STOCKYARD
HORSE  DISCUSSION FORUMS

morris

Hi
I'm having difficulty convincing my mare that there is no monster in the corner of the arena. She is paddocked next door, and is so terrified she won't walk around her own paddock, she huddles by teh gate all day. I can ride her through the corner, but she gets more and more anxious, and loses all concentration. I've checked in case the monster was real (eg snake), but couldn't find anything. This is a new behaviour, and Lasix's horse thinks the corner is just fine.
How can I help her? (PS moving the arena is not an option!)

equus

My girl did this after some trees were cut down across the road. She was fine for a few days after but then I think the sudden openess across the road freaked her out. I got her over it by walking her over on-ground and letting her take her time over figuring it out. Don't know if that would help at all?

nannygoat

Put a feed bucket there for a while??

pso

Cut her feed down...work/paddock her with a buddy...check diet for mineral imbalance...

biscay

agree with above, but also add,

Try working her harder up the other end of arena where she likes to work, then, when you get to the scary corner, let her stop and halt and rest...
Continue to do this , and in the end, the "scary" corner actually becomes the good corner because she gets to relax. ( well thats the theory hehe ).

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Insanity is heriditary - I get it from my kids

simbin

Thats interesting biscay what a great idea.

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Ltd Edition Madcow

there's a monster in my arena too!!!! He normally only stays up the one end though....must be an epidemic?

Actually last time I was angry as I thought my horse was just being stupid and wouldn't go anywhere near the end for 15mins. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a fox sitting underneth the trees. Horse was still being stupid but at least the monster did actually exist! I could easily not have seen it though (esp since my head was dangling very close to the ground at one point )

Bec1404

Perhaps try to get your horse to shoulder-in or exaggerate the inside bend as you go past that area. Lots of inside leg should (hopefully) keep the horses attention on what you're suposed to be doing!! Feeding her near the scary corner is also a great idea

Stormy

i had a monster in the corner of our arena (cat fell out of tree in shadows from lights at night - understandable), i just use a lot of inside leg so he can't actually look at the corner and he is better now though i do beleive there is a possum in the tree now.

but this does not help with scary corner of the arena affecting them in the paddock - maybe feed her in that corner so she starts to realise that it's not so bad

sil

Have to agree with Bec - horse needs to focus more on you. The issue is not that she is spooking but that she is ignoring your aids. More inside leg on and work her through the corner no-fuss. If you know it's going to be an issue, nail her between your hand and leg before you get to the dodgy spot.

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