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Horse Behavior and Training

horse loses focus when mare in the arena

By:

abbydabby

Date:

2013-Jul-15 at 10:07PM

Hi can anyone offer some advice - my usually very willing boy is really hard to keep focused on schooling if he sees a mare anywhere near, whilst he isnt doing anything "naughty" he just cant concentrate on what i am asking of him if there is someone riding in the school with me and i cant imagine what he would make of a competition situation! He doesnt act riggy but i am not sure if he has ever been turned out with mares!

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2013-Jul-16 at 04:03PM

Hi - hard to know whats happening without seeing this but a couple of things to get started... 1. Do some groundwork with him in the school with another horse in (natraly be very careful to stay safe) - preferable with a good old dually :-). 2. These things can become a self fulfilling prophecy i.e. he gets distracted, you worry about it, next tiem you go in, you look at the other horse/begin to worry if he will get distracted, so he does...do you see what I mean? It can get to the point where it becomes unclear who is distracting who - you expect him to misbheave so he does etc. The groundwork may help to break this circular process and get him to focus on you. 3. It is important to 'interrupt' him the SECOND he is distracted - we often leave it too long and then its hard to get them back on track. Im sure others will have lots of thoughts. Keep us posted :-)

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2013-Jul-16 at 04:04PM

Apologies for the typos....typing too quickly again!

abbydabby 2013-Jul-16 at 09:05PM

Thanks i will try some ground work although tend to get very funny looks from people on the yard when i do!

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2013-Jul-16 at 09:33PM

Ignore them :-) All that matters is the relationship you and your horse have.

Certified Instructor Ann Lindberg/Sweden 2013-Jul-16 at 09:39PM