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RE: [RC] [RC] Mare/confidence/rider safety/help - Long - Laurie DurginWell, join the club. I finally am starting to reride my mare after a fall. I think you may need more steps between riding around the farm and going on a local trail ride. Do alot of mundane riding to boost both your confidences first, only what is comfortable , then add one more thing. I also suggest you have an obstacle course. poles on ground, plywood on ground, barrels, tarp in small piece working it up to a bigger piece. Plastic bags on a stick that you follow around while whipping it on the ground, mylar balloons, stuffed animals on ground, let your immagination run rampant. Walk around this stuff , follow it, drag it--then trot it, rearrange it, etc. Start on the ground just leading her around it or over it. She will get used to handling new stuff, always try to stay calm. Add a calm down cue, like lowering head or facing it and standing and reward . Leadin lessons, learning to disengage her hips etc. When she acts silly , put her to work , on circles or lateral moves etc.All this stuff helps to build ocnfidence and trust for her to see you as the leader and safe base. Local trailrides can be dangerous . Some riders have very untrained horses, and then you could have drinkers etc. Just pick who you are riding with carefully. They may sabotage your work .....Try to find someone you can buddy up with to go with you. But then I too work alone, so I understand. But when I go to trailer ,I plan to meet up with someone..... If you need more specifics on what I mean I will let you know. There is some good stuff out there for exercises, "John Lyons on the Trail Tapes", Clinton Anderson had a good show or two on RFD-TV about despooking (though it is MY OPINION,that his exercises are 'too intense" sometimes and need to be scaled back for sensitive horses.) Good books out there. From: "Mel Copeland" <brio_gal@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Mare/confidence/rider safety/help - Long Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 09:27:26 -0400 _________________________________________________________________ Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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