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Discussion on Horse won't go alone | |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2001 - 7:24 pm: I just bought a 5 yr QH gelding. He's fun on the trail and in the arena when we ride with other horses. Loves to run. When I take him on the trail alone or in the arena alone, he won't go past a walk! I've tried small circles, scary voices, even a crop. Nothing. He just puts his head down or throws it around or sometimes paws at the ground. He's got plenty of rein.A more experienced rider got him to lope in the arena (after much effort and finally a crop!). Even then he would only cooperate for a few minutes. He would also give a low buck at the start of the lope. His previous owner tells me she'd ride him alone all the time. I can't let him get away with this, but I'm at a loss for ideas. He's a fast horse and I'd like to get him into Gymkhana but at this point, I'll be the one running the barrels!! HELP! |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 5, 2001 - 7:51 pm: Hi, Mindy,I've done a lot of retraining of problem horses and many of them have resisted going out alone by walking, insisting on trying to turn, stopping and rearing, bucking, or flying backwards without a care of where it would land them. If the previous owner is truthful in what she has told you, I would just keep taking him out alone as much as possible. The horse needs to accept you as his companion and that will come through time and trust. You can lend your confidence to the horse by being firm and honest with him. I believe the worst thing you could do is allow the horse to stay at the arena or always opt for going with other horses. He needs to learn that he will not get out of working and that you will always keep asking until you get what you want. Now, you have to modify your asking to what the horse is able to mentally handle and maybe right now, he can only mentally handle going away from his friends on the trail with you at a walk. Take advantage of any forward movement you get from him and don't try to fight with him for more until he is moving along confidently and controllably at the walk. If you really like this horse and plan on keeping him, you may have to modify your desires to do gymkhana this summer and just work on getting a responsive partner on the trail. Make sure your arms are allowing him to move and that your legs are in the correct position to cue him (not too far forward). Give him lots of praise for any forward effort on his part. Use puddles, bridges, gullies, streams, logs, etc. as obstacles to make the rides more interesting and more of a challenge. Even if this guy already knows how to go through and over these things at speed with his previous owner, he needs to know how to do it with you, but don't get into a fight with him. Just keep cueing for forward movement and don't let him turn to the right or left. As soon as he heads forward, take all the leg and rein pressure off and give him praise. As long as he has no physical reason for hesitating, just keep after him and rewarding him until he gets the message that you are a kind taskmaster who will not let him get out of work. (I hope this makes sense to you.) Anyway, good luck. Holly |
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 11, 2001 - 2:45 pm: Hi, I agree with Holly. I have a horse that will not go by himself and has all the antics that Holly mentioned. He is OK in the ring but a jerk on the trail, because he is so afraid. I do pretty much exactly what Holly said. As a tool I use a dressage whip, which is really long and when he starts to fly backwards or stops I just "tickle" him with the whip, to let him know that backwards, stopping or rearing is not an option. I don't hit him because that creates a huge negative reaction in him.Always look where you are going and don't look down. This translates "forward" to your horse. And like Holly said, any foward movement is dramatically praised. It is also good to have the attitude that you don't care if it takes all day to get where you want to go. I really struggle with that one. Those are all my ideas. I also agree that you should take your time till he really is a willing partner before doing any events. Good luck. Liz |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 12, 2001 - 7:17 pm: I agree with Holly and Elizabeth. Just a suggestion: make it harder for him to NOT go forward willing by making him back or go in circles (as you have tried). I might have him back or circle until he shows he wants to go forward, and then if he goes - do nothing. As soon as he refuses to go forward willingly and at the pace YOU set, just go back to backing and circling. Boring for you, but difficult for him. Another idea is to do ground work with him since he and you are new to each other. Start with the basics on ground in the round pen, until he understands your language and body language and maybe saddle work will be easier. As pointed out, maybe his previous owner had a different demeanor - maybe her 'go forward' cue is slightly different than yours, yet your horse is perceiving it as a very different message. But that's no problem, it just may take him a while to learn what you are asking. Good Luck. |
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