Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
Heather Matthys (Equus)
| | Posted on Saturday, Nov 24, 2001 - 10:03 am: |   |
Hi there!
I have a new TB mare who is 5yrs old and an angel on the ground. She bucks, however, when I move her up into the trot. (Walk is fine) I had her thoroughly vetted upon purchase, and there is no soreness apparent. If fact, it is the opposite. Her back was LESS responsive than average. She said that was not a bad thing, just a little unusual.
My question is this: Do any of you out there think this "unresponsive" back could actually be painful? Or perhaps she is just testing the new rider? Lazy? Her old tack looked ill-fitting but my saddle seems to fit her nicely. Do you think it could be bad memories? Any suggestions on what to do or how long "testing" a new rider could occur?
I'm not in any hurry, and can take as long as she needs.....I just don't want to push her or let her get away with things because I'm thinking I need to go too slow. And I don't want to get killed....young kiddies at home you know! LOL
Thanks for any thoughts!
Heather |
Holly Edwards (Hwood)
| | Posted on Saturday, Nov 24, 2001 - 2:58 pm: | |
Hi, Heather,
A couple of questions:
Did you watch the previous owner ride her and did she buck then, too?
Does she also buck when she's tacked up and on a longe line?
Does she buck, like "boing, boing", straight legged with her head between her knees, or does she do a little "crow hop"?
How have you been responding to her bucking?
Thanks,
Holly |
Heather Matthys (Equus)
| | Posted on Sunday, Nov 25, 2001 - 10:37 am: | |
Holly,
I watched the previous owner ride her and she got a bit scared and got off. (She was a rather timid rider-teenage girl). The horse has been ignored since the girl left for college and according to the barn manager, she was seldom out before then. So the horse has practically been retired.
She doesn't know how to lunge on the line, so I'll take her to my friends barn and see how she does tacked up in the round pen.
She actually does a little crow hop, more than a straight buck, but part of that is because I never let her get her head down enough to allow it. I like to give a little release of the reins as a reward for doing what she is asked, but as soon as I lighten up, she tries to put her head down to buck. The crow hops also grow in intensity.
As far as my response, I firmly say "NO!" and keep her riding at the trot --keeping her head up. As soon as she calms down a bit....within 4 stides of even trot.....I let her walk as a reward. I keep the lessons very short if she behaves and give lots of praise.
Also, she is on sweet feed. I read a lot of posts that sweet feed can make a horse excitable but never experienced it firsthand. Dr. O, I know that it is the excess energy, not the type of feed that is the problem, but she is not at her proper weight. I see a little bit of rib and I go by the "feel the ribs, but don't see them" philosophy. How can I put on weight and yet not give her excess feed?
Some of these may be a no-brainer to you more experienced horse people (which is why I'm asking y'all! :-) but she's my first "project." My other horse was my first and he is a good level-headed reliable angel. So after having him a few years I felt ready to deal with one that needs a bit of work. I just don't know the time-frame that "a little work" may take.
Thanks for any help!
Heather |
Holly Edwards (Hwood)
| | Posted on Sunday, Nov 25, 2001 - 12:13 pm: | |
Hi, Heather,
Thanks for the clear answers.
First of all, on the weight issue, I have found that a pelleted feed with corn oil and good hay have been sufficient to add weight without adding excess nervousness. Of course, some horses naturally have a higher metabolism and just have extra energy. If you are on a feeding program designed to add weight gradually to your horse and are doing more than two feedings a day, start with a 1/4c of corn oil on the grain twice a day, then after a few days, increase it to a 1/2c twice a day, and so on until you can give 1c twice a day. If I've had a very emaciated horse, I work it up to 1c, 3x day on three separate feedings, but don't go over 3cups. Once the horse reaches the appropriate weight, you can discontinue one of the corn oil feedings or just decrease the amount per feeding until you aren't feeding it anymore.
I think it is a good idea for you to try to teach her to move around you in a round pen or on a longe line (the round pen is easier) all tacked up to see what she does at the trot.
You are handling the buckings very well, but if she gets it into her mind that she can't buck she may try to rear instead if you are pulling straight back with the reins to keep her head up. I find one rein back, so the horse's head comes around to the side and his body has to move around on a curve, to be the best way to nip any ideas of bucking in the bud. If the horse's body is bent around, he is also less likely to rear. Just keep forward motion as you have been doing and release as soon as you don't feel resistance to the bit pressure and the horse is doing what you ask.
If you ever get to the point where you really feel unable to handle the situation, get a reputable, kind trainer to help you. Most of the time, if the trainer trains the rider to know what to do, the rider can train the horse.
Holly |
Cheryl.L.Moran
Member
Username: Cmora
Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, Oct 1, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
Hi everyone.
I have a TB/Shire cross that is 2 1/2 and nearly 17 hands. Very sweet natured. We do a lot of Parelli ground work together. I have been on him bare back three times with a halter and lead rope. The first time he was fabulous. I even asked for a little (LITTLE!) trot which he gave to me easily. The 2nd and 3rd time I got on him he gave a little crow hop buck as I asked for the trot. Today, he actually gave me a bit more of a buck and tried to tuck his head between his legs. He stopped fine but I admit I was planning an emergency dismount in my head! It's a long way down! I think it was since I was asking for the trot with a bit of soft pressure on his sides. Perhaps too much pressure as my riding friends were here and maybe I was asking too much. (You know how we can all do that! You want to be proud!)
I dont intend on officially starting my gelding under saddle by myself. I just like to get on and plop around a bit.
I wonder though......and this is my question......
do you think I could be starting bad behavior or is do you suppose it is just because he is young and only been ridden bare back 3 times? Perhaps I need to stick with the walk and flexing and let the trot coming more naturally?
I dont want to instill bad behavior but I would really like to continue getting on him and getting him used to having someone up there.
Do you think I am doing more harm than good?
PS - I only ride him when I have someone with me so if you're thinking I'm a bit crazy......Maybe a little bit but I am careful and I only do this in my 50' round pen. And wear my helmet. So please dont think I'm too unresponsible. |
Katrina Turner
Member
Username: Kthorse
Post Number: 368
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, Oct 1, 2005 - 5:37 pm: | |
I think maybe a trot is too much for him. He is a baby. Just because is is big and 17 hh does not mean he is emotionally able. He is telling you he is confused and maybe its too much for his back at this young age. Bare back is not easy on their back as you might think. If he doesn't like it dont do it till he is ready is my motto. If he likes walking I would stick to that for a while. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 917
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Oct 1, 2005 - 5:43 pm: | |
It sounds to me like you might be going a little too fast for him. He needs to be comfortable and responding to pressure on his sides (and elsewhere) when you're on the ground before you get on him.
Do you lounge him in the round pen? Do you give him a verbal cue to go from the walk to the trot? He should be given the same cue to go from the walk to the trot when you are on him, and roll forward with your seat a tad, and give him a little rein by lifting your hands forward a little.
Personally, it sounds to me like he needs more ground work. You can play around with him and have him get used to weight, but imo you shouldn't ask him for transition from one gait to another until he is comfortable doing it with a bit in his mouth and on the long lines with you on the ground. Just my two cents.
If he bucks and you come off, you could be teaching him how easy it is to get ride of someone. |
Cheryl.L.Moran
Member
Username: Cmora
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, Oct 1, 2005 - 6:02 pm: | |
I have to go get ready for dinner out.....
thank you for your responses. I will get back with you in the morning. Really appreciate your feedback. |
Cheryl.L.Moran
Member
Username: Cmora
Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 2, 2005 - 11:49 am: | |
Yep, you're both right. Too much, too soon and I need to continue focusing on ground work. I think the idea of the bit and long lines is one I will add to my time with him.
I am the one who always tells people "he's young, just because he's big doesn't mean he's not a baby" I need to remember that myself, I guess.
He hasn't even had a saddle put on his back yet. I think I'd better work on that and the long lines and then resume riding at a walk only with a saddle instead of bareback. I figured bareback would be easier on him.
I had a quaterhorse that worked better bareback so I figured most horses preferred that!
I've never worked with long lines. Any tips for a beginner? Would you suggest I have an experienced trainer come work with me a couple of times before I do it myself? |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 918
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Oct 2, 2005 - 12:29 pm: | |
If you've never worked with long lines then I think working a few times with a trainer is a good idea. Meanwhile, use a long, soft rope and get your boy used to having a rope touch him all over his body, down his legs, etc. so when you use the long lines they won't scare him. |
Cheryl.L.Moran
Member
Username: Cmora
Post Number: 22
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 3, 2005 - 9:01 am: | |
Thaks Sara. Will do! I know who I will call already! My guy is so used to having ropes and bags and flags and hose all over his body I dont think it'll be a problem but I understand I'll be asking him to work with the lines this time so it may prove a different story, eh?!?! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 920
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 3, 2005 - 11:06 am: | |
If he's used to all that, I'm sure he'll do fine. I like all the ground work because it makes it so easy when you start riding. The horse already understands what you are asking, and you're asking from atop is usually no big deal |
