Afraid of the dark or just spooky?

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djb

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I have had my horse 5 weeks - he is rising 5 years old.

When he came he was good as gold in the school - not spooky at all even in the dark (I ride after work in outdoor school with lights). Gradually he has got more and more spooky - it is really difficult to get him to go down to one end of the school without him panicking.

I have lunged him down the "spooky" end a few times but he runs round me in a tiny circle - falling in round the scariest side and not settling at all even after 20-25 minutes.

He goes out about 3-4 days/week and is fed only hay and a small amount of hi-fi and garlic - no hard feed. He was on small amount of D&H ride and relax but I took him off that in case it was the cause.
He has had his teeth done and has had his back checked and was 5 stage vetted.

Unfortunately I don't have much choice but to use the school during the week as I work full time - he hacks at weekend and is quite relaxed.
He is ridden in a french link loos ring snaffle and flash.

Any suggestions to calm him down?
 
Think you just have to ride him through it and except that he may be trying it on - or just feeling very well. Or maybe a bit of both.

Horses, don't you just love em??
 
The horses at our yard try it on with one end of the school......it backs onto fields and there are usually foxes milling around.

I tend to just ignore it and work them through it - easier said than done sometimes thoughI know! x
 
You're probably right - just a bit un-nerving - I could feel his heart beating some of the time!

Roll on the lighter nights
 
I ask myself the same question daily, well I did until I put him on a calmer which has taken the edge of him enough. I totally sympathise with you, mine has one spot down the side of the arena where all the monsters live- as soon as he thinks they've moved he gallops across the arena in a flap and panic carefully avoiding me but stressing himself out senseless. I find though as soon as I up the work/concentration required his doesn't think about it any more. I got to the point where I considered blinkering him
crazy.gif
Not sure how that would have worked on a practical or psychological level
frown.gif

In the end I put him on NAF Magic and it's worked a treat with only one or two minor episodes
smile.gif


Good luck
 
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