Scary objects - ideas?

[Tinkle]

Wasn't entirely sure what to title this thread but basically I'm after some ideas for scary objects I could make/use in the arena for my nappy, spooky 5yr old for in-hand, lunge and eventually ridden work? Like the exercises the Mounted Police do with their new recruits.

Sure we have a few cones around at the yard and could fill some bin bags (his current pet hate). Any other ideas?

x

 

[Jade2007]

Bright coloured rugs

 

[Libbyn1982]

I used to use rug when my horse decided he wouldn't jump anything green!! Feed sacks as well???

 

[SamuelWhiskers]

umbrella's?

 

[buzzles]

Flowers!! My horse was terrified of brightly coloured flowers and has often let me down at dressage comps as he's so busy spooking at the flowers aroung the arena he gets all tense and hollow. So I bought some flower pots and fake plastic flowers of all different types and colours and put them all around the arena at home. The silly idiot still spooks at them but not so badly. Banners tied on the arena fence are also a good idea as these are often at competition venues, and are another thing my horse has issues with! I just use brightly coloured feed sacks tied to the arena fence at home.

 

[teapot]

tarpaulin (if you can get hold of it) esp the blue stuff! Balloons are another one - we put them in a handy pony course year one year (the kids were more scared than the ponies). Any bags from supermarkets esp if they've got bright writing on them etc etc

 

[Bubblegum]

Bunting... red, white and blue... of course!!!
Our bombproof welsh 12.2, absolute champion of handy pony...it was the only thing he hated!!!!
Have fun!

 

[Tinkle]

Thanks all - excellent ideas. Just been searching for our very old multicoloured umbrella as that may prove useful. Just hoping this is going to give him a bit more confidence in himself (and me) and he'll hopefully start to be a little bolder out hacking.

Keep the ideas coming!

x

 

[trendybraincell]

fancy dress outfits!

Sounds weird I know, but at my old yard we had a Sponge Bob Squarepants fancy dress costume, not only did it provide slightly tipsy adults hours of entertainment when we had bbq's but made for a fab jump filler.

I can safely say my gelding is Sponge Bob proof!!

 

[Baggybreeches]

Hmm could prove difficult if your horse is anything like mine as scary things change from day to day, sometimes its a coke can other times purple hydrangas, sometimes its the empty space where a scary thing should be!