I asked this last night with few answers so I'm going to try again. My barn is not only equine we have all kinds of other things including the states largest corn maze. They are allowing boarders to ride their horses through it for free next weekend and of course I want to do it. I have walked all 3 mazes twice on foot, I am leaving his halter on under the bridle and bringing a lead rope, having people walk on foot with us, and my riding instructor/his trainer runs the maze on saturdays so should anything horrific happen i'm not on my own. He had a problem of bolting but I don't think this is open enough for him to (usually he only bolts from the walk in a long straight path about the width of a racetrack (OTTB if you didn't guess) but I can feel him getting fast before he does and I can stop him and I have the halter, he also used to be spooky but since we got him and have been spending alot of time on ground work and bonding he hasn't been but he's also never walked through dry corn. He is good in new places but he's never walked through and over dry corn. I plan to walk him in hand through the easy half mile maze before riding through anything but I want to start getting him used to those odd noises. I thought about walking over a tarp, throwing a tarp over him, setting up standards close and putting tarps on both to get him used to walking through and possibly making them crackle a bit. What else can I do to get him used to things he may encounter in terms of noises, he's fine with new scary sights just not so much nosies
If this were me, I'd hand walk him into the maze and for a little bit, as you plan to, and see how he does. If he's afraid of the corn stalks, being around them for a while and not dying should be enough to chill him out. Once he gets over the initial fear of the noises, smells and sights he should be alright to ride. If you're not in a crowd of horses or people and there is enough space to safely stop a bolt without someone getting hurt you're probably ok. Even if he does spook once or twice, just ride him through it and he should get over it.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, he does not settle down or if you're going to be endangering others in the maze DO NOT GO. You are responsible for your horse. When it comes down to it, you must be able to control him and keep yourself, your horse and everyone around safe when you ride in public. If you can't guarantee that, you can't go (at least not with your horse, but maybe someone elses' that is more crowd safe?).
I'd take a cell phone, and depending on how large this corn maze is, maybe some water for me and my horse and a snack for me. If you're leaving water somewhere, I'd probably leave a hay bag too, so your horse can relax in between mazes. I'd probably take ONE person on foot to control your horse if you need it. Having a bunch of people around will just create a hazard and make stopping a bolt or a spook more complicated and dangerous . You'll have to be aware of where everyone is before you can execute a plan, and that will just lead to more troubles.
PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES/MILK JUGS FLATTEN DOWN. LET EM WALK OVER EM.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
NEVER HEARD OF A CITY TYPE HOSS SO NERVEROUS.
DANG WE GOT HORSES/MULES/DONKEYS ... NO PROBLEMS .... BOLT ....
TO MUCH CITY SLICKER MOVIE HERE FOR ME ..
