Ridecamp: Re: [RC] spooking

In a message dated 8/30/2002 4:49:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, maligatr2@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> I have a young endurance prospect that will jump to the side and then take 
> off in the opposite direction when spooked. 


I have a youngster that was doing that.  First horse in a long time that would take off when spooked (he once left and was missing for two days).  I did lots of round pen work and had a trainer work with us on "de-sensitization" stuff.  I thought there was no way this jumpy guy was going to desensitize, but it worked!  In an arena we practiced spooking him on purpose and me getting him stopped (first from the ground on long lines and then while mounted).  Actually, the first phase of the training was to LET him run, eventually he decided that running wasn't such a great idea.  We started with little stuff and worked up to more scary things.  Worked with him like that for about 30 minutes a day for two weeks (I think eventually we bored him to death to tell you the truth <g>).  He still spooks, but he has yet (knock on wood) to run away again.   hope this helps and good luck!


Sylvia