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RE: [RC] sane future for spooky arab?? - Jim HollandThis is true to some extent of just about every Arab I have ever known, more or less depending on his background. He is lacking in confidence and since Arabs are about the only breed that has not been "modified" by breeding for docility, it comes with the package. Like everything else, the "fire, intelligence, and athleticism" of an Arab come with a price. The survival instinct is very strong. The "cure" is to spend a lot of time....it usually takes a year at least...on the ground earning his respect and generating a "bond". I never take a young horse anywhere until I can consistently make him focus on me when his attention wanders and until he looks to me for guidance before losing his cool...FROM THE GROUND. Work on ground manners by leading him in stressful situations and working on his behavior under stress. Then you expand his horizons gradually, always asking for deferral to you. "Throwing him to the wolves" under saddle without the "security blanket" of training and bonding is asking for a wreck, possibly with serious injury to you or him. I got Magic at 4 1/2, didn't ride him ANYWHERE except a small paddock for a year, then took him on trail rides by himself in controlled circumstances for another year. Patience and consistency is the key. Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic (who thinks he has this Endurance stuff figured out) <grin> -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp- owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ridecamp Guest Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 7:22 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] sane future for spooky arab?? Please Reply to: Ann Marie Mahar annmmahar@xxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== I have a new 5 year old arab that has been ridden for less than a year. He has come along nicely but is so scared of common obstacles that we must face, riding on dirt roads in rural Vermont (cars, trucks, bikes, tractor equipment, 4 wheelers, dogs). This is my first full arab and I am beginning to question the safety of him when we come across something that blows his mind and his fear overwhelms him- he tries to bolt by tucking his rear down. Things such as large trucks, tractors, bikes, 4 wheelers, etc. would be too much for him. Since I must ride on these roads, our neighbors are very supportive of driving slowely, but as we all know there are "the other nonhorse savy people" who don't slow down. My question is, will he become more confident in time, and begin to handle these things in stride like my previous morgan did, or will he always be a nervous wreck? I feel that I am a good rider but also know bad things do happen, and I don't want a nasty accident to happen to me! As a new mother I can't afford this, especially now! Thanks for all of your insights! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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