by TrueColours » Sun Nov 13, 2005 9:43 am
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Oh yes ... had a few of those to deal with ... #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys//smiley13.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#As far as I am concerned, the philosophy that must be followed with ANY obstacle in the way (water included!) is "over, under or through" and I dont much care HOW they get to the other side, but they WILL get to the other side when I ask them to.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#One mare I had recently I think would rather have died than go through this big puddle in the sand ring. It took about 10-15 minutes to get her through it in one direction and about 2-3 minutes in the other direction but then she happily splashed through dozens of times after that and water was never an issue for her after that.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#We also made it a point to set up the jumps in the middle of the puddle, before the puddle, after the puddle, so she HAD to go THROUGH the puddle when she was asked to jump as well.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Initially, she was rearing and spinning, running backwards, or plain standing there refusing to move.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You need to get into a defensive riding position - sit back, put your legs more forward and spread your arms apart and form a wider "chute" with them. You can feel what they are feeling underneath you. If they are being pigheaded about it, you need to push the point and drive them forward. If they are shaking and genuinely afraid, if they give you one tentative step towards the puddle, scritch their neck and make a fuss over them and tell them what brave horses they are. Then once they stop shaking, ask for one more step and allow them to stand until they relax.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#NEVER allow them to turn away from it. They must ALWAYS face forwards towards the puddle or whatever obstacle they are taking exception to. Once you allow them to turn away from it, they are gaining the upperhand in the battle.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Always seek out puddles to ride through and make them go through the centre of it - not skirting off to the right or the left side, but smack through the middle and keep doing it until they relax and go exactly where you are pointing them.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Good luck! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
True Colours Farm
Breeders of unique coloured Thoroughbreds and Sport Horses - standing Guaranteed Gold, 16.1hh cremello TB stallion
http://www.TrueColoursFarm.com