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Discussion on Mounted police training method
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 3:01 pm:
I thought you all might enjoy this if you haven't seen it already. It would be a good thing to do when you're stuck riding in the arena due to mud and snow.
https://cde.frycomm.com/1X4af4a0c2a7074717.cde/page/8
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 7:27 pm:
Yea if we had an indoor arena .
I was in the mounted patrol many moons ago, Sam that crazy arab was actually my mounted patrol horse, he did wonderfully after practicing such stuff. One day they wanted us to be in the 4th of July parade, I didn't know if old Sambo was up to firetrucks with the sirens, fireworks, screaming kids, bands, cannons, flags well you get the picture. He handled it like he had done it his whole life...it really is good training. Hard to believe I can't clean his sheath huh?
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 11:44 pm:
Well, that wasn't part of the training!
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:25 am:
So where does one find smoke bombs to purchase? Can't say I've ever seen them at the local stores, but then again, was never looking for them, either...
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:56 am:
Perhaps Halloween stores? We have a couple which crop up every year. Another store we have locally is the Card Factory which sells party supplies; maybe they might have it? Of course, online is always a good try.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 8:09 am:
I audited the Lexington, KY Mounted Police Clinic in October. They used the "carwash streamers", wooden pedestals, rocking bridge, water box, backing between objects, dragging tarp, walking on tarp, piles of bags/trash/cans, and narrow flat wooden bridge. It was interesting. They did it in hand first and then mounted. At the end they had a timed, mounted competition. It sparked my interest to have an obstacle course here at home.
And then I saw the HA member's course posted (Colorado?)and it looked even more fun.
And watched some RFD TV with Craig Cameron and I think I'll need one of the bigger elk pens to lay out this fantasy course!
I audited another clinic in October and the clinician had a bubble machine (about $20) powered by batteries and that was a hoot. The horses were always surprised as the bubbles drifted over them. Even the calmest horse had a wide eye at first and rocked back. She also had a Wal-Mart Santa--the big blow up kind that are powered by a little fan to keep it inflated. She ran an extension cord for that one. The plastic made noise, the fan made noise, and it swayed in the breeze. She had people hang on the (outside of) arena fence with party horns, bags on sticks, and jingle bells at one station to despook for nutty parade people.
Thanks for the post Sara. There are some good ideas.
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 8:41 am:
Lots of great things to try! (Run Tango, Run, mom has some more ideas, lol!)
Fran,
I was going to post and ask about smoke bombs too. That would be a challenge, wouldn't it?
I've used the "noodles", made a bridge, bounced my exercise ball around, walked on different sized tarps and pieces of plastic.
Bubble machine, now that sounds like fun!
I wonder if they still make the bubble lawn mowers? My son had one when he was a toddler, you pushed it, it made sounds and bubbles came out of it! He used to "mow" the carpet, and lawn!
Fran, you ride, I'll push the bubble mower, ha ha!
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 10:22 am:
I want video posted when Tango first sees the bubble machine! Love that idea.
Fran,I don't know about where you live, but I'd be willing to be Walmart around here has smoke bombs; they have everything else.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 10:41 am:
Oh, so Angie, you're making ME the guinea pig, huh? 
The article was excellent but it got me thinking that eventually, I will have to retire Sparkles from dressage work. She's so good about most things, but obviously, it would be fun to try some of the suggestions in the article and make her completely bomb proof for more trail riding so I can enjoy her in her retirement. I've slowly added trail work to our routine just to make things more interesting for her and give her (and me) a break from arena work. She barely flinches at gun shots over head and is used to one of those motorized hang glider thingy's (senior moment, can't think of what they are called)taking off & landing next to us. It's often something you least expect that gets them uptight.
Anyway, I'll have to look for those smoke bombs next year when Halloween is back in season...and I like the inflatable Santa idea as well. The owners of the neighboring barn will think I'm nuts, but then, they witnessed me dancing around my horse with an umbrella on a perfectly sunny, 80 degree day this summer, in prep for a show where rain was predicted.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 10:44 am:
I've seen smoke bombs at the fireworks stores and tents that pop up around Memorial Day and 4th of July.
We did something similar to this during the summer at a clinic I attended. It was very good for Cutter, who is getting better about spooky stuff as he gets older. The only thing we couldn't do was cross the wooden bridge while mounted. I think if we had more time to work on it, then we could have, but he was having nothing to do with it. I kind of think it was because I was telling him to go but really telling him not to, if ya know what I mean, lol.
Fun stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Linda
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Member:
npo33901
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 2:53 pm:
Very inspiring - I must do it . Good for all of us - horses enjoy the change from the routine . I am not very good at " free work " .
Thanks.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 3:13 pm:
Ok ladies, I just made a shopping run.
Found cheap plastic hula hoops (no beads in them) at K-Mart for 3.50 each.
Found plastic pinata with long streamers and big fat Mickey Mouse face on it which has a sturdy handle at the top. It was $5.00 at Toys R Us.
At Toys R Us I also bought a "squiggly" ball for 5.00. It's mushy, soft plastic ball with "porcupine quills" all over it. Very soft, pliable, jiggily about the size of a basketball.
Found American flags on plastic, bendable sticks (versus the wood sticks which seem to snap?) for $1.00. I'll use strapping tape to put these in/on the red traffic cones.
Found a rectangle bubble machine for $12.00 at Toys R Us that is battery operated. There is a button to push for the "ferris wheel" to turn and crank out the bubbles. The bubble liquid is in the bottom 1/2. It's flat on the back and I figured I could bungee cord it to a fence rail.
Went to the industrial supply store and bought red plastic triangular flags on a cord...like the triangular flags you see whipping in the breeze over a car lot. $8.99
Bought 50 little yellow flags on metal rods for $6.00--like the flags you see when gas lines, electric lines, phone lines, etc. are marked.
Found heavy jingle bells at K-Mart for $8.49.
At Toys R Us I bought one of the 4' plastic cylinders that you blow up and put water or sand in the bottom of it so it will rebound when it's hit. Remember that punching bag like toy? Mine has SpiderMan on it. $8.00
Bought a 8' metallic streamer hangying thingey that is for a birthday party for $7.00 Looks like a giant squid to me.
And I thought with my kids out of high school I was done with Toys R Us for awhile...
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 4:25 pm:
 Vicki...You're not much of a procrastinator, are you?
When you get all your "stuff" set up, be sure to take a picture for us and let us know how it goes with the horses in their new amusement park.
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 5:51 pm:
Oh Linda I know exactly what you mean by telling him to go but not ..
Aloud: "It's OK, go on boy, you're fine"
To yourself: "please don't freak out and kill me, please don't freak out and kill me"
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 6:03 pm:
Fran, when it involves horse shopping, I don't mess around! I am rabid. Probably because I've waited almost 50 years to REALLY get started! I'm probably certifiably obnoxious.
I have researched bits, saddles, buildings, arenas indoor and outdoor, fencing, fans, footing, ETC. before I make the plunge on the big stuff. Made my long range building plan. Got estimates. Think I've finally got hubby on board. I've been laying my "traps" for about 18 months now and I think I have him snared!
Been to two despooking clinics to audit and soak up info how stuff is built, etc.
Another thing I'm checking into is at www.nacmo.org Looks like it might be fun.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 6:04 pm:
Diane, where did you do mounted patrol? What type of events?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 6:47 pm:
Vicki I was a mounted patrol member of our county, we were part of the sheriff's department.( I was the first woman elected president of it!)
We did searches for missing people, dead bodies, parades, guarding prisoners, directing traffic,security at events, sponsored trail rides and fun shows for the kids ect. It was fun and very interesting to say the least.
Some of that stuff made me a little nervous, but Sam and I did fine Me and my partner found a dead body once, it was kind of freaky, didn't like it one bit. All the while we were searching, I kept thinking I hope we don't find him...but that time we did It was a murder out in the countryside.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:11 pm:
Guarding prisoners? Road crew?
Finding a murdered person would not be something I'd like to stumble across on the trail!
A few years ago there was a murder and the police suspected the body was dumped in a cornfield. All the farmers were supposed to be on the lookout when shelling corn that year. I was afraid it would be on our farm. It wasn't. The body was found 20 rows from the road in a cornfield 10 miles from me. CREEPY
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:28 pm:
Vicki,
I can't wait to see pictures of all your "finds" set up! You just had waaay toooo much fun shopping today, lol!
Drats, no Toys R Us around here, but have Wmart, Kmart, and I bet with some snooping around the farm I can find some goodies.
Thanks for keeping us motivated!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:31 pm:
No road crew We also did unmounted stuff, so if a prisoner went to the hospital or Dr. or whatever we had to "guard" him....not one of my favorite jobs! We also had to guard expensive jewlery at a show, Patrol the grounds of out door exhibits at night...got to take the horses for that
I found directing traffic to be the most challenging! Need a good steady horse for that! The first time I took Sam to do it he was just barely broke out...but we had been practicing...one thing I didn't think of was we were going to be about 20 yards from a train track I bought Sam a nice new fancy bridle, decked him all out in our mounted patrol garb, he looked very handsome was very well behaved, let little kids run up on him with out flinching(VERY VERY important part of training)
Then I heard the train coming, I can't say panic didn't fill me up from head to toe! That stupid thing started blasting it's horn, I jumped off Sam, he did a little dance and we lived through it, after that trains and train tracks were a non issue, but my heart was in my throat for the first one! I didn't stay mounted just in case he had a fit, there were thousands of people and kids mulling around us. After I saw his first reaction, I stayed aboard for the next one and he didn't even flinch.
We did most of our training of the horses out in the field, never an arena. With this training Sam went from a jittery 3yr old abused, hated people...to a solid citizen, and surprisingly I lived through it.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:40 pm:
Wow, I can just imagine a train horn blasting at close range near a young horse...egads.
I paraded at the 08 Pegasus (KY Derby) parade with Diva mare. The staging area was UNDER a train trestle. Of all places to make 60 horses wait for two hours... The trestle rattled and seemed to shake the ground. And the blasted horn. The horses did better with it I think than the riders...
I'd have everybody killed directing traffic.
Got any pictures from your patrol days?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 7:50 pm:
I do have pictures, but that was before the digital camera came to town, and I don't have a scanner
If you can live through a noisy parade on a Diva, everything else should be a piece of cake
I wish I had the guts (stupidity) I did when I was younger, Hank would be a lot better off, I can only imagine his reaction in a parade!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 8:17 pm:
One reason I bought Diva mare was her calm demeanor. Nothing bothers her...it's all beneath her highness.
Probably the stupidest thing I did...19 yr old and riding bareback in Rocky Mtns. ANd riding up rocky steep paths...too stupid to realize the danger of slipping, sliding, spooking, etc.
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Member:
boots
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 8:55 pm:
At 19 I had no fears on horseback - great fun and luckily, no disasters. Now back into at it at age 73, I'm a LOT wiser, and a LOT more aware of dangers. Do you think this works for most horses too? They seem like 'been there,done that' animals with the proper training. My mare is 18 and today decided that the whole hillside was full of monsters. She is usually very calm and laid back where we ride. I saw nothing unusual, but I trust her instincts. Will see what the next ride brings.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 9:07 pm:
The stupidest thing I did back when I was fearless on horseback would be an interesting thread Don't know if I could just pick one!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 10:01 pm:
Boots, wonder what was on that hillside! snake? blood scent? Who knows?
I know I don't want to get dumped. I'm way too brittle.
Diane, that should be a members only lounge discussion...no need to put shame out there for everyone! 
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Nov 20, 2009 - 10:46 pm:
I got all inspired after reading Vickie's list and stopped at Costco to see what was there. Big mistake was hubby tagged along. Bummer. I'll have to hit the stores again tomorrow.
Can't wait to try some of this with Kameela and Reba.
Boots - me too! Bet we all did if we've been riding that long. It would be an interesting thread. "What not to do on your horse!"
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 7:31 am:
Riding fearless and bareback: I didn't even own a saddle until I was in my 20s! Trained my first horse at 13, a nice nippy stud colt.
Now I want saddle, breast collar, helmet, cell phone just to get started.
Yup, need a special thread; someone come up with a catchy title.
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Member:
hpyhaulr
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 9:00 am:
This sounds sooo interesting and FUN!
Perhaps a way to make it easier on yourself... go to Walmart.com... you will find much more than your Walmart can stock. What you find there you can have sent to your store (no charge for shipping)they will send you an email when it arrives at the Site to store location in the back of your store. This is how we clean out the warehouses, and offer more options to people who have small supercenters(or even smaller). All Walmarts are NOT created equal. And I will bet that Target and TOys R US have a similar set up
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Member:
boots
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 7:28 pm:
No news on the hillside as I did not get to ride today. Vicky, I will bet on the blood scent as it is big time hunting season here now. Perhaps I will find out. We also have a lot of bears prowling around. Careful is my middle name.
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Member:
dove2
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 6:25 am:
A little late to this discussion, but....one very practical item for de-spooking: road flares. You never know when your horse trailer will break down and you need to unload horses into another. Walking past a hissing, firey, smoking road flare is enough to get any horse frightened. Since the flares are easy to come by, this is one essential (and cheap) de-spooking item.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 7:07 am:
Never too late Dove! Great idea!
I have typed up a list of almost 50 different stations. Not that I'll use them all, but that's the list so far! I have approx a one acre pen fenced with 8 ft fence that I think I'm going to dedicate to my obstacle/despook area--just as soon as I can kick out the elk that are using the pen!
We have an OLD stock trailer that I might back into that pen and that would be a good place to use the flares. Although I might use just the flares in an open space first!
Wonder if a person should cover the horse's head in situation like you describe, or would that make it worse? Probably depends on the horse and how much exposure he's had to flares and/or a head cover? Not to mention the traffic sounds!
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 3:08 pm:
Wow Vicki, if you have time, I'd LOVE to see your list! I'm not at all creative so have to steal ideas from others. Even part of your list???
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 3:34 pm:
Love the ideas of the flares! And, shopping on line at Walmart! I can do it at night with no husband in tow!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 6:57 pm:
Julie, I'm happy to share. I think I stole all of them from clinics I've seen or online. I don't have too many original thoughts.
Some of these stations are "despook" and some lean more toward obstacle. Some are permanent and others I'd put away when finished. I'm sure you can get the jist of what I'm trying to develop. I'm a rookie.
Ok. For standards I will use metal farm T posts. I will have 5 to 10 ft pvc pipe 2-3" in diameter used as sleeves over the T posts. I'll drive the T posts with a post driver (big heavy metal sleeve that one bangs down on the T post repeatedly to drive into the ground. Really, sounds like a job for my son...) For the any obstacle that requires an arch or upside down U, I'll glue (plumbers adhevsive, find it at Menards. Little metal can with screw cap and brush attached like the kindergarten glue bottles) 90 elbows and another piece of pvc into the two standards. And if I just need one standard to hang something on, I'll use one 90 elbow and a short piece of pvc pipe. I will (or son will...) drill holes in the pvc pipe to thread noodles, streamers, twine, etc. I'll also utilize the fence sometimes as one of my "standards".
The rough draft plan is to put the permanent type obstacles in the center of the one acre pen and the despook type stations along the perimeter of the fence.
1. Carwash with hanging noodles, streamers, cloth, tarp, etc. (Need arch or upside down U.)
2. Hang pinata, streamers, balloons, mobiles, etc. (Need one standard with 90 elbow & short piece of pvc 10" pipe.
3. Noodle gate. Use two 5-6' standards with 4-8 holes drilled in each pvc pipe to accommodate noodles.
4. Mailbox. use one standard w/ 4-5' pvc pipe. Drill hole in bottom of plastic mailbox to run pvc pipe through. Screw box to pipe.
5. Rope Gate. Tie or clip approx 12' rope to fence approx 4' above ground . Use one standard with a hook (plastic coated coat hook or something like that or glued 90 elbow pvc)screwed into pipe. Make small loop at end of rope that will easily slip over hook but not big enough to get a hoof through.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 7:18 pm:
I was afraid my post would be too long!
6. Umbrella(s) Place on ground or in inside of standard/pvc pipe--open of course lol.
7. Tarp alley. Tie tarp to fence to create an alley. Use 2-3 standards w/ pvc pipe 8-10' tall w/ holes drilled to tie tarp to pipe. Use as many tarps as desired.
8. "Used car lot string of Flags". Tie string of flags to fence and one 10' standard w/ pvc pipe. (The kind of triangular flags you see snapping in the breeze at car lots. I got mine at an industrial supply store--it's red and says Danger!)
9. Bury 4-8 small car tires 1/2 way in dirt. Horses step inside tire. I'd like to have 6-10" of tire showing. Fill inside of tire so there is not chance a horse will get a hoof caught and drag the tire...
10. Pedestal. Make wood pedestal with slight flare to sides for stability. Or use tractor tire and screw 1-2" round wooden cover on top. Sink screws so they don't stick up. Tire/wood needs to be sturdy enough not to tip, collapse, etc. I'll probably have to move this with a skidloader if I'm by myself.
11. Somewhat narrow, flat wooden bridge
12. Teeter totter wider wooden bridge. (several online to look at)
13. Earthen steps. We'll move dirt to make 3-4 steps reinforced w/ railroad ties. The dirt will be graded somewhat steeply on the sides. Steps will be wide enough for 1/2 or full stride and rise 8-14". Haven't decided if the steps will be uniform or if the bottom one is the tallest and the rise is less as the steps ascend. Use steps and hill for obstacles.
14. Elevated walkways. We have some concrete bunk feeders that we won't be using and I'm visualizing using these in a slight zig zap pattern (if possible) or straight walk way into the grade of the pen. The walkway will have 12"+ "fall" on each side. Depends on what happens as we build it. Trying to simulate trail on hillside.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 7:26 pm:
15. Red traffic cones with small American flags taped to top of cone. Strapping tape. Create alley to back/forward, make whatever shape.
16. Pinwheel. Lay 8-10' pvc pipe or rails on ground for horse to walk/trot over in a circle, right lead and left lead. Shape like a + sign if using 4 poles.
17. Use plastic flag holder (like from walmart) and hang 3x5' flag. Use standard and pvc pipe or the fence. Use as many as you like marching down the fence. (Trying to despook for parade flags)
18. Snake/Hose pit. Use pcs of thin, crummy hose cut into 4-8" pieces in a pile or strewn between two poles. (I've seen the hose loosely coiled rather than cut and I'd be worried about hooking a hoof with that...)
19. Trash pile. Plastic bags, water bottles. Nothing with sharp edges. In a pile or between two poles or up against the fence with one pole.
20. Balls/Saucer. Put balls of various size in saucer. bouncy ones, squishy ones. Bigger horse play ball? Trying to keep them from rolling away...
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 7:40 pm:
21. Bubble Machine. Bungee cord bubble machine to fence or screw mount to standard/pvc pipe. toys r Us as 12.99 bubble machine that I mentioned above which will work real well for this. Battery powered, press button for bubbles)
22. Ground tarp. Lay tarp on ground and weight down. (5 gal buckets w/ sand, whatever, something not sharp)
23. Plastic Figures (like my old 3' Santa!) which are hollow and can be slid over a T post. Walmart... Use fan blow up ones if you have electricity. They sway in the breeze.
24. Bicycle/stroller/4 Wheeler (be nice if some helping could ride, push, or drive these!
25. Plastic bags tied to sticks on the fence to blow in the breeze. (Like the flags)
26. Drags. Tie sticks/crunchy leaves to twine to drag. Tie string of alum cans to drag. Tie small tarp to drag. Etc.
27. Use Barrels/Barricades/Cones to create serpentine pole bending or alley ways to go through on right/left lead and backwards.
28. Water tub w/ apples to bob.
29. Noise Makers. Put box or saucer of party horns, whistles, buzzer, etc.
30. Mattress of lumpy sleeping bag to walk on
31. Inflatables. I have a Spider man 4' blow up man that will rebound if hit/nudged. Sand in bottom. 9 bucks at Toys r us
32. Car alarm would be good if a car is close!
33. Smoke bombs, flares, The snapping firecrackers that aren't real loud. Probably have to have a board to make them snap. Suppose if a person was really brave you could haul out the fireworks...lol
34. Large circle chalked or spray painted on ground to do 360 turn on the forehand and then on the haunches. Or use wood/pvc square frame of poles.
35. Cavaletti
36. Small jumps 1-3'
37. Use the stick in the ground plastic pinwheels anywhere near the entrance and exit of a station. Like the sunflower kind you can buy at walmart...
38. Water hazard. Tarp in depression filled w/ water. Wooden rectangle with 4x4 posts and plywood filled with Water. Or actual real stream!
39. Trench trail. If grade permits create narrow trench like trail. Not too deep, don't want a cave in! Long as desired.
40. sidepassing over a pole, facing a fence, etc.
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 7:43 pm:
41. I have some animal pelts that I might use to sack out.
42. Flashing emergency lights. Like volunteer fireman, yellow utility lights. I found mine at a Trucking Supply Store.
That's it for now!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 10:00 pm:
Wow Viki you are getting into it.
I would make one suggestion when you implement these on your horse, Just turn it out with all that stuff and let him investigate on his own. Don't have him on a lead rope. Surprisingly when a horse doesn't think it is being forced into something they are very curious. Once you let them investigate for a day or 2 "training" will go much easier.
Around the funny farm here we have a lot of things that bomb proof the horses without me even getting involved, tarps flapping quite noisily right next to their paddock, hubby shooting at coyotes and chipmonks right over the horses heads ...sigh. They don't even jump anymore. Tractors going right by them with the Flashers going in the dark. Rattling corn wagons going by the driveway 10 foot from the horses. Calves running crazy. 4 wheelers going by them and around them dragging things almost daily. Crazy neighbor kids have an air blown(with fan) up huge thing in the summer ...that one got them at first.
They hardly spook at anything anymore and I didn't have to do a thing!
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 10:11 pm:
Vicki, thank you so much!! Hope you don't get carpel tunnel synDrOme from all the typing! You are so creative and I really appreciate your sharing. Animal pelts are genius--I had a dead broke trail horse that freaked out every time the cowhide from the tack room floor was hung on the fence to clean (not my barn--owners crazy girlfriend thought a hide made a nice rug-ever tried to sweep hay off one?) Anyway, thanks again for sharing--you're terrific!
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 - 10:33 pm:
Vicki,
I thought of you today and your ideas when I worked with Tango. I was short on time, and didn't want to get him sweat-ed up but wanted to do some ground work.
So I did ground driving around the farm. Into the garden, noisy crackly corn stalks. Around the fire pit where hubby was burning some trash. Had him check out the "deer" target in my asparagus bed. Up on the tarp and around the car, and we weaved the posts in the ground where the porch going on.
May not sound like much, but for Mr. Super "Scaredy Kat" Sensitive, it was a challenge!
Thanks for getting my brain to come up with something other than arena work, and for posting your list! Fantastic ideas!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 8:05 am:
good idea Diane, and the area is fenced. I'll definitely do that with the Haffies.
Here at the funny farm we too have lots of noise.
We are a site work company (Giant Haul Trucks, Excavators, Semis, Dump Trucks, Skidloaders, Telehandler, Backhoe, Crane, etc. with much loading, banging, honking, engine noise, etc.
We are a grain and livestock farm (Tractors, Combine, Implements, Planters, Hay Wagons, with much noise and flashing lights.
We also have a roll off container truck which is pretty loud when the steel 40 yd boxes are DrOpped. Much wench whirring when they are loaded.
And let's not forget the hunting/shooting practice. And kids on 4 wheelers and motorcylces.
And the Grain elevator with its siren which goes off with a bin is full, and it is right next to the horse barn. And the grain dryer which is too loud. And semi air brakes whooshing as they pull in/out from the grain dump--right next to the horse dry lot.
And trucks. And employees coming and going.
And where is the horse barn? Right smack in the middle of it. No quiet idyllic setting here. It's a busy place even at night sometimes. We have pole parking lights around the farm and elevator, so they are used to artificial lights and shadows. And walking around in the dark because sometimes I don't bring them in until after dark and the dog is always an apparition that suddenly appears!
And a Doberman who thinks she is a horse and runs, runs, runs, and barks and dances in front of the horses and dives for their feet when I'm leading them out. (Poor training on my part.) They are immune to her. Wonder what horses would do with a different dog? Haffies would probably go straight up in the air.
In the pen, before the barn home, a skidloader was often run in with the horses to clean their pen which wasn't that large. Much wide eyes and scurrying to the opposite end.
I use a leaf blower to blow out the barn aisle.
Just thought of another good idea for a despook station. Decoy Deer. Husband was practicing with his bow and left the deer decoy up one time a few years ago. Horses had to walk past it. Much blowing and rolled eyes! LOL. It's a DECOY boys!
The barn was built last fall literally 50 ft in front of the Haffies pen...crane, cement truck, dump truck, chain saw, air nailers, etc. They watched at the gate.
There is quite a bit of traffic here actually...electricans, fuel/propane/freight deliveries, gawkers looking at the elk...
So you would think mine would be bomb proof. We'll see. The Haffies are somewhat unpredictable even if we weave through all of the equipment parked around here on the way to the north pasture on a regular basis...
One reason I want to set the stations up is to have clinics for a trail group I joined. They use despook clinics to get ready for parades and also trail confidence. Currently they have to rent arena space which also limits the type of stations they can use.
Can't you just imagine a hot, high strung horse exploding around here?
Friendly barn cats seem to be the biggest challenge when they unexpectedly wrap around and rub a tied horse's legs.
One thing I do well Julie is type. Years of typing my worksheets, activities, and tests for the classroom! And back in the day before computers!! I have learned a lot reading others' posts on HA. The least I can do is type that list. I don't have much else to contribute that anyone would want to know!
And Angie, crackly corn is creepy! There is an 80 acre field adjacent to the small pasture and when it is in corn and the corn is dry...the wind blows and it can sound creepy at night. Add to it howling coyotes and it is "fall" scary!
Oh, and the burn barrel isn't that far from everything and when the wind happens to be out of the northwest (which is rare), the smoke will cover everything! But I haven't walked horses through it ever. Might have to try that.
Beeswings (corn and soybean chaff) blows everywhere when the grain dryer is running or the grain is dumping which is like confetti. The horses are so used to the sound they will graze close to the noise and come in looking like they have been in a ticker tape parade with Beeswings confetti all over them!
But you wait. We'll get on the "obstacle" course and they flip out...Murphy's Law.
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 8:59 am:
Just a precautionary note: what is going on in a horses home environment does not always translate to other environments. In Montana, our property bordered Interstate 90, the amount of traffic and noise was unbearable. Where we are now, one of the horses pastures in bordered by the road. Log trucks, heavy equipment being hauled to logging sites, 4 wheelers, etc. I sent Robbers to a trainer last year. Anytime she met a vehicle on the road, Robbers freaked out. Unfortunately she didn't have enough traffic in her area to work him through it. Just because your horse is fine with scary monsters in his home pasture doesn't mean he won't turn tail and run when one of them pops up while he's walking down the road or up a trail.
Cheryl K
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 9:22 am:
Cheryl you are so right, what doesn't bother them on the ground, may well set them off when in saddle and different environments. I can name many instances of this. That's why we did out in the field training rather than arena training when I was in the mounted patrol.
The more a horse is exposed to thing does help tho, and once the rider rides these obstacle courses the more they know what the horses reaction may be and how to handle it when on trail and relax...probably one of the most important things!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 9:37 am:
Excellent points ladies. Don't want to get too confident! Which explains why a plastic bag today is NOT a plastic bag tomorrow, but a gremlin. No substitution for saddle time.
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Member:
stek
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 10:47 am:
Vicki thanks for sharing all your ideas, I can't wait to try some of them out! Using t-posts and pvc to make an arch is pure genius! I'll have to try this with my gelding who thinks anything above his head is a pterodactyl swooping in to carry him off. I think I might make a couple of those out in the pasture just to give the ponies something to play with... methinks if I hang a hay net off one that could make a fun horse toy!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 1:59 pm:
I'd probably have to use 4x4 posts to hang a hay bag with the Haffies...they are waaaaay too pushy and "leany" on stuff! I think Diva mare would behave herself however with a hay net or toy hanging from the pvc pipe.
The cheerleading squads at my kids' school use pvc frames to tape the decorated paper on that the team bursts through at big games. I thought of the pipe and then husband said use T posts. Duh. I was thinking buckets of sand, tires with concrete, and bingo, he solved my problem. so I can't take the credit. Like I said earlier, I don't have too many original thoughts, but I am an absolute sponge when reading and watching!
Be sure to post pix if you set something up. I will once we get the dang elk out of the pens!!!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 2:01 pm:
I wasn't thinking of driving posts because I had "arena" stuck in my head and of course wouldn't drive a post into the compacted base of an arena... I asked husband about it (excavator/site man) and he said for our outdoor it wouldn't matter... ? Suppose how much $ a person has sunk into their arena base!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 2:02 pm:
But if I put it all on outside in the acre pen, then the "cracking the base" is a non issue...ta da.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 - 3:26 pm:
To Cheryl's point r.e what horses are comfy with at home doesn't neccessarily translate when away from home - so true. Sometimes I think by despooking our horse(s) at home, however, we also build our own confidence. When something unexpectedly pops up away from home, that increased confidence leads to a less worried horse who trusts in us because we aren't freaked out and are much more relaxed. So in a sense, it's bomb-proofing the horses, and ourselves!
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 1, 2009 - 8:12 pm:
Update on Obstacle Course.
I've looked at several Mounted Police courses online. YouTube is a great invention.
Husband brought home a bunch of pallets for me. (this is an incredibly good sign that the elk are truly going to LEAVE this farm!) 15 of them are 2x6 planks on 4x4 posts put together with big 5" bolts. Some of the pallets were 6' wide! (used to transport heavy machinery/parts) I thought I would use the wide pallets as an elevated bridge and the 3-4' wide pallets on the ground in a zig zag pattern. Yesterday afternoon we had three men who didn't have enough to do from 2-5pm, so I snagged them! We robbed the good planks from some of the crummy pallets to make the good pallets solid. We used galvanized 4" screws and put additional 4x4 posts for support on the 6' wide "bridges", so there are five posts for support under the planks. Husband said I could elevate bridges with RR ties and put them together with big anchor bolts. Not too sure about that...if the ground is soft, I'd rather have a post in the ground... We had pallets all over the shop floor, but got it cleaned up by 5 and the "new" bridge pieces are stacked out back waiting for a home, if the elk ever get booted out!
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 - 10:50 am:
Vicki - I have been reading this post with interest. We are always looking for ideas for obstacle course to use in the arena for "Fun Day".
Some great ideas here!
Thanks for posting!
Lilo
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Member:
kpaint
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 - 5:42 pm:
Thanks Lilo, I steal most of them from the web!
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