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[RC] - LisaHi Diane, Thank you for your feedback! Though your suggestion does sound unpleasant, it also sounds valid. It's possible we'll have one more blizzardy-type storm in April, so I'll get my mare out and give her some busy-work. I don't think she would be anxious or upset enough that she would a dangerous ride, though I'll likely start with lunging and groundwork and see where that takes us. By the way, does anyone have a cat that cleans so often they lick off their hair down to the skin?! I have a cat with almost a bald rear leg. One more mystery to solve . . . Lisa Douglass Moss Rock Endurance US Distributor, Free 'n' Easy Saddles Dealer, Specialized Saddles www.mossrockendurance.com (719)439-2472 ********************* From: Diane Trefethen <tref@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] Horses and Snow/Blizzards Hi Lisa, Since your mare handles either snow or wind but not both together AND she is getting worse each time, it sounds like she has a behavioural problem, not either an illness or a legitimate fear. As unpleasant as my suggestion is going to sound, it might be a way to break the cycle of "That's upsetting", "I'm upset", "I'm so upset it is more upsetting", "I'm really upset now", etc. Prepare a place (if you don't have a ring) to work her and when the next storm comes in, or right now if it is still blustery and snowing outside, go tack her up, and give her at least a one hour lesson. If she is in good shape and when you ride you usually go out for several hours, then work her several hours. If she appears too dangerous to ride, free lunge her either for the allotted time or until she calms down enough to be ridable. Right now, as things stand, she is associating a snowy, windy storm with only one thing - her own internal anxiety. If she has more on her mind, it might help to break the cycle. Good luck. Diane Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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