Re: RC: sense of self-preservation (the equine variety)

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/2/99 2:48:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, RISTREE@aol.com 
writes:

<< However . . .   what are the chances that this guy just doesn't have the 
 strong sense of self preservation required for our sport?  He's a talented 
 dressage horse, and could be *just* that, but I'm wondering if any of you 
 have experienced the same bizarre behavior in a young horse and found that 
 the horse did, or did not, grow out of it with miles and consistent training.
  >>

Hi Patti, I was amazed at how similar your story was to what happened to a 
friend of mine when she was out riding yesterday.  If I hadn't heard that 
story, I would probably be telling your that your horse's sense of 
self-preservation isn't strong enough for an endurance horse.  But after 
hearing her story.....I'm not so sure.  Here's what happened:  She was riding 
on a fairly steep wide trail when a deer jumped out between her and the horse 
ahead of her, spooked her horse who then literally dove at a gallop off the 
side of the hill.  Luckily, no trees or other impediments all the way to the 
bottom and she was able to "ride it out".  Here's the kicker:  her horse is 
23 years old, dead-broke, kids can ride him, super sensible, nice trail 
horse.  If that particular horse can have, as you so eloquently put it, a 
brain fart, any horse can.  Maybe your guy will settle with more miles and 
only you can tell if his sense of self-preservation is developing, guess the 
bottom line is I don't know the answer to your question!!!!  Aren't horses 
fun? Also (and I'm guilty of this) try not to ride alone until he settles 
down.  Watching the older horses (unless they're  cliff diving) can really 
help the young ones.  Good luck!!!

Sylvia


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