tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941830352879493498.post7010277622459906750..comments2023-06-30T06:19:17.125-07:00Comments on Panic and the Pony: Attention Span of a GnatMona Sterlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12077277801514781079noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941830352879493498.post-78933142183878707532011-11-03T09:48:22.458-07:002011-11-03T09:48:22.458-07:00Kate- I have been making my way through your sideb...Kate- I have been making my way through your sidebar and all your old posts! I need to slow down so I can actually *digest* the information. Feed and turnout are both good, though it gets super muddy here in the winter so making sure she can get a good stretching kind of run is harder. I have to turn her out in the arena for that. <br /><br />Steph - This is also really helpful. I think I keep hoping that one day we'll just *get* it and suddenly start being able to ride for hours with her paying attention. I need to stop while I'm ahead!Mona Sterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12077277801514781079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941830352879493498.post-8721221314414257422011-11-03T08:18:16.165-07:002011-11-03T08:18:16.165-07:00In my schooling rides, I basically try to make eve...In my schooling rides, I basically try to make every movement my horse makes because I asked him to do it. If I am constantly asking him to bend, or leg yield, or do this or that, he doesn't have time to think about spooking. <br />You need to do the same. Every step needs to be because you asked for it to happen. If you can't manage to keep her attention focused more than 3 steps, then take 3 steps, start over, take another 3 steps, etc. Then try for four, etc. <br />Also, when she is looking off at something else, you shouldn't look too. You know there's nothing scary out there, and should be more concerned she's not listening to you. She needs you to keep her focused on the task at hand so she can't look around for things to be scared of. She's too busy listening to you!<br />It's tough being the leader, and if you can only manage it for 10 minutes before you get tired (and it is tiring), that's OK. :)Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12546115210959552767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941830352879493498.post-54428533651694905122011-11-02T17:36:15.942-07:002011-11-02T17:36:15.942-07:00I have a couple of horses who used to have this pr...I have a couple of horses who used to have this problem in spades - and it turns out it's all about my attention - if I'm focussed and directing them - providing them with leadership, everything pretty much falls into place - I have to get ahead of them and lead the way. I recommend focus exercises - there are some on my sidebar - if you're focused, you can worry and your horse will follow your lead and focus too. Of course, you need not to over face your horse, too, and work out from an area of comfort. Is feed and/or lack of turnout an issue - a horse whose energy level is too high will have trouble focussing. Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com