[RC] Was Question about fear; Now Spooking - Dyane Smith
Isn't Zayante a famous spooker with some age on him? I notice they
mostly ride him in the desert. Keeping Barbara's comments about not
wanting to spook 12' sideways and 100' down (that would be a deal breaker for
me, too), I wonder if anyone has ridden Zayante on narrow, twisty, high mountain
trails with mountain lions and bear to spook at?
> I was reading some emails on "Fear" that some people had
emailed in. I had a question: Do horses really trust us enough that they
could learn not to spook while your riding them? I have a 14 year old
NSH mare whom I've owned for several years,to this day she will spook at
any possible threat on the trail. I thought that sence we've been
together for so long she would trust me and feel safe enough not to do
this. Kind of like the trust a small child has in a parent.<
I don't think a horse will ever totally
not spook at something. I have ridden my mare for 8 years now, she
is currently 16. Sometimes she will go down the trail and never
miss a beat. Other times we can be going down the very same trail
and she will spook at something for what reason I have know idea.
Although she rarely spooks with out some type of notice. I may
feel a hesitation in her step or can see her take a look at
something. When I see these possible spook alerts I just say
something like "I see it" or "Yup". Often times that is enough for
her to know that I am aware of what she is concerned about and she will
go by without another thought. But there are still times we come
to the dead stop, the long way around the object, or the pussy foot it's
going to eat me routine. If only they could talk.
