>>>> Makes me wonder if situations where they lose confidence gives them a setback in sacking out! I had thought once you sacked a horse out you didnt have to do it again...
I tend to think when they lose confidence, they lose confidence, period. That's why I like to take baby steps forward with a horse who's had known issues, like Tivar and Loftur. I don't think most horses enjoy being "bad" at all. I first saw it in Gracie. When she'd buck me off, I'd hit the ground SO hard that I couldn't even think about scolding her. But, still, she acted like she knew she'd done something she shouldn't have. That was a cycle to overcome. I think it's just so much better not to mis-judge and over-face them until they are old enough, mature enough and experienced enough. I'm not big on "sacking out" just for the heck of sacking them out. I DO expose my horses to things like feed sacks, tarps, odd pieces of plastic, toys, whatever, and all sorts of odd things. But, I try to do it slowly and so casually that the stress is minimal-to-nil. I don't want them to jump or run, unless they do it on their own, after approaching something of their own choice. I just don't like the idea of misjudging, and having them just stand there and take it because they feel like they have to. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
