Help with re-training horse ....

iluvhorses28

New Member
Jul 29, 2005
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California
It's been some time since I have regularly ridden my horse Savannah... but I think the time off did her worse.... I have been pre-occuopied with baby traing that I admit... less time was put on my own horse.

Now I have difficulties with her wanting to move forward when ridden, she back up when she refuses to go forward and on occasion, does a mini buck just to tell you she does not want to go!

I've been advised by friends to start her fresh...A LOT of groundwork first before I even attempt to ride her again as she is now having respect issues. I triend putting her in a round pen , lunging, but she STILL refuses to move forward... I get scared as she pull a back kick in refusal!

Does anyone ever experience this and know how I should properly go about it
? She is a great horse, and I know she can do it! a couple of summers ago when I got to ride and train her more...she was a darling! I now it's time.... but want to know what everyone thinks works the best and what you suggest I do with such refusal to move forward...:confused:
 
Hi Im new here, so sorry if there have been previous posts and im way off the mark but i wonder if she needs her teeth looking at - have you checked her bit to make sure there arent any sharp bits on it - i wonder if she is backing off the bit x
 
Hi Im new here, so sorry if there have been previous posts and im way off the mark but i wonder if she needs her teeth looking at - have you checked her bit to make sure there arent any sharp bits on it - i wonder if she is backing off the bit x

Actually she is due for floating soon. However, still does not justify her refusal to lunge and move forward in that aspect. She always did at one point, effortlessly! :confused:
 
Sorry I missed this post.

Great to hear from you again and I guess you are experiencing the same old difficulties that we all face at some time or another with our horses:)

Now I would see we are all due an update on your 3, you and your daughter with PICS of course.

Hope you are all well,

Dx
 
WOW great to see a post from you again! I feel like its been a while. (although I admit I only quickly browse now-a-days so I could just miss your posts)

With being out of work are you sure your saddle still fits properly? if she changed shape at all it could have affected the saddle fit. Possibly made her back a bit sore.

If not, this is what I did with Tahoe who would also buck out of refusal to move foward. I tried some nicer methods and asking pretty please and after all failed I turned to clinton andersons 'lounging for respect' Now I have a horse that moves willingly and happily foward off much more subtile aids.

You said you have a round pen? Turn her lose. Start by pointing the direction you want her to go, give her about 2 or 3 seconds to respond. If she has not responded by moving foward (with pep!) Cluck to her and give her another 2 or 3 seconds to respond. If still no response take your loung whip and spank the ground good and hard with it and if she still does not move move closer to her (spanking the ground) and if she doesn't move what happens is she runs into your whip (you end up spanking her). Once she does move foward with some pep take away all the pressure. If she slows up start the process over again. Dont let her quite on her terms but on your terms. And dont forget to take all the pressure away, dont keep nagging her to keep going. If she starts kicking out, Tahoe did like CRAZY, simply ignore it. Let her keep running into your whip until she moves foward. It only took Tahoe once before I didn't need the whip anymore and pretty soon he figured it was much more fun to just move when I pointed.

Once she gets good at it it really becomes fun. Pointing the direction you want her to go, getting her to pivot and change directions with some hustle. Tahoe really really got into it and had fun with it.
 
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