Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Kimberly kprice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
One of the most useful things I've learned is to teach a horse how to chase 
scary objects, including dogs.  Get a helper in an arena and have them 
carry a flag or scary bag.  Get the horse to face the object (have the help 
shake it a little) and when the horse takes a step the object becomes 
silent as a reward.  Keep this up and have the helper move away until it 
becomes a game to the horse and before you know he is following the 'scary' 
objects all around the arena.  Translate this training to the trail and 
chasing a rogue dog...all it takes is one success and the horse is 
trained.  I can't tell you how many times it has saved my butt on single 
foot high trails where dogs are suppose to be on leash but are not and they 
come aggressively toward us.  I turn my horse toward them, say 'get'um 
Mystery', and he goes after them with ears back.  That dog turns tail and 
when we finally catch up to the owner I tell them the dangers of letting 
their dogs run loose.  (Of course, they never listen)!


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