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Regular
Posts: 59
| In January there is a indoor barrel race that I would like to go to. My mare has ran here once and she spooked a lot. Should I just go to exhibition like I think I should do. Also how can I get here used to flashing cameras since they always go off there? |
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Expert
Posts: 1280
 
Location: Texas | Is there a way that you can rent the arena for a couple of hours? It would help a lot just to ride in the arena and correct the spookiness by moving her feet. (I guess you could desensitize to flashing cameras at home, but I never have.) Remember, if you are worried, your mare will be worried. Focus on your job (barrels), and forget about the rest. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | The only way to get them used to is to take them. It's part of hauling and seasoning one, they all go through it.
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | BamaCanChaser - 2016-12-02 8:16 AM
The only way to get them used to is to take them. It's part of hauling and seasoning one, they all go through it.
Yep, the first few times I ran in an indoor, my horse wouldn't focus and was more spooky than normal. Then when he got over that, he would run fine, just way slower than outdoor arenas. We've run indoors so much this year that he's gotten pretty good about running wherever we go.
At first I would get at least one exhibition just to get him in the arena before our run. I eventually got to the point where I said screw it, I'm not going to exhibition him, I'm just going to send him in like he's been doing it his whole life. Being a confident rider makes a big difference. |
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4627
Location: Texas | I would suggest showing up early before the race and riding your mare in the arena for as long as possible before they have to start working the ground. Get a couple exhibitions and just take it easy until your actual run. It's going to take time and consistency to get her use to the surroundings. |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | BamaCanChaser - 2016-12-02 7:16 AM The only way to get them used to is to take them. It's part of hauling and seasoning one, they all go through it.
This.....ride as if you've rode there a million times before and don't focus on the "what if"
My horses looking around (colts) doesn't bother me as long as they are listening to me...I just took my 3 year old to an indoor recently (less then 20 rides), he'd never been to one let alone in a barn much...he looked around and behaved fine....he's got a great mind that helps.... |
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