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Discussion on Horse is listening to and anticipating what show annoucer is saying
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 18, 2002 - 10:06 am:
Hi, My 15 year old Morgan has just started showing with me after a 5 year vacation from everything! He seems to enjoy the spotlight and gets really excited about entering the ring. We start out great and as soon as the trotting is over and the announcer asks for the walk he knows the canter is next. (This is Saddleseat). He takes two walking strides and automatically starts out on a real powerful canter. I have had a couple judges tell me how much they like him but he loses his mind when we do a change of the rein and go clockwise. ( this does not happen as much when on the left rein)
My question is, how can I relax him and take the anxiety out of that transition. I was going to take a month off from showing and just do walk trot transitions both directions and no cantering. I am not sure if that would be good for him though because he picks up the wrong lead often when working on the right rein. I am so confused$%$#^@^^@##^
I look forward to many responses! thanks!
Heather
hnewfroc@rochester.rr.com
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Posted on Monday, Jul 22, 2002 - 7:21 am:
Hello Heather,
I guess everyone is away on vacation. Let me give you these references:
~ Training Horses: Training the Mind of Your Horse: The Correct Lead
~ Training Horses: Behavioral Problems: Calming the Nervous or Excited Horse
Actually both Training subtopics: Training the Mind and Behavorial Problems have a number of articles and discussions that apply to this situation spend a little time banging around and you will find a number of helpful pointers.
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jul 22, 2002 - 12:44 pm:
In practice, can you have a friend simulate the announcer calling the ride (as it normally is called) and ask your horse to do other things instead? You want your horse listening to you, not the announcer and not the other horses in the ring.
Perhaps you can have several friends do a practice show to work on this?
My dog started doing his obedience exercises when my instructor would speak and not me. We had to desensitize the dog to his voice and teach him to wait for my cue. The instructor would say lots of nonsense and I'd give my cues before, during, after and never while the instructor spoke.
Your horse probably wants to please and knows the drill. So, he is being too obedient. Hope this helps.
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Posted on Monday, Jul 22, 2002 - 5:03 pm:
I had a problem with my old mare when I used to event her. Its definetely a particular personality that does this. I would have the problem during dressage tests. She would have the test memorized after only 4 rides. When you compete at the same level for a whole season its a problem. I found that if I just thought about the next move in the test, that was enough to let her know. I have had several horses since and none of them were the same as her. Even holding them in anticipation of them doing an unsheduled canter depart will set them off. Try just sitting there pretending that your going to walk forever, or pretending that when you walk the class is over, or maybe just pretend your on a trail ride. When you do ask for the canter make sure your not holding his head too much, it gives them something to push into and run off. You might have to sacrifice a few classes for schooling purposes. I think it might be well worth it. Sometimes they just know when its not the "real thing", the little stinkers.
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Posted on Monday, Jul 22, 2002 - 11:42 pm:
Thanks everyone! I will let you know how it goes. We have our first big competition together at the NYS Fair Collesium. They are holding the NYS Morgan Show there. We are either gonna nail it or BLOW IT! Either way, I will try to be a big girl and chalk it up to learning..
Thanks,
Heather
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 23, 2002 - 6:09 pm:
Heather -
What a super photo. Even if your horse runs away with you at the show, you'll look great!
Cheers. Have a good, fun show.
Chris
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