Disatrous day - monster horse

[_daisy_]

Well the usual well mannered fit horse has been a total monster. I need your help guys and ideas really even though I think I may know what youre going to say.

I took my youngster to a dressage competition. We didnt get through the first movement before I called it a day. We started off ok-ish but before we got to C she slammed the anchors on and refused to go forward. Then thought about it and ran sideways up the long side of the arena. Tried to turn her and she was having non of it so I called it a day and asked the judge if I could walk her around till the time of my test had finished - she agreed and gave me some great pointers on managing the monster but said the only way I could get her over it was perseverance.

So any ideas/tips on a horse that is scared of new places, new things, new everything really? Shes great when she knows where she is and will work wonderfully soft round and consistant but today was a new place and it totally blew her brains. Now I have thought about hiring different arensa in the area to get her used to them but thats going to cost me a bomb (but so will me entering for a aff BD test and not getting to do it!)

 

[Jemayni]

i think you know the answer! Its just experience, experience experience! My pony is always like this, you just have to do loads of dressage & he'll eventually get used to it!

 

[pottamus]

My horse was like it anywhere new...even if you just took him for a hack somewhere new! He was a nightmare when I started doing endurance...spooking and stopping dead at everything...including animals he was used to and tree logs in the forest!!! But over time he got over it and settled. I was just calm with him but insisted he go past the monster or scary thing. It is time, patience and practice! The idea about taking her to different arenas is good too.