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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
  
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 12:54 PM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;)
I hate to say it but time is the only thing that really gets through to these types of horses. Keep taking her, keep exhibitioning. I've had three (one currently) that are/were spooky as can be. This is long but gives you an idea of stuff I've tried that worked or didn't.
The first one, I ended up using ear plugs on and it made him a completely different horse...he was less spooky of the sights but very sensitive about noises and commotion. I probably worked him with ear plugs for about a year before things started to click with him.
My now broodmare was horrible. She spooked at anything and everything. When I finally decided to just lope/canter through, she behaved way better than when I was trotting. But she still was bad. I told everyone she was the barrel horse who was afraid of barrels. So I got creative and starting trying to mimic competition settings at home. Played loud music when riding, put barrels in her paddock and threw her hay on top of them and then moved them every couple of days, put sheets and towels up on the fence in her paddock, just anything and everything I could think of to desensitize her. It took 3 years of hauling and work to get her right, but she finally started clocking and running like a normal horse. She's lucky she was the only one I had at the time or I'd surely given up on her.
My current one is a sensitive, hot, spooky thing. I tried to send him through at a lope and it magnified the problem. So I do believe some of them you do have to back down and go slow. So our current plan is lots of riding at home and lots of walking in strange places. I basically have taken him back to square one to retrain as he hadn't gotten enough consistency in training prior to be purchasing him IMO. Took him back off the pattern and just making him go everywhere with me and be comfortable. To be able to ride in some of the arenas, like you, I have to pay to exhibition. But I will try and go early before there's a line and literally use my exhibitions as walk/trot around the arena in the biggest cloverleaf possible lol. At least then I can get him right up to the fence with banners and stands, etc. Then if it's a long day I just ride him around the grounds as much as possible.
Don't worry if you feel discouraged, set backs seem to be the norm with the spooky ones. Play with going slow or going fast, but don't be afraid to back completely off if things get worse. Good luck and hopefully yours and mine eventually get there lol!
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 9:14 AM What do you do to season the spooky ones that are ready to be exhibitioned? What do you do if they have a freak out and you can't hardly keep them in the arena, trying to bolt and won't even trot a barrel? Yet at home, running a flawless pattern.
Keep hauling.
They won't get over the "spook" of new places until you keep taking them to new places. I would get there super early and or stay super late, so I could ride in the arena alone (if needed). Ride in the warm up pen if you need to. Etc.
The first barrel race I took Red to, he quite literally self-imploded. I was standing near the arena so he could watch. When the first horse ran, he was like "oh my god why is that horse running?!?!?!". Second horse ran, he was still very unsure what was going on. By the third horse, he was so wigged out he literally spazzed and jumped straight into the air. Simply because he didn't know why the horses were running like mad men in the arena.
He also used to bolt with me out on the trail, because he would spook so bad.
Fast forward a year or two, and he pretty much SLEEPS until it's time to run. Not a thing bothers him. Can't even remember the last time he bolted. He just needed lots of miles and wet saddle blankets and hauling.
Now, I didn't get to ride him at all this year (had a baby!) but we did go to a few small playdays just for fun (my mom and I). And of course, he reverted back to some of his old behavior with being naughty and having too much energy. That's okay. I know he'll snap back out of it once we get riding regularly next year and start hauling again.
The only way to get them seasoned ... is to season them! Haul, haul, haul.
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 Regular
Posts: 73
Location: Central Texas | Speedy Buckeye Girl - 2016-12-09 8:31 AM
WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 12:54 PM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;)
I hate to say it but time is the only thing that really gets through to these types of horses. Keep taking her, keep exhibitioning. I've had three (one currently) that are/were spooky as can be. This is long but gives you an idea of stuff I've tried that worked or didn't.
The first one, I ended up using ear plugs on and it made him a completely different horse...he was less spooky of the sights but very sensitive about noises and commotion. I probably worked him with ear plugs for about a year before things started to click with him.
My now broodmare was horrible. She spooked at anything and everything. When I finally decided to just lope/canter through, she behaved way better than when I was trotting. But she still was bad. I told everyone she was the barrel horse who was afraid of barrels. So I got creative and starting trying to mimic competition settings at home. Played loud music when riding, put barrels in her paddock and threw her hay on top of them and then moved them every couple of days, put sheets and towels up on the fence in her paddock, just anything and everything I could think of to desensitize her. It took 3 years of hauling and work to get her right, but she finally started clocking and running like a normal horse. She's lucky she was the only one I had at the time or I'd surely given up on her.
My current one is a sensitive, hot, spooky thing. I tried to send him through at a lope and it magnified the problem. So I do believe some of them you do have to back down and go slow. So our current plan is lots of riding at home and lots of walking in strange places. I basically have taken him back to square one to retrain as he hadn't gotten enough consistency in training prior to be purchasing him IMO. Took him back off the pattern and just making him go everywhere with me and be comfortable. To be able to ride in some of the arenas, like you, I have to pay to exhibition. But I will try and go early before there's a line and literally use my exhibitions as walk/trot around the arena in the biggest cloverleaf possible lol. At least then I can get him right up to the fence with banners and stands, etc. Then if it's a long day I just ride him around the grounds as much as possible.
Don't worry if you feel discouraged, set backs seem to be the norm with the spooky ones. Play with going slow or going fast, but don't be afraid to back completely off if things get worse. Good luck and hopefully yours and mine eventually get there lol!
Thank you!!! Thanks also for being the first person to give me real advise on what to do...and not telling me I'm doing wrong by exhibitioning. My mare is far from green, she has a reining handle and knows her job on the barrels. Been on the pattern on and off for two years just hasn't been hauled to exhibition. I've hauled to warm up and ride around. Much better in outdoor pens than indoor. Handles the warm ups great but loses her mind being in the arena alone...surely if no one else is in there, something must eat her! She sounds similar to your broodmare. I guess I just need to set up our home arena like a show and haul the snot out of her. | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | No one told you not to exhibition. I did say *I* don't ask a green horse (green as in inexperienced with hauling) to work barrels away from home if I haven't ridden them all week, because that's asking for a Bad Day. As your mare demonstrated. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | WinningPaints - 2016-12-09 9:00 AM Speedy Buckeye Girl - 2016-12-09 8:31 AM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 12:54 PM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) I hate to say it but time is the only thing that really gets through to these types of horses. Keep taking her, keep exhibitioning. I've had three (one currently) that are/were spooky as can be. This is long but gives you an idea of stuff I've tried that worked or didn't.
The first one, I ended up using ear plugs on and it made him a completely different horse...he was less spooky of the sights but very sensitive about noises and commotion. I probably worked him with ear plugs for about a year before things started to click with him.
My now broodmare was horrible. She spooked at anything and everything. When I finally decided to just lope/canter through, she behaved way better than when I was trotting. But she still was bad. I told everyone she was the barrel horse who was afraid of barrels. So I got creative and starting trying to mimic competition settings at home. Played loud music when riding, put barrels in her paddock and threw her hay on top of them and then moved them every couple of days, put sheets and towels up on the fence in her paddock, just anything and everything I could think of to desensitize her. It took 3 years of hauling and work to get her right, but she finally started clocking and running like a normal horse. She's lucky she was the only one I had at the time or I'd surely given up on her.
My current one is a sensitive, hot, spooky thing. I tried to send him through at a lope and it magnified the problem. So I do believe some of them you do have to back down and go slow. So our current plan is lots of riding at home and lots of walking in strange places. I basically have taken him back to square one to retrain as he hadn't gotten enough consistency in training prior to be purchasing him IMO. Took him back off the pattern and just making him go everywhere with me and be comfortable. To be able to ride in some of the arenas, like you, I have to pay to exhibition. But I will try and go early before there's a line and literally use my exhibitions as walk/trot around the arena in the biggest cloverleaf possible lol. At least then I can get him right up to the fence with banners and stands, etc. Then if it's a long day I just ride him around the grounds as much as possible.
Don't worry if you feel discouraged, set backs seem to be the norm with the spooky ones. Play with going slow or going fast, but don't be afraid to back completely off if things get worse. Good luck and hopefully yours and mine eventually get there lol!
Thank you!!! Thanks also for being the first person to give me real advise on what to do...and not telling me I'm doing wrong by exhibitioning. My mare is far from green, she has a reining handle and knows her job on the barrels. Been on the pattern on and off for two years just hasn't been hauled to exhibition. I've hauled to warm up and ride around. Much better in outdoor pens than indoor. Handles the warm ups great but loses her mind being in the arena alone...surely if no one else is in there, something must eat her! She sounds similar to your broodmare. I guess I just need to set up our home arena like a show and haul the snot out of her.
Wow that was really RUDE of you saying that you were not giving any real advice untill this one came along, I thought you have gotton alot of good advice on here, you must be really young.. NO one told you not to Exhibition.. | |
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Regular
Posts: 73
Location: Central Texas | cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 10:42 AM I will haul them ride in the arena before during and after warmup. I won't do barrels till they are comfortable in the arena. I will camp on them the entire jackpot.
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Regular
Posts: 73
Location: Central Texas | cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 9:50 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 3:42 PM Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-08 12:15 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 11:54 AM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) Something else, I WILL NOT take a colt to a barrel race if I haven't ridden them enough that week. It's not fair to the horse to set them up for failure IMO. So you're telling me its never been too wet to ride where you are so you loaded up and hauled to ride? Same deal. She's not a colt, just a broodmare made barrel horse that needs exposure. They have to learn somehow. Its not like I entered her. If I can't get into an arena ahead of exhibitions, or timed onlies, depending on the rules, I will buy 5 minutes and lope circles off the pattern. If I must do the pattern, then I walk.
this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard! and trying to walk the pattern on a fire breathing dragon ammuses me. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Duvall, WA | One of the things I've done with my youngsters is go to games shows, or gymkhanas. Discovered it is a GREAT way to season them because you get go in the arena five times. Tons going on, loud, crowded, kids and horses flying everywhere. And I've had some hot horses, what I have found is they just can't be scared that long. By the end of the day they are way more relaxed. I feel like I've gotten six months of seasoning in on my four year old in two shows this year.
And before you roll your eyes at the gymkhana crowd, it sure seems to have taught Amber Moore well! It can be good for them, especially the youngsters if you aren't really running, Or putting pressure on them, just asking them to listen. Sometimes I modify what I ask them to do if it's a really weird event, but as long as they listen and turn its good. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-09 8:04 AM
WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 3:42 PM Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-08 12:15 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 11:54 AM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) Something else, I WILL NOT take a colt to a barrel race if I haven't ridden them enough that week. It's not fair to the horse to set them up for failure IMO. So you're telling me its never been too wet to ride where you are so you loaded up and hauled to ride? Same deal. She's not a colt, just a broodmare made barrel horse that needs exposure. They have to learn somehow. Its not like I entered her.
Me, too | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| WinningPaints - 2016-12-09 9:59 AM
cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 9:50 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 3:42 PM Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-08 12:15 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 11:54 AM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) Something else, I WILL NOT take a colt to a barrel race if I haven't ridden them enough that week. It's not fair to the horse to set them up for failure IMO. So you're telling me its never been too wet to ride where you are so you loaded up and hauled to ride? Same deal. She's not a colt, just a broodmare made barrel horse that needs exposure. They have to learn somehow. Its not like I entered her. If I can't get into an arena ahead of exhibitions, or timed onlies, depending on the rules, I will buy 5 minutes and lope circles off the pattern. If I must do the pattern, then I walk.
this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard! and trying to walk the pattern on a fire breathing dragon ammuses me.
Not really. | |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | GLP - 2016-12-10 7:57 AM WinningPaints - 2016-12-09 9:59 AM cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 9:50 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 3:42 PM Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-08 12:15 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 11:54 AM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) Something else, I WILL NOT take a colt to a barrel race if I haven't ridden them enough that week. It's not fair to the horse to set them up for failure IMO. So you're telling me its never been too wet to ride where you are so you loaded up and hauled to ride? Same deal. She's not a colt, just a broodmare made barrel horse that needs exposure. They have to learn somehow. Its not like I entered her. If I can't get into an arena ahead of exhibitions, or timed onlies, depending on the rules, I will buy 5 minutes and lope circles off the pattern. If I must do the pattern, then I walk. this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard! and trying to walk the pattern on a fire breathing dragon ammuses me. Not really.
yes you can slowly introduce your horse to the barrel race atmosphere and avoid the fire breathing on even the hottest horses.
I have had not only hot ones but hot ones that were broncs when scared and well I don't ride like i used to. pusing a horse to do something he is not mentally ready will really set you back. I " waste" one or two trips but then they just come right along after that. OP if you are interested in what I do and not going to get defensive I would be happy to tell you. I feel you had a lot of great advice here and got defensive and well that does not go to well around here.
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| WinningPaints - 2016-12-09 9:57 AM
cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 10:42 AM I will haul them ride in the arena before during and after warmup. I won't do barrels till they are comfortable in the arena. I will camp on them the entire jackpot.
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No where did I say you shouldn't, I wrote what I do, each person to their own. | |
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 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| kwanatha - 2016-12-11 8:17 AM GLP - 2016-12-10 7:57 AM WinningPaints - 2016-12-09 9:59 AM cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 9:50 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 3:42 PM Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-08 12:15 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 11:54 AM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) Something else, I WILL NOT take a colt to a barrel race if I haven't ridden them enough that week. It's not fair to the horse to set them up for failure IMO. So you're telling me its never been too wet to ride where you are so you loaded up and hauled to ride? Same deal. She's not a colt, just a broodmare made barrel horse that needs exposure. They have to learn somehow. Its not like I entered her. If I can't get into an arena ahead of exhibitions, or timed onlies, depending on the rules, I will buy 5 minutes and lope circles off the pattern. If I must do the pattern, then I walk. this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard! and trying to walk the pattern on a fire breathing dragon ammuses me. Not really.
I have had not only hot ones but hot ones that were broncs when scared and well I don't ride like i used to. pusing a horse to do something he is not mentally ready will really set you back. I " waste" one or two trips but then they just come right along after that. OP if you are interested in what I do and not going to get defensive I would be happy to tell you. I feel you had a lot of great advice here and got defensive and well that does not go to well around here.
Yes to this. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| WinningPaints - 2016-12-09 9:59 AM
cheryl makofka - 2016-12-08 9:50 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 3:42 PM Three 4 Luck - 2016-12-08 12:15 PM WinningPaints - 2016-12-08 11:54 AM Exhibitions are my way of getting my horse into the arena. Around here they don't let you into the arena unless exhibitioning or running. First time I hauled the mare, I sent her in and it blew her mind. It took everything in me to push her past the barrels because the fence line was obviously scary af. I guess because she was going fast enough to not really look other than being hella ratey. Second time, I exibitioned and she was looky, a little chargy in the bit, jumpy and antsy but nothing I couldn't control. She made the best run that second time I hauled. Third time (last night), she was zig zagging and trying to bolt and just losing it. Spooked at barrels, timers, announcer speaking, other horses, etc. Didn't get to ride much this past week and its cold. Was a bad night to say the least...felt like we took a giant step backwards. Then didn't want to load to come home! Lots of hauling in her future. Thinking I should just send her in and not trot like someone else said so she can't look at anything scary. I've just got to grow some first ;) Something else, I WILL NOT take a colt to a barrel race if I haven't ridden them enough that week. It's not fair to the horse to set them up for failure IMO. So you're telling me its never been too wet to ride where you are so you loaded up and hauled to ride? Same deal. She's not a colt, just a broodmare made barrel horse that needs exposure. They have to learn somehow. Its not like I entered her. If I can't get into an arena ahead of exhibitions, or timed onlies, depending on the rules, I will buy 5 minutes and lope circles off the pattern. If I must do the pattern, then I walk.
this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard! and trying to walk the pattern on a fire breathing dragon ammuses me.
Even a broke fire breathing dragon should be able to do slow work. Horses can have buttons and still not be broke. Broke to me means you can do what you want when you want, and how you want. Yes it takes hours upon hours months and years to develop a broke horse.
I am not talking western pleasure walk, yes some horses will have a spring in their step, and yes they may spook, (I expect this out of a green horse)it is my job as a rider to keep my body calm and relaxed, and keep reinforcing what I am telling them.
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Take them off the fire breathing grain and work their butt off. sometimes it just fixes everything. | |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | cow pie - 2016-12-10 1:02 PM
Take them off the fire breathing grain and work their butt off. sometimes it just fixes everything.
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