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[RC] affecting the horse - Jonni JewellSteph indeed brought up some great points. Our animals pick up so much more from us than many of us realize. One of my "games" I like to try, is when I am heading in from a ride, and I am coming to an intersection that one direction goes "home", and the other, back out on to the trails, I give the horse their head, relax my seat, and look ahead on to the trail that goes back on to the trail. Picture in my mind going that way, and concentrate on it. Well, a horse that knows a trail system well, will almost always take the turn towards home, but very often, just my thoughts, I find I can have the horse NOT turn towards home. If you have a horse that is spooky and goofy at things along the trail, try this. Next time you see that stump, bush, rock, plastic bag or what ever scary thing is up beside the trail that you are convinced your horse will spook at, do NOT stare at the item. Look past it, on up the trail, relax your mind from thinking that the horse will spook, and think about the trail beyond the scary item. if you find you are still waiting and worrying for that big spook, try singing to your horse. (you can not hold your breath and tense up when you sing) I find when I do NOT look at the spooky thing, and look beyond, the spook never comes, or at least is not as dramatic. Then, to test the theory, try really focusing on a spooky item, stare at it, keep it in your vision as you approach. The spooky horse usually will spook, and some who rarely spook, will do so if the riders is worrying about it. These are sensitive animals, that we often do not give enough credit for what they sense, feel, and think. If the rider is bold and brave, usually the horse will be also. Timid scare riders, often create timid scared, and spooky horses. Jonni =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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