Not a spooky horse.. but maybe...

Question
Hi Michael! I have a 2 year old tb mare, and she is my first horse, i have been riding for over almost 2 years solid and on and off before then. I'm 20 and i've had her for 3 months. She is one of the most well behaved horses i have ever worked with.  We do parelli games and i free work her often, mostly at the walk with 1 round both ways at the trot. She is excellent. She's not very spooky either. I was wondering about how i can go about testing how spooky she is, i know one way is to tie a plastic bag to a crop, and see how she reacts to the noise. But what else can i do? Have her walk on tarps? What would you suggest for us? (i am planning on riding her next fall)

Answer
Sarah -

The bag on a crop idea works well.  I recommend putting it on a lunge whip first and doing it from the ground, then from the saddle with a crop.  Tarps are good - especially plastic ones.  If you can put up small flags or ribbons where you work with her, that can help also.

Past that it depends on what and where you plan on riding.  If you a going to ride on trails where there may be bike riders, have someone ride a bike nearby as you work with her.  I do a lot of reinactments where it is common to hear gunfire and be around campfires.  So I have a small hand drum I use around the horse to help desensitize them to "booming" noises, and I frequently burn leaves in their pastures to get them used to the smells, and looks of campfires.  Think about what you may come in contact with in your area and expose your horse to it.

Good job on thinking ahead!

Best of Luck
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs