how long does it take to break a habit?

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pipper

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my pony has developed a 'habit' of spooking in one particular spot in the school. He is not scared i am sure of this. (back teeth tack ect all ok) he does this with other riders too - so its not just me!
the spooks are not very nice and im gradually losing cofindence. anyway this young girl (fab rider) has very kindly agreed to help 'de spook' him. she rode him yesterday and he did his usual chucking himself about at the designated area!
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But she worked him through it and eventually he was ok (still looking to spook.... but not actually doing it) she has said she will ride him regually to help get him through this.
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How long do you think it will take roughy before he stops. I know its a bit like asking 'how long is a piece of string' but to all of you who have 're schooled' a horse roughy how long????
many thanks
 
Is there any reason for him to sppok at this area? Have you tried walking him up to it in hand to show him it is ok? You could try feeding him there, food generally helps overcome most horsey fears!
 
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Is there any reason for him to sppok at this area? Have you tried walking him up to it in hand to show him it is ok? You could try feeding him there, food generally helps overcome most horsey fears!

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Paintedlady - i have tried EVERYTHING! I have done groundwork there - standing still, backing up, turn on the forehand all done without turning a hair! walked him backwards and forwards in hand - nothing! It seems to have almost developed into a game or habit now. I cnat see any thing that he would spook at. Its down the long side of the school but the spook is always at the same place. He seems to be looking into the distance when he does it - but he can see the same thing form any point along that side so seems strange to always pick that particular place!
 
Hmm that's annoying then! In that case I would let the girl carry on schooling him for you. It shouldn't really take long to overcome this at all, the key is to not let it become an issue. Next time you're on him and he spooks just ignore it and carry on with what you were doing. Try and really get him focusing on you all the time, do loads of transitions, leg yielding, changes of rein, school movements etc, to keep him occupied rather than giving him the chance to think about spooking. Sometimes it is best to work them away from the spooky area initially, until you have their attention, then as he becomes more focused on you gradually work towards the spooky place, but not making an issue out of it, and you should find he forgets about it being spooky.

The worst thing to do is to tell him off for spooking, as this then gives him something to spook at.
 
I would guess that if ned will do groundwork there quite happily, the problem is the RIDER expecting a spook there. If you expect it, a sensitive ned will pick up on your vibes and give it to you! If you have the nerve (best have Air Ambulance standing by just in case) get on your ned, close your eyes tight and let him wander all over the school. If YOU don't know he's approaching the scary bit, he shouldn't react. Alternatively, and safer lol, couldn't you get an expert, independent rider to come up and school your ned? You don't warn this rider of anything. You tack ned up, point rider in the direction of the school and then you go for a cup of tea. Return when schooling finished. Hopefully nothing will have happened because the new rider didn't expect there to be dragons in that spot.
 
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I would guess that if ned will do groundwork there quite happily, the problem is the RIDER expecting a spook there. If you expect it, a sensitive ned will pick up on your vibes and give it to you! If you have the nerve (best have Air Ambulance standing by just in case) get on your ned, close your eyes tight and let him wander all over the school. If YOU don't know he's approaching the scary bit, he shouldn't react. Alternatively, and safer lol, couldn't you get an expert, independent rider to come up and school your ned? You don't warn this rider of anything. You tack ned up, point rider in the direction of the school and then you go for a cup of tea. Return when schooling finished. Hopefully nothing will have happened because the new rider didn't expect there to be dragons in that spot.

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Now had 3 independent riders on him - havent said a word! still the same spook
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I thought it was me - even though i try my hardest not to anticipate. but its not as he does it with others. x
 
Dont worry, if this girl had him ok even tho it took a while it will all get better from here.
Once he knows she wont let him do it he will give up trying. Sounds like she is doing well on him so i would only let her ride him untill he has stopped spooking.
Has she only rode him once so far? If so i bet after the next few times he wont try it at all.
The hard part is then making sure he doesnt go back to his old ways with other people.
Good luck
 
My old instructor had a new forest pony who she occasionally used in lessons (she described him as a 'good challenge') and he would do this exactly as you describe in one spot in the school, regardless of different riders.

I never managed to get anywhere with this pony, he did my head in, so the only thing I can suggest is that if this girl can ride him through it, I'd leave schooling totally up to her until the problem's solved. You can still hack out etc just refrain from riding in the school until (hopefully) she solves the problem - this way it should only take a few weeks. Then perhaps get her to watch when you ride him again and talk you through riding him through it.

Its a weird, and hugely frustrating habit and speaking from experience I think it would be best if you try to get this girl to crack the problem, as if he continues to get away with it with you it isn't going to go away anytime soon. Its no reflection on your riding ability to take a step back, just that hopefully this way you nip it in the bud rather than let it develop into a long standing habit.
 
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My old instructor had a new forest pony who she occasionally used in lessons (she described him as a 'good challenge') and he would do this exactly as you describe in one spot in the school, regardless of different riders.

I never managed to get anywhere with this pony, he did my head in, so the only thing I can suggest is that if this girl can ride him through it, I'd leave schooling totally up to her until the problem's solved. You can still hack out etc just refrain from riding in the school until (hopefully) she solves the problem - this way it should only take a few weeks. Then perhaps get her to watch when you ride him again and talk you through riding him through it.

Its a weird, and hugely frustrating habit and speaking from experience I think it would be best if you try to get this girl to crack the problem, as if he continues to get away with it with you it isn't going to go away anytime soon. Its no reflection on your riding ability to take a step back, just that hopefully this way you nip it in the bud rather than let it develop into a long standing habit.

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thanks - youve just described exactly what we've planned to do! she rode him again this evening and he was foot perfect! she is going to ride him all week and if he has stopped i will get on next weekend with her there. (will just hack him myself) if he does it with me she can either jump straight back on him or hopefully shout instructions to me to ride me through it.
x
 
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