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Discussion on What SHOULD I have done??! | |
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Member: drlarry |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 11:37 pm: My four-year-old gelding has been coming along nicely in the round corral. My wife came out to see, and I was "showing off" the way he ground ties, and stands quietly while I throw a blanket all around him. He's done PERFECTLY with it every time. Till now.Something spooked him - I have no idea what - and off he ran. At a full gallop,'round and 'round, and every several steps, he stepped on the lead rope and JERKED his head, which upset him more. He completely forgot I was there, and he didn't look like he would ever stop. I kept saying, "This has never happened before," and I truly didn't know what to do. Of course I was afraid he'd crash into (or through) the fence, or bust a leg, or some other horrible thing, and even though I knew he'd eventually run out of steam, this was going on far too long. I think he must've gone around thirty or forty times. Finally, or course, I got him stopped, and calmed us both down, and all is right with the world again, but I think there must be a right way to have handled that, and I don't know what it was. Today was much more normal - uneventful really - though we didn't try ground tying. But we will again, and I'm anxious to hear what y'all think about all of this. Best! Larry |
Member: drlarry |
Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 11:39 pm: Sorry for the double-up. Operator error.... |
Member: maggienm |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 12:45 am: Hi Larry,I think your course of action would depend somewhat on how you read the situation. If your horse is really quite gentle and you are confident he will not hurt you(unintentionally)allow a round or two to get 'it' out then firmly speak whoa and use your body language to back it up. Speak reassuringly, perhaps hand walk a half round or so to get his mind calm. Then do something he knows well, give him confidence then go on with your lesson. At this point I don't think I would go back to what I was doing when the situation happened. I would work him a bit first,maybe quite a bit, then, if he seemed attentive and relaxed, I might repeat what he was doing just to give him a better memory. Then go on with the rest of your lesson, perhaps this is not the best day to introduce anything new. However, if your horse is acting really out of control,use your lunge whip if you have one or lead rope and attempt to cut him off and turn him. Don't try to actually stop him. Half way round turn him again, keep repeating this. This is hard work so it won't be long until he starts to slow down on his own. I wouldn't let him stop when he wants to tho. I would keep him going a few more turns. Spooking is one thing, every horse is allowed to be a bit scared of something, bolting out of control is quite another thing. That is very naughty. By keeping him going you are helping him understand that his behaviour was not appreciated. When you do let him stop, evaluate. Is he still wild eyed or is he over it? If he is over it see option one. If he is still a bit wild and likely breathing hard, see if you can keep him walking,if he will only trot, that is fine, either way keep turning him every 1/2 or 3/4 way. This will slow him down and get his mind on you. Thisis also a great time to practice whoa. Let him learn that whoa is a good thing, just don't let him decide when he stops. If he seems nervous of the area he spooked at slowly work your way over to it. You do need to keep at it until he is calm, relaxed and paying attention to you. Remember, you have to stay safe. |