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Debra Dove
Member
Username: 9193
Post Number: 127
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 12:47 am: |   |
Hi All,
I just saw a program featuring the event known as "Ride and Shoot"
I was curious how the horses got use to the sound of the pistol shot going off along side their heads. One of the riders showed the ear plugs that she uses on her horse. I have never seen ear plugs featured in any of the common horse catalogs and was wondering where you find these specific ear plugs. They looked like pom-pom balls on a string that attached to the headpiece of the bridle.
Are these things really effective at reducing the decible level of a pistol going off inches from a horse's head? I've often wished I could plug my horse's ears when he is in the trailer and we are being passed by all the semis on the road to give him some noise relief, but I don't think he would tolerate something jammed in his ears for very long..
Does anybody participate in this event? I would be curious to hear someone's story who has trained/ridden a horse in this wild and wooly event.
Smiles,
Debra |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 13887
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 7:27 am: | |
I was watching the Western Channel and between shows one of the horse handlers from Hollywood was talking about how they train and work horses and he spoke of ear plugs. But I have not seen these either have you googled it?
DrO |
Bill & Cam Russon
New Member
Username: Bunkhous
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 8:48 am: | |
Debra
If you will go to a website called (sass) which is the single action shooters society and find the link for mounted shooting you should be able to find what you are looking for.
Bill |
Bill & Cam Russon
New Member
Username: Bunkhous
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 9:00 am: | |
Debra
doversaddlery.com has ear plugs. Good luck
Bill |
Mary E Adams
Member
Username: Ntucket
Post Number: 41
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 9:39 am: | |
I tried putting cotton in ears for clipping and shipping, and plugs for riding in a big scary indoor arena with loud mysterious sounds. Got the plugs from Dover Saddlery, they were dense foam shaped like a wine stopper. I think they have the pom pom ones now.
The cotton stayed in better, but it may have been because I was reluctant to insert the plugs as firmly as needed. The horse was able to shake them out. If he didn't get them out immediately, he forgot about them. Just like introducing anything else new, you have to get him used to you putting something in his ears. I think large puffs of cotton are a good start, just clean the inside of his ears often, then advance from there.
I use ear protection when I shoot, so it makes sense to try to deaden the concussion for your horse. I never tried shooting from my spooky horse - that would have been a once in a lifetime event worthy of 'World's Funniest Videos'
Good luck, sounds like fun!
Mary |
Lilo
Member
Username: Lilo
Post Number: 199
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 - 2:28 pm: | |
Hi all,
My son participated in the Westernaires, a drill riding team based in Jefferson County, Colorado. (Actually, all three of my kids did, for varying amounts of time).
Anyway, one can train horses to get used to the noise of pistols going off. They had a mock battle (cavalry & indians) in an indoor arena at many of their shows. Talk about noise! All these kids racing around and shooting off their black-powder pistols. The training took some time, however. I know they started with fire crackers at first. Those horses may have liked earplugs, but I am not aware of anyone using them.
My son used the same mare when he was an "Indian" and later in "Cavalry", and she was alway so excited to get going into battle. I guess all that racing around was fun for the horses.
Lilo |
Michele Kathrein
New Member
Username: Kathrein
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 10:56 am: | |
Hi Debra,
For a cheap ear plug you can get a tampon, wet it then stick in the dryer. You can also cut off the end of a pair of nylons and stuff it full of cotton then tie a knot in the end. Both work really well and are easy to make.
Good luck,
Michele |
Debra Dove
Member
Username: 9193
Post Number: 131
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 11:31 am: | |
Ummmm....Does it matter if you use regular or super???
Sorry Michele...These visuals are giving me the giggles.... That would be one load of clothes I had better get out before my kids and husband rifle thru..
And..I am already losing memory acuity... If I was seen at the barn trying to stuff a tampon into my gelding horse's ears.....
The nylon idea has potential...
Smiles and grins,
Debra |
Fran C
Member
Username: Canter
Post Number: 335
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 1:29 pm: | |
Oh! Way too funny Debra...thanks for the chuckle!!! |
