[XmasAngel98]

I have a show this weekend and I was hoping that you could help me with a problem I am having with Angel. She's is an OTTB but has been off the track for about 2 years (although she has not shown much since then). I have been trailering her to different places as often as possible. For a while I was getting her out once a week, but I haven't been able to get her out quite as much lately. Anyway, I decided to take her out yesterday since we are leaving for the show on Friday. However, it was completely disappointing. She was nervous and hyped and never did relax. I don't know what else to do with her. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get her to relax and calm down? I went through this with my other horse too and eventually she chilled, but is there any way to help the process a bit? I'm afraid that I'm going to get up there and end up not showing her (she tends to buck/rear when she gets really nervous/excited and I don't care to kill myself just to show...please note that I DO NOT get off after she bucks/rears. I force her to work for at least ten-15 minutes past this so that she does not feel like she is "forcing" me to get off and so that she does not assosciate her actions with less work). Anyway, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!

[babs]

you said you went through this with your other horses?
are you sure you are not nervous yourself and transferring yor nerves to the horse?

what about a calming supplement or one of the Bach flower remedies?

[XmasAngel98]

No, that is not a problem. Unfortunately I don't have the money to buy a pretrained horse so I have to buy the "greenies" and give them the mileage and training.

[XmasAngel98]

Oh and she's only 6. The only real "show" experience she has is the racetrack and we all know that's totally different than the dressage show that I'm going to this weekend!

[MoonshineZeus22]

if you are calm then hopefully she will be, arrive 2 the show early and walk around with her let her graze around. If it early enough give her some feed and make sure you have hay and water. Do u normally take anyone else? if it is possible you should take a buddy my pony most times has a buddy even if he is not showing hes a lil 13hh pony, even though my horse is so calm he walks on the float himselfes he will neigh sometimes so its nicer for him to have mobs. hope this helps

[babs]

give her time. could you take her to schooling shows or take her to shows and ride round but not compete- just to get her use to a show surroundings?

just a thought.

[CJ]

If you're not nervous, that's the best thing for your horse. I guess just showing until she decides there are no horse eating monsters is what you'll have to do. Acing her (-promazine) if she's a dingaling, rearing/ spinning, is an option, but I wouldn't go into the ring with her Aced; it's not fair to the other competitors. Are you willing to blow up a couple shows while she flakes, or are you in the points chase already?
Raps was a pinwheeling goof at his early shows, but he calmed down. I don't think we pinned in anything for a half/dozen trips, but eventually he calmed down & figured things out.

[devilishjumper]

I agree with what everyone else is say. Before she calms down you need to calm down. Your horse can sense when your nervous. Just take a deep Breath and tell yourself you can do it. When your confident she will be confident. Also, I really admire that you stay on for the bucking. It is good that you show her she can't get away with it. Good Luck in your show!

[XmasAngel98]

Thank you for everyone's suggestions! I'm taking her out one more time tomorrow for a "trial run". If she's horrible again, I think I may take my other horse who is an old pro to this show and then take Angel to a bunch of schooling shows so that I don't feel so much pressure. I don't mind not placing...she's not going to be perfect. However, I don't want to spend all of that money and then not even show her. I think if it was a schooling show I would feel better about pulling her out of the class because I wouldn't be losing as much money. I'll let you know how tomorrow goes!

[XmasAngel98]

Hi, everyone! Good news! Angel rode like a dream today at the 4-H center. I have no idea what the difference was but I am SOOOO happy that she was so good! I just hope she stays this calm this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for me!:-)