a spook is a good thing.  To me that's only inviting them to spook
worse -- and *always* at that spot in the future.  It's NOT okay that they
spook and leap to the other side of the road or into the bushes!!  There is no
niceness in my voice so they don't have any opportunity to think what they did
was acceptable. 

If they show some concern over something but continue on and don't do any
Meathead maneuvers off the trail, I will tell them that it's okay and "trot
on..."  

Sue 


>
> -----Original Message-----  
> From:   Lisa M Pardus [mailto:bludoglady@juno.com]  
> Sent:   Friday, August 24, 2001 3:23 PM  
> To:     ridecamp@endurance.net  
> Subject:        RC:   Re: Spooking on trail 
>
> Gee,  
>  I just softly with an quiet steady voice say,"uh-oh, what was that?" and  
> talk to my mare as I stoke her neck. I tell her "look at that, that is so  
> silly, that won't bite" etc. I call her a "silly mare" and keep my voice  
> steady and calm.  
>  I think the talking more than what I say is what helps. Letting her know  
> that I see it too and the soothing voice and touch really is what calms  
> the horses down. :0) IMHO 
>
> In His Hands,  
> Lisa P.  
> www.outbackacres.com  
> The Aussies:Possum, Boomer, Dusty, and Barley  
> Chat room ICQ #111639534