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Re: [RC] need advice about spooking/bolting - Elizabeth WalkerIn his case, I think I would try Sheila's advice. Even if there isn't a hill around (and assuming you can get back on), do so, then work the snot out of him right there in the area where he spooked. Do little circles, backs, canter circles, reverses, whatever. When you are done, let him stand there and process for a minute or so, then start back out at a walk, and continue on.The other thing you might try in an attempt to avoid the involuntary dismount in the first place is to keep his mind busy in those places where you know he will try this. Break up the trotting with a circle now and then. If it is a field, do some "ring work". If you know some dressage, ask him for shoulder in on one bend, then the other. Do half-pass from one side of the road to the other. Could be he is just a bit bored, and he is trying to, em, "liven things up". :) On Sep 1, 2009, at 9:27 PM, Barbara McCrary wrote: What advice does anyone have regarding a 13 year old Arab gelding that spooks six feet sideways, suddenly, violently, so fast that I'm off before I realize it is happening? He's rock solid on treacherous trails, never spooks on endurance rides, but trot him on an open road or field, and I'm fair game to him. I'm fairly sure he is playing games with me, because he's had opportunity to blow up under some really unusual situations, but he doesn't. Only on open roads at a trot. Things like ferns and rocks and logs on the side of the road will precipitate this "pull the tablecloth out from under the silverware" technique. Then he stands and looks at me as if he wonders what I'm doing on the ground. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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