Does this happen to anyone else?

[blitznbobs]

So some of u might have read my 'pigeon thread' yesterday... My cob has a pathological fear of the blasted birds... Anyhoo we were in the ménage this evening and my horsey as usual threw a wobbler about the aforementioned birds skedaddled sideways and bolted for the gate. This is not altogether unexpected so I sat tight and rather than pulling him up I pushed him up into the contact and asked for a proper canter.., well b*****r me, that little cob can do a fab upright collected canter... Never knew he could work quite that well! Does anyone else use 'bad' behaviour to develop their pony's paces or is this a well versed tactic in 'cob' land?

 

[tallyho!]

No... but I'm hiring a flock of pigeons to put in the tree and give that a go myself!!!!!

Thanks for the tip

 

[horseless jorge!]

I do, definitely! All the time, if they're being bad then they get made to work harder. I never allow them to stop, unless it's something we can stop and look at, like a scary bag etc.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Yes, most definately!
Large fuzzy has been put into leg yielding at any given time, pushed on into full collection when pratting about - I'm a stong believer in getting minor or major panics/tantrums/spooks converted into 'listening to mother' for something different

 

[blitznbobs]

Tallyho...You can have my pigeonsif u like...

 

[wellsat]

When I used to have a cob I found windy days were great for asking for medium trot!

 

[tallyho!]

Done! Stick 'em in a box, first class!

I have a clyde x appy. The most laid back rastafarian horse you could ever meet. Any glimmer of a "whoopee" day is harnessed and made the most out of... there is a bull in a paddock opposite our field that likes to grumble at anything and that gets him going - a bit ... I think he's off to service his cows soon though... bum.

 

[darkhorse123]

if i spot anythng coming up i think or know will spook him its kick on into trot - never no problems then x

 

[Jakeyboy]

When I first got my boy (a Danish Warmblood) I had terrible trouble with 'killer pigeons' mostly because the previous owner would wait for the spook because she had spotted them 1st. She would then throw a tantrum on board give him a smack ( ) then get off. So when i got him it had turned into a brilliant game of, spook = no work! (especially as he is a lazy boy) I spent the 1st couple of months using the killer pigeons to my advantage, when he spooked he would get sent forward into the contact & the change in pace made my idea. He soon got bored of the extra work & realised its much easier to do things without spooking. He is also much more off the leg & not so lazy now. Hate to admit it but actually have alot to thank the pigeons for!

 

[irish_only]

We used to do the 'pig' piaffe