Would Your Horse Spook? - Pony of the Year Show

I think its pretty harsh to put stuff like this in the ring, its not a de-spooking contest. A lot of mine will jump absolutely anything but if you put something weird in the middle of the ring randomly thats a different story!
 
Even with lots of despooking you can't predict behaviour. I hacked out wazzocky Irish on Monday - in the gale. That was fine. The blue tarpaulin semi covering a boat next to the main road - that was billowing and looked like a scary monster that would come and get you - not even a snort let alone a boggle both times we passed it. The completely motionless piece of carpet that someone had left one the opposite side of the road = meltdown.
 
Lanky Loll said:
Even with lots of despooking you can't predict behaviour. I hacked out wazzocky Irish on Monday - in the gale. That was fine. The blue tarpaulin semi covering a boat next to the main road - that was billowing and looked like a scary monster that would come and get you - not even a snort let alone a boggle both times we passed it. The completely motionless piece of carpet that someone had left one the opposite side of the road = meltdown.
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That made me laugh.

Mine is pretty bombproof when it comes to traffic, pretend 'hanging men' in the Pheasant woods. Scary fillers, tarpaulins, deer running right in front of him, etc. etc. but a person on foot where he doesn't think one should be - Weeping Angels from Dr Who as far as he's concerned.

The other day a lady riding whilst leading a small pony (without a rider) was so terrifying after freezing for 30 secs, he then turned and galloped off in the opposite direction. Even when I managed to convince him he could go past them he did dragon snorting and a lovely big elevated trot! If the pony had a rider, he wouldn't have batted an eyelid!

So, I think he'd look at the gorillas etc but might be okay, who can tell LOL However, if there was a person standing in the ring (like when I did a WH class) that would freak him out.
 
See Frank is usually fine with whatever if he is showjumping! If he is enjoying himself everything is fine, if he decides it is too much work he can spook at whatever he fancies like in our lesson yesterday....
 
I couldn't guarantee that Orca would be fine with it - but I'd be willing to bet she would be! Haven't seen anything phase her yet.

In fact just this morning, the other liveries were in stitches over her chasing a tractor, which was towing loads of children in blue barrel carts past the sand school at speed :D
 
Most likely! That said the fizzy Sec A coped fine last thurs hen having to walk past the rugby training - I think he wanted to join in! The 21yr old dope on a robe turned into a 17hh snorting monster at the mere sight of them running about shouting.
 
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