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Re: [RC] new horse? - heidiHi I'm Melissa(primarily a lurker) and I have a questions for the trainers out there. I looked at a very nice CTR/endurance prospect this weekend and am torn. This Arab (not completely sure if I speak Arabian yet) is 8 has Competitive orienteering under her belt and goes real well with a soft mouth. I rode her and she rides great. The problem is she is EXTREMELY head shy(most especially around her ears). It was a battle to get the bridle on. Is this something a newbie can train this horse out of with time and patience or since she is 8 is this a permanent thing? I'm not sure if I buy her I'm biting off more than I can chew as my current older Arab has no vices to train away. What are some thoughts? Thanks in advance for your time. First thing I'd start with is a good dental evaluation to see if part of the problem is due to pain. And follow up with chiropractic. Once that is done, and one has either ruled out or eliminated pain as a part of the problem, then yes, with most horses you CAN work this out. Start with a bridle that unbuckles so that she gets used to being bridled without a fight. Separate that part of it from handling her ears. Work on that as a different project. Once you can handle her ears while not attempting to bridle her AND she is used to being bridled without a fight because it doesn't involve her ears, you can likely work back into doing it the normal way. Heidi ============================================================ When you ask a Quarter horse for something he says - Sure - and when you ask an Arab for something he says - Why? - ~ Heidi Smith ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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