Ridecamp: [RC] re: spooking

I have been  doing some ground stuff.  If something is scaring him at a 
distance,  I will get off and lead him over to it for him to check it out.  
He does very well when I'm off and leading him.  He looks to me for support 
and help.  He usually won't take off when I'm off him,  he'll get behind me. 
 What a woos! LOL.
But,  as far as the birds etc. that jump out all of a sudden -- there's not  
a whole lot I can do with that.  You don't know when that's going to happen. 
 It's like when someone comes up behind you and scares you - and you jump 
and scream - well,  I do anyway.
But,  I have been trying different things with him.   When he spins and 
flees,  I have tried pulling his head around and getting him in a circle.  
He does ok with that but,  not great.   I have raised my voice with him over 
it and that just puts him over the edge and he fights me terribly.  Next 
will be to just get him stopped and point him in the correct direction and 
just keep going.
Not make a big deal about it -- maybe talk to him.
If he feels like he's getting an unfair correction - he will give quite a 
fight and he gets mad.   If he feels you are there for him,  he is much 
better.
Sounds corny but,  that seems to be his personality.
He saw some cable across the street the other day and completely came 
un-glued.  I hand walked him over to it and let him put his nose on it.  
Then he was fine.
Same thing with a tarp that was on the trail that was sort of flapping.  He 
slammed on the breaks and started to snort.  I got off and hand walked him 
over and he finally looked at it and calmed down and then he walked over it 
by himself.
And whoever meantioned cows -- that was a biggie.   He is ok with cows now 
as long as he sees them ahead of time.  And I'll tell him, "come on, go get 
them..." And he goes along.   But, if we come around a corner and there they 
are all of a sudden,  he will try and spin until he realizes what they are.
People standing on the side of a trail and not moving.  BIG deal.   I have 
to tell the people to start talking or move - do something.   Once they 
start to move around and talk,  he is ok.
Today I'm going to put things out in his paddock -  a plastic bag on a fence 
and maybe part of a tarp on the ground.   Birds and squirrels well -- can't 
do that one.
Cindi


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