50/ OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 THE RIDER
left. Keep the horse in as tight a cir- cle or turn as possible until he sub- mits to you and control is regained. Then, go back and address the obsta- cle again.
Building A Partnership with Your Young Horse
Training Outside the Box, Part 9 By Lynn Palm
This month, we con- tinue our discussion of the “spooky” horse with ways to handle the situation while mounted.
Instead of using the “move away from me” command, use your seat, leg, and hand aids to put him back in position.
Stop before getting to the spooky object and allow the horse his head so he can see it with both eyes. Once he seems to accept it, take a few steps towards it, stop, and let him look again. If he does not stop but starts “danc- ing” around, reposition him on the exact point where you asked him stop.
What do you do and what is the aids sequence when a horse spooks? First, quickly turn him with the inside rein, and just as quickly loosen the outside rein. Keep him turning in as tight a circle as possible until you get control. Be very careful not to keep a tight outside rein. The horse may react to this by rearing. Do not pull on
both reins either. The horse will only “run” through the reins. Do not look down at whatever the horse is react- ing to, but instead look up and away from it. Hold onto the saddle horn with the same hand that is hold- ing the outside rein.
If the frightening ‘thing’ is a moving, living thing, such as a dog, a child, or a bike, let the moving object approach you. Keep your horse fac- ing it at all times. Do not let him turn and bolt. If it feels like this is what he wants to do, dismount. If you are nervous yourself about whatever the object is, your horse immediately will sense this. So, if you feel more confident on the ground, by all means dismount. Hold onto the lead rope or longe line that is attached to the halter worn over the bridle (as described in the last article), not the reins, with both hands, and be pre- pared to check him if he tries to bolt. If you have a horse that tends to be spooky, go trail riding with a rider with a gentle, “laid back” horse that can give your horse confidence. Another possibility is to teach your horse how to pony on a longe line next to a calm horse.
For example, if the horse spooks and moves to the left, quickly shorten the inside left rein to turn him tightly to the left while loosening the outside right rein held in the right hand. Look over your left shoul- der as you turn him to the
The next time you plan to go out on the trail with a spooky horse, longe him longer than you did in the past before getting on him for your ride. The goal should be not to get him tired out, but just to make him more humble to accept his new sur- roundings while on the trail. It’s a good idea is to hike the trail before taking your horse out on it. This allows you to analyze spots where you may need to stop to allow him time to accept questionable
objects.
When a horse is taken into a new environment, his level of sensi- tivity and tendency to overreact will increase. He is being placed in a new situation or being asked to do some- thing he has never done before. Often riders who are surprised at their horse’s spooky reaction will say, “my horse has never done this before.” Chances are that is exactly what is causing the spooky behavior. Because the horse has no experience with the situation, he becomes overly sensitive and reactive. It is the rider’s responsibility to anticipate that these situations may happen and be pre- pared to handle them effectively.
Tips for Dealing with a Spooky Horse
l. Do not look down at the spooky areas. Always look over and beyond obstacles that could have the poten- tial to spook your horse. Why? Because when you look down and have negative thought about the obstacle, the horse picks up these negative feelings. Give him positive thoughts. Say to yourself: “I am going over to the other side of this water crossing” or “I’m going to keep my horse responding to my aids and commands.” Be confident and build your horse’s sense of security. 2. If you are hesitant about dealing with issues of spooking, or if you are inexperienced, trail ride in a western saddle for more security.
3. When riding away from the barn or trailer, make sure you and your horse are well exercised and warmed
up. The horse should be walking qui- etly. Practice “forward” work when you are going away from the barn or trailer. Forward work includes walk to trot, trot to lengthening trot, trot to canter, and yielding at the trot both to the left and right. The more often you change gaits, and speed with gaits (transitions), the more it will improve the horse’s concentration on you rather than him being worried about his surroundings.
4. When coming back to the barn or trailer, or when turning around on the trail to return “home,” do “slow down” work to keep his focus on you rather than mindlessly rushing back and possibly discovering something to spook at. Slow down work includes slow trot to walk, walk to stop, yielding at the walk both right and left, stopping, turn on the haunches and forehand, mounting and dismounting.
The key to solving the issue of spooking is not allow the horse to take charge of the situation. If he does, the horse is being allowed to go out on the trail prematurely. Both horse and rider need to go back to work in a big field or arena until they gain more confidence and skill together. If spookiness is becoming a safety issue or a constant frustration, you need to be realistic and consider choosing a different horse, at least for trail riding.
My E-Book, Training Outside the Box, is available online at
www.lynnpalm.com along with other valuable training product. You also may contact us at 800-503-2824.
Yann Candele Claims Caledon Cup at Canadian Show Jumping Tournament
with Carlotta Singular, but that didn’t stop the hometown favourite from putting on a show for the crowd. With the 12-year-old Game Ready, Candele raced through the timers in 37.57 sec- onds. While it wasn’t fast enough to take over the lead, it did give the win to Carlotta Singular and second place to Game Ready.
“You have to be lucky to even get in the jump-off, and then having two experienced horses helps,” said Can- dele, 41, of his success with the horses owned by Susan Grange of Lothlorien Farm in Cheltenham, ON. “Both hors- es won here this week, and were expected to do well in the grand prix. I am thrilled that, even with the extra pressure we had on us, we were able to succeed.”
phases of competition, Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, and Game Ready were awarded the Caledon Cup, presented in memory of Gordon Kirton, to conclude the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament in Palgrave, ON.”
Palgrave, Ontario – Having dominated the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, Yann Candele of Cale- don, ON, rode away with the Caledon Cup on Sunday, September 23. Can- dele won all three phases of competi- tion comprising the Caledon Cup at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON, recently named the official eques- trian venue of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. Candele won Thursday’s $15,000 Caledon Cup Phase 1 riding Carlotta Singular, and returned to the grand prix arena on Saturday to win the $35,000 Caledon Cup Phase 2 with Game Ready. In Sunday’s third and final phase, the $50,000 RAM Equestrian Caledon Cup Phase 3, Candele quali- fied both Carlotta Singular and Game Ready for the five horse jump-off. Mac Cone, 60, of King City, ON, opened the jump-off with a clear per- formance in a time of 38.93 seconds riding Unanimous, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by The Unanimous Group and Southern Ways.
His 2008 Olympic silver medal teammate Jill Henselwood, 49, of Oxford Mills, ON, was next in the ring with New Idol Z. Henselwood has
been riding the eight-year-old grey Zangersheide mare since last summer, and the pair recently stepped up to the grand prix level. They produced a clear round over Leopoldo Palacois’s shortened jump-off track, but their time of 40.85 seconds would leave them in fifth place in the final standings. Riding a hot streak, Candele was next in the ring with Carlotta Singular, a 10-year-old Hannoverian mare. The pair were recently the travel- ing alternates for the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the 2012 London Olympic Games and used their experience to produce a clear round in a time of 37.08 seconds to move into the lead.
Erynn Ballard, 32, of Totten- ham, ON, qualified her new mount, Quintello, for the jump- off. In only their second competi- tion together, Ballard and Quintel- lo were clear in a time of 39.50 seconds to take fourth place. A 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Quintello is owned by Francis Berger of Southshore Farm of Mont St. Hilaire, QC, and Tjeert Rijkens of Germany.
While Carlotta Singular won the $50,000 RAM Equestrian Caledon Cup Phase 3, Game Ready had the highest point total overall and was awarded the Caledon Cup, presented by the Kirton family in memory of their father, Gord Kirton.
“I would especially like to thank the Kirton family for their support of the Caledon Cup,” said Candele who has lived in Canada since relocating from France in 1999 to work for Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON. “I have been close friends with Kim Kirton and the Kirton
Yann Candele of Caledon, ON, guides Carlotta Singular to victory in the $50,000 RAM Equestrian Caledon Cup Grand Prix. All Photo Credits – Cealy Tetley,
www.tetleyphoto.com
family for many years since coming to Canada, and it was very special to receive the award from them.” Candele continued, “It was great to win in front of a home crowd. By hosting the Pan American Games in 2015, Palgrave is going to attract more and more attention to our sport in the coming years, and it is great that the local community can start to become familiar with the big names in show jumping that com- pete at the Caledon Equestrian Park.”
As the final challenger, Can- dele already had the win sewn up
“This year’s Children’s Wish recipient, 10-year-old Hannah Smith of Cardston, AB, takes a spin during Saturday night’s BBQ and NationWide Auto Warranty Mechanical Bull Riding Challenge.”
In addition to showcasing the best horses in the country, the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tourna- ment is held for the benefit of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. This year’s recipient, Hannah Smith, 10, of Cardston, AB, was granted her wish for a horse, presented by 2008 Olympic team silver medalists Jill Hensel- wood and Mac Cone. Following the $50,000 RAM Equestrian Grand Prix, Candele, as well as several other competitors, auto- graphed their ribbons for Smith. Throughout the course of the week-
end, several initiatives including the Jumping For Dreams luncheon, BBQ, and NationWide Auto Warranty Mechanical Bull Riding Challenge, raised funds and awareness for the Canadian Show Jumping Tourna- ment’s long-time and very special charity partner.
For more information on the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, including full results, please visit
www.equiman.com.
$50,000 RAM Equestrian Caledon Cup Phase 3 – Sunday, September 23
2. Yann Candele, Caledon, ON, Game Ready, 0:0, 37.57
5. Jill Henselwood, Oxford Mills, ON, New Idol Z, 0:0, 40.85
7. Angela Covert-Lawrence, St. Lazare, QC, Utan, 4 8. Ainsley Vince, Burlington, ON, Darling, 4 9. Erynn Ballard, Tottenham, ON, Wennous, 4 10. Neil Badcock, King City, ON, Campino, 4 11. Lauran Patava, Etobicoke, ON, Sly, 4 12. Kelley Robinson, Russell, ON, Enzo, 5
Rider/ Hometown/ Horse/ Faults/ Time 1. Yann Candele, Caledon, ON, Carlotta Singular, 0:0, 37.08
3. Mac Cone, King City, ON, Unanimous, 0:0, 38.93 4. Erynn Ballard, Tottenham, ON, Quintello, 0:0, 39.50
6. Francois Lamontagne, St. Eustache, QC, Under- groud des Hauts Droits, 4
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