spooking horses...

[PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com (KIMBERLY PRICE)]

Hey Chris,

  You hit the nail on the head with your excellent post on spooking the 
John Lyons method.  The key is teaching them it is ok to spook, just 
spook in place!  Making them face their anxiety also works and you are 
right, circling can sometimes get them more worked up.  But if you use 
your LEGS to keep them from backing or turning, but just facing the 
problem, you can get results.

   There are also relaxation methods (I'm sure you are aware of) for 
helping the horse dispurse some of his tension while it is occuring.  
Teaching them at calm times to turn their head to your foot on cue is 
one of these methods, especially if it is ingrained as an automatic 
response.  THIS is where ground work helps the problems in the saddle.  
Anytime the horse lowers its head it is relaxing.  This gives the horse 
a familiar response he's learned to trust and helps dispurse that 
flight instinct.    The stop and stare spook is just a hesitation for 
you, the rider, to gain the horse's attention back for that split 
second before full panick and flight sets in.  You must have an 
immediate response to get their mind off the situation and/or reassure 
them the situation will not harm them.  Each time it occurs, the horse 
trusts you more and more, the spooks become less or not as violent, you 
feel the trust and bonding increase.
   Make sense?

  Then, you will be face with the "I don't really want to work today so 
I think I'll spook at everything" syndrome!  But, alas, that is another 
story and one you come to recognize!

Kimberly (&Mystery the Morab.."what!  Me ride in the rain!  In the 
arena!  oh man, those caveletti might jump up and whack me....no 
way...")