calmness tests

[Ussiarella]

Hello
here in germany we have competions called calmness test.
There is a course of different frightening situations for the horse, ie ballons fly up behind a wall and you have to go near the wall or someone goes with a hand barrow with stons and tins in it around the horse so that it makes a lot of sound and the horse should do nothing. To walk over a awning or water... to go through a warning tape curtain... there are a lot of frightening situations... do you train something like this with your horses? Or are your horses brave and fearless?
I must say Shadow hates water, warning tape curtains, balls, children, and everything from backwards coming, a lot of sounds...
What about yours?

[black crow]

The health and safety lot would have a field day on something like that if it was done over here as a competition

Ive done lots of 'bomb proofing' things like that with horses, but never seen it as a competition.

[Spockky boy]

I've never seen it as compeitition... Although police horses must do a version of this so they can work out on the roads/football matches as such.

[Ussiarella]

Oh that´s interesting!
We have this as competion and many young horses have to do this because the horse is more expensiv with this competion (if the horse was good in it)
thanks for answering!

[beks the artist]

Sounds a little like our 'Handy pony' competitions! Don't tend to see it in adult classes though.

[ness]

I think my yard owner operates it on a daily basis as everyday we have to walk past, tractors, drills, electrical with sparks coming out, motorbikes, pig pens, hammering and various other trials for my mare to go past. Its a sort of 'Challenge kissie'!

[Lorraine]

I'd have no chance of getting Tibbs near a balloon - we'd be crossing the channel into France at an underwater gallop if he saw one, especially if it moved!!