Dressage help-slightly spooky horse...

[lilyoftheincas]

...usually ridden in running martingale.
Planning on doing an Intro A comp around Easter time and the pony I'm planning to ride is a little spooky (although improving) and to my knowledge is not used to being ridden without a running martingale (not allowed one in the test). I think it will be his first time, and my second. Any tips to avoid him getting eaten by the scary white boards, even scarier judges table, and even scarier photographer?

 

[Tickles]

Is it possible to do some practice in the same/a similar place before hand? If you don't have white boards you can use the traffic ones or planks ppl sometimes jump... Plus general de-spooking training (I like bribery... even if it is only with praise) may help.

Have fun!

ETS: in a dressage test you wouldn't expect a running martingale to be doing much as they only really have an effect when the head is way up (well, expect for deadening slightly your communication through the reins.) Have a go without before hand too. I've tasted ears when taking one off for the first time (big spook in a jumping arena) but no harm done ;-)

 

[lilyoftheincas]

Is it possible to do some practice in the same/a similar place before hand? If you don't have white boards you can use the traffic ones or planks ppl sometimes jump... Plus general de-spooking training (I like bribery... even if it is only with praise) may help.

Have fun!

ETS: in a dressage test you wouldn't expect a running martingale to be doing much as they only really have an effect when the head is way up (well, expect for deadening slightly your communication through the reins.) Have a go without before hand too. I've tasted ears when taking one off for the first time (big spook in a jumping arena) but no harm done ;-)

Thanks! In my lessons beforehand I think I will ask if he can have the martingale off