My pony is terrified of

Janah

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Hot air ballons. I avoid riding first or last thing at this time of year. He isn't too bad if he can see them when turned out in his field and stands and watches them on 'High Alert'

The other morning I made the mistake of riding out early and he stopped dead. I didn't realise at first what was wrong as I couldn't see the ballon, but he had heard it way before I was aware of it. He was so tense I could feel his heart beating. I could do nothing with him other than sit on him, then he tried to bolt for home. I managed to stop him and got off as he is usually very good when I am on the ground and takes confidence from me. Not this time, I thought I was going to be squished underfoot or he was going to do himself real harm, leaping about, rearing etc.

He will pass all traffic, doesn't mind jets, helicopters or anything else we have come across.

Does anyone else have this problem.

Jane
 
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dont have it with the horse. Although saying that new horse hasnt actually seen one when iv been with him. However our dog HATES them, she goes in the garden and stands barking and doing a mad demented routine until its passed but even then she looks for it. Its like they arent supposed to be there!! I think its the firing that does it with her though.
 
This is really interesting, it hadn't occurred to me that they'd bother horses as I've been hacking my 5 year old out in the very early mornings before work and we've seen one pretty much every time. She didn't tell me they are monsters in disguise, probably too busy being on guard for the hedge monster!
 
I've had 2 Clydesdale mares.
The 1st came almost face to face with a hot air balloon, as we set off on a hack, one day, it appeared up an escarpment just in front of us. She took it completely in her stride - as TBF, did the Appaloosa that she was nannying.
The 2nd met a hot air balloon for the first time (as far as I know) when one came down in our field, travelled across the field and knocked down the wall. She hated them ever afterwards. I'm not to keen on them either - the connections of the one that demolished the wall just disappeared without paying for it to be rebuilt, or even an apology. At the time we were too busy trying to calm the horses down to chase them.
 
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