young horse, spooking advice

[svenja]

Hello, was wondering if I could have some advice (this is a bit long). I have had my mare about a month. She is a five-year old Akhal Teke, off the race track (has only done light `normal' work for three months after having a couple of months off). I ride her three times a week and long-rein her for 20 min once a week (I can only make it to the stables four times a week). She then gets lunged for about 20 min twice a week, leaving her one day off.
She gets turned out two to three hours a day in the school or a paddock (I'd rather she spent all day in a big field but here in Moscow I was lucky to find a place that turns horses out at all.) Pielena is very fresh and highly strung. There is a building site behind the arena, and LOTS of things to be frightened of -big dogs, very noisy construction, the occasional truck going in and out of the site. I am taking things very slowly with her and she is doing well, but on a bad day she wil go nuts at some of the noise. I try and steady her and work as usual. Questions:
1. The ridden work she does is light schooling and one session in the field/hacking, for about 45 minutes. On top of the groundwork, is this too much?
2. Re: the spooking. I know that on some occasions she is taking the mickey. But then there are so many noises/ things to spook at that a lot of it is genuine. She's getting better, but with all these new noises around her, is she going to end up a nervous wreck, or will she eventually get used to it ?
thanks in advance!

[teabiscuit]

i've got a spooky T.B. I think it's his nature. he'll always be fearful,but i can get him used to things on a regular route by repitition.
he's much more relaxed in the calm company of an old faithful.
diet wise he gets fibre and a bit of oil in chaff, plus vits and mins,as anything else sets him on edge.
tried a herbal calmer which helped him quite a bit (naf made it)
lots of things you can do to help her, i know it can be a pain but my lad tries his best so i can't ask for more really. i think your girl is probably trying hard too.
some famous chap once said being a t.b. was the scariest job in the world (because they're so fearful) i don't know if akhel tekes are the same, i've always admired them by the way, stunning horses.

[svenja]

I think you're right, she is trying- and some of the stuff going on next to the yard --Russian construction workers seem to love doing stuff like beating metal containers with large sticks-- is very scary indeed.... akhal Tekes I think have a similar temperament to TBs, very loyal, attached to one owner and very intelligent (read incredibly stubborn). I just sometimes think she may be taking the p*ss as when I force her to carry on after a spook she squeals to show she isn't happy:rolleyes:

[jovi_y2k2]

star is rather spooky but most of it with him was down to too much energy so he is on an almost pure fibre diet and a calmer which helped, and also when riding i was advised just to sit quietly but ride firm, and when he spooked not to make an issue of it so just to carry on riding as if he hadnt spooked, he soon realised that spooking didnt get him out of work and got better, still tries it on every now and again

[teabiscuit]

schooling helps too, e.g if i can use leg yielding to get him to move forward without him having to look at the scary object.
the construction sight sounds very scary :eek:

[Zarney]

What are you feeding her, maybe she has too much energy, also you could try magneisum in her food thats good to help calming.

Have you tried de-spooking her at home so she gets used to odd things and noises, my tb is spooky sometimes,and I have done lots of work with him at home, with plastic bags, road cones etc. I also have a recording of general noises, cars, planes, people dogs etc. and play that to him when we are de-spooking and he is a lot better now. Also walking out in hand is useful you have more control with a bridle on, and take them to look at scarey things.

Where did you get you akhel teke from ?

Dont see many in the UK.