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Discussion on Hunter? Horse scared of cement?
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 4, 1999 - 2:32 pm:
Hi,
I jump, but what exactly are the judges looking for in hunter classes and what
are they judging on? There is a show coming up and I'd like to practice some
things so I will be prepared and I will know what to expect.
I'm riding a 15 y/o thoroughbred gelding who seems to be scared of cement (I
think he might have slipped on cement when it was wet when he was
younger). When I'm grooming him in the grooming area, I have to have the
lead rope very long, but I'm scared he'll trip over it. When I tie the lead rope a
little tighter so that he won't be able to trip over it, he freaks. I have to put his
saddle on in the arena, which is not very convenient because I have to take
the saddle into the arena, come back, bridle him, take him to the arena, and
then put his saddle on. As soon as we're in the arena he is normal and isn't
scared of hardly anything, but when we're on cement he's very wide-eyed
and he has to have so much space so he can see everything that's going on.
Do you have any advise or other alternatives? I need help!
Thank-you,
PortageTB
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IdaL. |
Posted on Monday, Jul 5, 1999 - 11:04 am:
Hi, Portage TB,
For the hunter question, I would recommend you get an instructor; he/she can advice you what areas you need to improve on especially when you haven't been to one before. I would suggest the minimum requirements is your horse needs to at least achieve some degree of collection and is able to travel at a regualar, controlled pace and tempo. The rider needs to show he/she is centered and relaxed on the horse; and not throwing him/herself over the fence. The judges basically are looking for the 'perfect' pair... a rider that suits the horse and vice versa; and throw in all the factors that you can think of that will affect the overall presentation of this pair.
And onto the tieing problem. I strongly recommend you train him to ground tie. Basically you train a horse to ground tie in 2 steps: first train him to stop on cue... second stop him (flip the lead rope over his neck so if he escapes, you can hold him back immediately and be prepared to do so). Correct him immediately when he starts to move, even for an inch. And make the stay short and easy and pleasant at first (with treats and for the first few times, don't put the tack on, just groom him and take it easy.) then gradually lengthen it and reduce the treats. All horses benefit from ground tie training; and believe it or not, with consistency, your horse can learn to stand like a statue; will not move until you say so... isn't this convenient? It takes approximately a month but it's worth it.
The walking on cement problem: that should be easy. If there is one day you didn't feel like riding and have some free time, walk him on cement again and again... walk him over it once, when you are about to exit the cement part, give him a carrot. Do it sixty times in a day; throw in some variations by asking him to halt in the middle or turn. Take his lunch out and feed him on cement. Once he is totally accustomed to walking and staying on cement, tie him on a cross tie (normal length, don't lengthen or shorten it) on one side and ask him to stand for 5 secondes... gradually work your way up. Remember lots of treats and praise if he stays put... he will.
You know on the weekend I worked on a horse that the owner say will never go into a wash stall; but he got in within 15 minutes. Not because I was 'whispering' to the horse or anything, but it just proves with horses you need to break a difficult task in small parts and reward every step he takes. With this horse I ask him to take a step and stop then give him a carrot; he learns the trick so fast... he knows for every step he took he gets a carrot. So it took us 30 steps and lots of carrots and of course some tense moments (when the water is turned on); that's okay, we trust each other... that's the most important lesson learned!
Ida
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