| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ari |
Posted - 16 Aug 2014 : 7:13:58 PM
My boy is forward going and loves being out, he is 11 and copes with the real scary things by listening to me and at the most just doing a bit of amateur passage to get past. He will take the lead past dogs, pheasants and all things animal with not a flicker of interest. Cyclists can pass him at speed with only inches to spare. He does, puddles, leads through bogs and mud with expert ease. However his more spectacular swerves are at leaves or imaginary things on the ground and only if in the lead. This worries companion riders more than me as I know he won't follow up with any bucks, rears or dash for home. I trust him so just reassure him collect our thoughts and on we go first time of asking.
I have spent hours walking him over poles and things on the ground in the school and he's totally relaxed with that and it has helped a lot.
I ride on moorland with very varied terrain and my view is he is looking out for us by being very careful of his footing (no need I know the paths and so does he).
He is well worth the odd swerve and it's good for the heart to have the odd scare; just running this by learned friends in case I am missing a trick as advice always welcome.
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| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ari |
Posted - 22 Aug 2014 : 10:29:55 PM
Pasch, "frozen" is good lol and so agree if people speak it makes all the difference. We've met people with high back packs and chaps carrying children on their shoulders that cause a bit of concern as 9ft tall people are unusual but as soon as they say hello then the Arab thinks people and all's ok. My pals Highland had a total melt down at a lady in a very lovely white coat but he couldn't see her face for huge white fluffy hood. She kindly got out of our way behind a bush which made things even worse as he thought she was hiding ready to get him. My Arab had already sussed she was ok when she said Hello lol
I am learning so much from this topic really enjoying sharing  |
| Pasch |
Posted - 22 Aug 2014 : 9:51:29 PM
We hardly ever see bracken here but Armos is the same with agaves,the big ones,he probably thinks they are some giant spiky octopuses and will get him if he passes too close
Not really bothered by cyclists but once a guy running in high-viz clothes was coming our direction on a narrow dirt road,he stopped dead and was very worried until I said "good afternoon" to the guy and he answered back.Then he realised he was a human and relaxed!
Ari I'm still laughing at your and your friend's horse frozen for 10 minutes! |
| T42 |
Posted - 22 Aug 2014 : 9:31:36 PM
How right you are about the bracken. Twice now I've been cantering along a track & the dear boy has stopped dead, no warning. So there we were cantering along another track, killer bracken sticking out from the hedge, but I was ready & kicked on, well to be more accurate we went from canter to stop & back to canter without missing a beat. He had the last laugh though. Trotting down the road he spotted a clump of crocosima (orange flowers) we passed it sideways, sort of bent in a U shape with lots of snorting & arched neck. He makes a fuss about any yellow or orange flowers, so it starts with the daffodils & just carries on 'til the autumn. The funny thing is that he doesn't care about riding through bracken that is as high as the saddle. Like all your horses, utterly trustworthy in traffic, doesn't bother about tractors, trailers, bikes, etc, etc, but wave something "natural" at him and you get the full performance. Don't you just love 'em? Makes me laugh every time we go out. |
| Ari |
Posted - 22 Aug 2014 : 8:24:55 PM
Well spotted Raf that's a spook well worth it and that's just the thing Ari would do.
Don't get me started on Rabbit holes, I check every inch of turnout fields like a woman possessed. All creatures deserve a place to live but why oh why does it have to be a hoof sized hole of great depth. We have hay fields that we don't use for horses and we get to ride in them for a few weeks before the cows take up residence but I even check my routes just in case.
Rabbit rant over lol
It's fascinating comparing how different breeds react. I know a lovely Connie lady who is a dream to ride until she meets a human on a bicycle. She is ok if we stop and Ari is between her and the cyclist who then has to pass slowly but she would be a nightmare on her own especially if cyclist didn't slow down as no way would she be prepared to "freeze" and think it through.
Can remember meeting a hand glider on the moor when Ari was only young and out with my pals bombproof Andalusian, we couldn't get either of them to move a step in any direction for about 10 minutes until it had gone far enough away. Frustrating but safe lol |
| Liz100 |
Posted - 22 Aug 2014 : 12:37:08 PM
Originally posted by Ari
My pals cob had a different approach the other day when he saw it, said no and meant it. Thinking wasn't on his agenda.
Thanks for putting into words the difference between my Arab and OH's non-Arab - that's it exactly!
I had good reason to be grateful for Raf's 'safety checks' a couple of evenings ago. He didn't spot a snake, but he did see a rabbit hole in the middle of a stubble field that he was about to put his foot into. With the speed he jumped back I thought he had found a snake.
Luckily we were only walking, but we had enjoyed a lovely canter in that field earlier on. I won't be doing that again though |
| Ari |
Posted - 21 Aug 2014 : 7:38:05 PM
Glad I'm not alone with spooks of a vegetable nature lol. We have what I think is a Burdock growing at the side of some tracks, huge rhubarb like leaves that are horrific only to Arabs.
This week we have electricity posts being replaced, resulting in generators the size of transit vans humming noisily around every corner, JCBs leaving muddy tracks and ground damage and a huge cable across the lane covered by a red and black plastic sleeping policeman like gadget. I'm thinking all his nightmares rolled into one so took him for a look see.
However have to report sensible behaviour, ignored generators that had caused non Arab riders most problem and yes had an eye popping moment at the cable carry on gave it a good think then walked over it.
My pals cob had a different approach the other day when he saw it, said no and meant it. Thinking wasn't on his agenda which is why he is so bombproof at the things Ari sees at the last minute on the ground and spooks.
Linda I love your reference to Rod Hulls emu, in my case it's like riding a giant cat he's so quick, very grateful it's over in seconds and only follow up is look see and get over it lol.
Yes Arabs are different and clever, that's why we love em so much.
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| Callisto |
Posted - 21 Aug 2014 : 6:26:04 PM
Lily obviously needs to read up on her Observer's Book of Snakes too - she sees them everywhere - hoses, sticks etc. but she too walked over a slow worm (didn't tread on it) without turning a hair - made me laugh! Her nemesis is broad leaved plants - apparently they are evil, and now the bracken is starting to fall over she doesn't know where to put her feet next - it's like riding Rod Hull's Emu - her head is everywhere |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 21 Aug 2014 : 6:00:12 PM
Purple flowers are Spider's nemesis although he is generally the king of spook. I love the snake tale Pasch. I have always been told that horses don't like hoses because they are like snakes. A couple of years ago I actually saw a live snake on the road. Spider didnt notice it and walked straight over, so much for that theory. Also he does spook more at home I think because he memorises where everything is so if its slightly moved he is naturally suspicious. |
| proctorclaire |
Posted - 21 Aug 2014 : 3:37:39 PM
My Arab mare is not bothered about any traffic at all but heaven forbid if she goes past a rock or a blowing leaf! She doesn't like drains either. |
| Pasch |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 10:22:27 PM
Debs yes that's what I thought also about new places.
Ari no snake in the Arabs natural habitat is big enough to eat them,they were more likely to be eaten by big cats,wild dogs,wolves and so on.But surely they could be bitten by a venomous snake for self-defence.Rustling leaves,however,could always be a predator lurking so that's probably why the leaves phobia
A few years ago I witnessed two big rats fighting a big snake (at least one metre long) who had probably threatened their babies.Snake had to run away and slithered just inches from his hind legs.He just turned his head to look at it and resumed eating.I was surely more spooked than him! |
| Ari |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 3:16:20 PM
The snake idea is very interesting as Ari is my 3rd Arab and all have been similarly aware of changes, disturbances or things on the ground like tyre marks in mud, stones that have been moved or clumps of dead grass and as babies even hose pipes and poles. I have always had the theory that snakes would have been a major predator of Arab horses in their natural environment and they would leave tyre like tracks in the sand. Unlike native breeds that would be natural pray to large noisy animals none of my Arabs have been bothered by dogs, cows or sudden noise.
I have never seen a snake on Baildon moor but with my eyesight and the fact they are very shy of anything like a horse approaching thats no surprise. Just googled their ideal habitat it is snake utopia even down to part of the moor being a golf course.
One thing for sure Ari with his snake aware genetics will never be bitten by one. Also explains why he is happy to follow his Highland pal through thick bracken, by the time "it's" eaten the fat lad mum where out of here lol |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 10:47:47 AM
My boy is quick to learn things arent going to eat him but you do have to give him a minute. He doesnt swerve or slinky walk, he stops dead and stares. Occasionally hel stop and then try to spin but if you stop, say no, allow him to look for a minute then encourage him on, stop, look, encourage on again hes fine.
My older tb mare I lost year was the spooker. Super sharp, heart was in mouth out on hacks. Great with all traffic, bikes etc but a leaf....aaargh! youd be cantering home or youd suddenly find air underneath you and shes off to the side. She wasnt for the faint hearted out on hacks, great in school though. Much prefer the boys type of spooking, lol. |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 09:14:02 AM
Your horse sounds lovely - it's great to have the trust that despite genuine spooks at things, they're actually not going to DO anything; my two purebreds are the same.
Caryn |
| debs |
Posted - 17 Aug 2014 : 07:09:56 AM
I think they are better in new places as they can't notice any changes... Ali isn't usually spooky at all but the last couple of rides he has looked at everything ! He has an aversion to writing on the roads... Slow or speed limits especially if the sun is shining! Bless |
| Liz100 |
Posted - 16 Aug 2014 : 9:41:08 PM
Can't help I'm afraid but just wanted to say that I can trust Raf the same way as you trust yours - he may be 'expressive' in his opinion about objects he considers suspect, but he never does anything deliberately dangerous (although he did once accidentally spook into a 12' deep ditch, which was a bit hairy!)
Today I found my skull cap cover in a stubble field - it blew off last week and I didn't think I'd see it again. Being too lazy to get off I spent some time trying to spear it on the end of my stick and lift it up to grasping height. Unsurprisingly Raf was pretty horrified by an unknown object being waved in front of his face on the end of a whip, but despite being in the middle of a huge stubble field and already excited by the gallop that we'd just had, he didn't do more than spin and snort and I eventually managed to retrieve it. (Whip incidentally carried in case of loose dogs, but almost exclusively used as a fly remover).
Our other horse (not an Arab) is, on the face of it, much more placid, but he would have left if he'd been in the same situation.
Also wanted to say I'm very jealous of you having moorland to ride on. Also, if you have snakes about then maybe your horse has a genuine reason to be wary of every rustling blade of grass etc? |
| Pasch |
Posted - 16 Aug 2014 : 9:33:48 PM
Armos isn't easily spooked,but he can "swerve" at big stones and boulders and logs…go figure!If on our own he's more alert and will do minor spooks at things he can't understand or see properly but as soon as he understands it isn't a Tuscan lion going to eat him he's all right.He usually trusts me,if I say it's all right then he will pass.
I learned there is always a reason for him to get scared only maybe sometimes I can't see it.Once he did a cantering on the spot dragon imitation passing on a small bridge on one of our usual hacks,only the second day I smelt a rotting animal under it,he could smell that from day one.
I noticed also that he's more likely to spook on the well known roads than in places he's never been before,wonder why…
The more they go out and experience things the better they will be but I doubt an arab would ever become a boring totally unspookable ride |
