Annh

[Dummer&Drummer]

Hi, did you still need me to get some advice from my instructor tonight and if so cant quite remember the prob?

something to do with desensitising her so you can ride in the dark in the week? but not an option to lead her on the ground and no over horse to give you a lead?

[ANN H]

Yes, thanks. The problem is that for some strange reason she doesn't like being in the paddock in the dark. Its surrounded by fields and there's a very scary horse-eating fox in there! I would perservere and try and stay on her, but she's like a wild animal, snorting and pawing the ground and absolutely uncontrollable. Its useless to try and lunge her either. I've tried working up to it by starting lunging in the dusk. to trying to ride at night, but nothing seems to make any difference. She's spooky at the best of times! If I ride her in the paddock during the week in the morning, she's absolutely fine. Its bugging me 'cos as you know our hacking has come on in leaps and bounds. If I don't see your thread tomorrow its only because I'm off work - so no computer! Thanks again. Ann

[Dummer&Drummer]

OK i've printed off your reply and will let her have a look at it tonight and let you know :)

[Dummer&Drummer]

hi annh

i spoke to my instructor and was not much help sorry, she was at a bit of a loss if you cant lunge or get a lead or do any ground work she is not sure what to suggest. she did say that if it is 'poor lighting', which i think i heard you mention, this is the cause - not the dark or dusk. in our school we have special lighting that does not cause shadows and our arena is very brightly lit, she said most horses would react to poor lighting - not sure if this helps, but may be due to that rather than the dark :rolleyes: sorry not to have got any more info, good luck

[ANN H]

Thanks anyway. I think it is the poor lighting/shadows scenario. Our paddock is supposed to be floodlit but the lights are too dim and too high (probably worse than having none at all!) Never mind, I'll perservere. Had a lovely ride yesterday morning as I took the day off work. She was v. good as well. Thanks again.