Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Spooky Legs

Susan, I'd do a lot of stuff with a rope around him.  A lead rope works well.
Start by making sure he's comfortable with it on both sides of his head and body
and that you can switch it from one side to the other over his back.  Then work
up to letting it fall lower down his side on both sides, down his front legs,
around his hooves.  Be careful not to let him step on it until he's really
comfortable with it, otherwise he'll pull back, scare himself and make matters
worse.  Teach him to let it trail between his legs.  Finally, drop it over his
back on the opposite side to where you are (if you're on his left, drop it over
his right hip).  Starting pretty high, put some pressure on it to teach him to
give to the pressure and turn away from the rope and towards you.  Eventually
you can let the rope drop down around his hocks and then his canons and he
should give to it.  The idea is to get him comfortable with a rope anywhere on
his body so he doesn't panic.  There is a lot more to rope training.  Most
"name" trainers have their versions in their books, articles, videos, clinics,
etc.  Hobble training is also very valuable as is ground tying.
    Good luck!  This kind of training with a high strung horse is especially
important I think!
Laney

Jerry & Susan Milam wrote:

> I was out doing LSD with my 6yo greenie and we went off trail to avoid a
> mucky descent area and lo and behold a big woody vine was hidden underneath
> the leaves. The sensation of this vine catching on his hind pastern just
> about made this horse go looney tunes. I'm glad we were in a relatively
> large open area with no other horse at risk or it could have been a
> disaster.
>
> My question to you veteran horse trainers is this: How can I work with this
> youngster on not freaking out when something hangs on to his feet like a
> vine or a piece of barbed wire like it did last year and he freaked and darn
> near bled to death on the trail. I should have asked this question last year
> so I could have been working on it so he'd be better now. I guess I didn't
> realize it IS a big problem with him. My other guys will stand if I ask them
> when they get caught up in something. This guy is my "really sensitive
> baby". He also has problems girthing up and has got to have the cushy
> woolback saddlpad on or the ears are back! YES, HE'S GREY.
>
> I've handled the pad and the girth dilemma, but would like some input on how
> to go about this leg thing PLEAZZZZZ.
>
> HELP ME
>
> Thanks in advance everyone :)
>
> Happy Tails,
>
> Susan and Dandy
>
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=