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Re: [RC] Spooking and punishment - JL Thompson

Thanks Ed.  Of the 4-5 times that this has happened (him spooking while being led and stomping my foot in the process) I did nothing to punish him the first two times.  After that, I saw that a definite problem was developing (him spooking towards me) so I chose to get after him.  The second he jumped and hit my foot, I turned around, yelled "Aaaccchhh!" at him and used the end of my lead line to whack him across the chest once or twice.  Then I simply turned around and kept leading him.  Each time I did this he backed up as quickly as he could as soon as I yelled and swatted him, and then dropped his head and led very quietely, almost morosely, after that.
 
I really think this is related to his stall confinement.  He is not a typically spooky horse.  He went from 24/7 turnout his whole life to confinement in a 12x24 space for the last 2 1/2 months.  I think he has too much energy that is not being expended and I think he is also frustrated.
 
Gee, only 2-3 more months of this to go!  :(
 
Jennifer


-----Original Message-----
From: Ed & Wendy Hauser
Sent: Jul 12, 2004 8:13 PM
To: JL Thompson
Cc: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] Spooking and punishment

My feeling is that the invasion of space (which is dangerous, obviously) trumps the spook.  The rebuke should be instant, effective and short.  A whip of the lead rope at his nose, a quick slap with a whip carried in the other hand can be used.  Getting mad usually results in a punishment that instead of lasting < 1 second, lasts > 30 seconds.  After he no longer spooks into you, you can start on a program designed to despook, but not before.
 
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser
2994 Mittower Road
Victor, MT 59875
 
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