Bombproofing

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my2babys

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I need some ideas and suggestions on bombproofing, i have a 2.5 year old colt and a 10 year old welsh part bread.

Colt is really layed back and has been driven, my older horse however is a big time spooker, hated shooting and forestry, so need some ideas to go in tooth and nail and sort this problem once and for all.

I was thinking in the next paddock they graze against, put road signs, cones, and prob decoy pidgens as my husband is a keen shooter, (hence my spooky horse as he shoots on our land) what other scary things can i put in there? x
 
Nah said:
Maybe tie some tarpaulin in there? Loose so it flaps. Or flags maybe?
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Tarpaulin! Past it, over it, under it, wrapped in it, it flapping in the wind. The list of scary things tarpaulin can manage is phenomenal! :D

Anything you could encounter on the roads is good - sandbags, cones, steal a few road signs (:eek:), have someone walk past you with a dog.. Just anything.
Plastic bag flapping in the wind if you dare ;)
 
Bunches of balloons, puddles, funny looking hats, friends on bicycles, getting people to clap and cheer loudly :) Michael Peace has a book called "The 100% Horse: How to Create the Go-Anywhere, Do-Anything Horse" which I really recommend, he has some amazing advice in there! He also has one especially for youngsters too I think. He used to help train police horses amongst other things.
 
De-spooking to shooting is easy. Forget the pigeon decoys. The cavalry used to fire a cannon when their horses got their oats at midday. So, think of "The Charge of the Light Brigade". Also, watch cowboy films!:D

I sold a pony to a lady on a shooting estate with similar worries. Simple! I fired a shot from a blank pistol every day when I turned up with the hard feed. Within a few days I had the herd galloping up the field to the sound of the shot. I'd then let off random shots as they ate. Start a fair way away and get a bit closer every day.

De-spooking works best with food, with natives anyway.;)
 
Sometimes works too well. OH and I always shot on last land. Moved horses home where a shoot goes through regularly... Asked about New horses if they'd be worried and we chuckled a little... They came back after to say the whole herd had stalked them with heads almost on shoulders for most of the time out there... They'd managed to get one shot off before they'd been joined :)
I've only ever known one horse terrified of it when we shot regularly and he was scared of his own shadow.
 
I've never really gone in for having bombproofing sessions, I just incorporate wierd stuff into everyday routines. So I might groom holding an umbrella, or bring in to feed & tie up next to flapping tarpaulin, or bring in for hay while stuffs going on. Plus aim to be out & about while unusual things are happening. Eg a while back we had massive road works, drills, jcbs, barriers, temp traffic lights etc. So I found a tiny side road that could be accessed without going through roadworks, with a long grass verge, that came out onto the middle of the chaos. Then took daughters pony to graze the verge & have a look. Then took her through on a Sunday when no traffic, & she didn't bat an eyelid. Best thing for bombproofing though is a bombproof horse the other respects the choices of. They simply copy the calm reaction of the other.
 
Dry Rot said:
De-spooking to shooting is easy. Forget the pigeon decoys. The cavalry used to fire a cannon when their horses got their oats at midday. So, think of "The Charge of the Light Brigade". Also, watch cowboy films!:D

I sold a pony to a lady on a shooting estate with similar worries. Simple! I fired a shot from a blank pistol every day when I turned up with the hard feed. Within a few days I had the herd galloping up the field to the sound of the shot. I'd then let off random shots as they ate. Start a fair way away and get a bit closer every day.

De-spooking works best with food, with natives anyway.;)
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Thanks never thought of that!, he only has to see my hubby carrying the gun and he is gone! lol will try food!! lol x
 
PandorasJar said:
Sometimes works too well. OH and I always shot on last land. Moved horses home where a shoot goes through regularly... Asked about New horses if they'd be worried and we chuckled a little... They came back after to say the whole herd had stalked them with heads almost on shoulders for most of the time out there... They'd managed to get one shot off before they'd been joined :)
I've only ever known one horse terrified of it when we shot regularly and he was scared of his own shadow.
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I have one of tho's horses lol x
 
All my ponies are bomb proof.

But then the stud is situated next to an MOD weapons training area!:D

(So they specialise in spooking at things that aren't bombs....:rolleyes:).
 
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