Riding Madam-spook-alot

[NuttyMare]

any advice? when she spooks at something she refuses to go near it, or anywhere within 50 metres of it! Can somebody help me?

[bexj]

I'd advise you to try working on the ground with her - try some Parelli/Monty/Kelly Marks etc etc to try and gain her trust on the ground. Have you had her long?

Is it the same things she spooks at all the time - if so, try from the ground to get her to approach the offending object, using loads of praise when she steps even 1mm in the right direction. Eventually you can encourage her to touch it:D

If its something like a plastic bag, then you can hide treats in it and encourage her to explore it and eventuallt "groom her" with it. But all the practitioners mentioned above explain it much better.

Good luck:D

[NuttyMare]

Originally posted by bexj
I'd advise you to try working on the ground with her - try some Parelli/Monty/Kelly Marks etc etc to try and gain her trust on the ground. Have you had her long?

Is it the same things she spooks at all the time - if so, try from the ground to get her to approach the offending object, using loads of praise when she steps even 1mm in the right direction. Eventually you can encourage her to touch it:D

If its something like a plastic bag, then you can hide treats in it and encourage her to explore it and eventuallt "groom her" with it. But all the practitioners mentioned above explain it much better.

Good luck:D

unfortunately she's not my horse...

[bexj]

Ah. Whose horse is she? How often do you ride her?

[NuttyMare]

Originally posted by bexj
Ah. Whose horse is she? How often do you ride her?

she belongs to my riding school and i have a lesson every week it depends who im riding you see.

[bexj]

Ok - thats a lot harder to deal with as no-one will carry on your good work with her when you're not there. So I'd say just ride her as strong as you can towards the object, which I know is easier said than done. If you work in open order, then I'd try and work to too close to the object, but gradually get nearer and nearer.

Not sure if this answer suits your situation, so try to give us as much info as possible, and I'm sure you'll get some good replies

[shandy84]

Chantella is still a real baby and wont have had much life experience in the situation you are in just make sure your signals are clear as frightened youngsters can get very confused and push on with squeezing of the leg don't kick a youngster, and be positive through your seat hopefully she will get better the longer she's there