I took Tess XC training today with Clava and Baker_823, I had real trouble getting her in to the water.
I took her earlier in the week and we walked through it after a bit of looking at it but she did it once and then wouldnt go in again. So today I thought I would wear my spurs and try and get her going in to the water really positivly. It didnt work, I tried using my leg and spurs, using my jumping crop, talking to her, following the others in but I just couldnt get her to go in the water. She was just planting and not budging from the spot.
I told Clava and Baker_823 to go on with out me, hoping thta if she saw the others ride away she might be more willing to go through. No luck. I got off and tried to lead her through, no luck there either. So I spent 45 mins while the others rode round the rest of the course, stood in the water (wearing joddy boots and chaps ) getting wet feet, trying to persuade her in. I tried to be positive and lead her through, i tried my 'Kelly Marks' style of walk on using my body language to draw her in, I ended up being really angry and shouting at her (I admit I lost my temper and tried to force her in with my crop even though I felt aweful about it after).
I dont know how else to persuade her to walk through. We have been through puddles and rivers before, she will walk over tarpourline on the floor so I cant understand why she has a problem with this. The only thing I can think is that as she barefoot she is concerned about stones that she cant see. Its so unlike her to be so stubborn, I dont know what to do. All I wanted today was to be able to trot through the water but I couldnt even get her in it!
I took her earlier in the week and we walked through it after a bit of looking at it but she did it once and then wouldnt go in again. So today I thought I would wear my spurs and try and get her going in to the water really positivly. It didnt work, I tried using my leg and spurs, using my jumping crop, talking to her, following the others in but I just couldnt get her to go in the water. She was just planting and not budging from the spot.
I told Clava and Baker_823 to go on with out me, hoping thta if she saw the others ride away she might be more willing to go through. No luck. I got off and tried to lead her through, no luck there either. So I spent 45 mins while the others rode round the rest of the course, stood in the water (wearing joddy boots and chaps ) getting wet feet, trying to persuade her in. I tried to be positive and lead her through, i tried my 'Kelly Marks' style of walk on using my body language to draw her in, I ended up being really angry and shouting at her (I admit I lost my temper and tried to force her in with my crop even though I felt aweful about it after).
I dont know how else to persuade her to walk through. We have been through puddles and rivers before, she will walk over tarpourline on the floor so I cant understand why she has a problem with this. The only thing I can think is that as she barefoot she is concerned about stones that she cant see. Its so unlike her to be so stubborn, I dont know what to do. All I wanted today was to be able to trot through the water but I couldnt even get her in it!