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Discussion on Training Aggressive Horse to be Ponied
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Member:
Longhorn
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2006 - 11:17 pm:
Ben is my 11 year old QH gelding and Strat is my 10 year old QH gelding. Ben is the better trained and more aggressive of the two. Ben is also very cowy and likes to work. He's a great pony horse. Strat is a sweet thing and gladly takes the No. 2 spot and is great at being ponied by Ben. When I try to pony Ben on Strat, however, it's a whole 'nother story. Nevermind I successfully practiced in the enclosed arena.
Ben tries to take charge by crowding along side, or DrOpping back to "push" Strat, or just by pinning his ears and nipping at Strat's neck. I'm up on Strat flicking the end of Ben's lead rope to keep him away, I've nudged and kicked him in the side to get him to move away, I've moved Strat around to a more aggressive and secure position, etc., but Ben just keeps comin' back. The last time I put Ben in his place I had a bit of a wreck on my hands. Ben started up a hissy fit with the head shaking and bucking which, of course, boogered the passive Strat into pitching a bit and moving away. I got both of them under control until Ben moved so the lead was under Strat's neck and that was it (Strat doesn't maneuver so good). I let go of Ben's lead and let him pitch a fit trying to get Strat to follow him, running around loose like a fool, etc. All I had to do, of course, was walk back to the barn on Strat and here comes Mr. Macho Overcontroller with egg on his herdbound face.
Bottom line: Is there a way to train a more aggressive horse to be ponied on a horse who is naturally less aggressive? If the rider takes control, the less aggressive horse will still be inclined to react to the perceived (and very close) threat of the dominant horse. Training suggestions?
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