Billy a 4-5 yr old gypsy cob and he has been with us for just over a year , Billy had been broken to a cart when we got him but was pretty much untrained otherwise. He used to kick if you even touched his legs or belly and there was no way he would pick his feet up but now is not so bad and he follows me any chance he gets and is always watching for me when he is out grazing - i love him to bits and i think he kind of likes me too. I have only just started at Equus university and today. The cob is learning so fast its unbelievable, After 3 days he is side stepping into the mounting block , after one day he is backing willingly and straight out of the 'trap'. (and he just would not back up without a 'struggle' unless being long reined ) . Next i am going to make a giddyup rope as Billy just keeps stopping on the ride away from the stable - nothing mean just stops still and looks at the view then after a few minutes he will move on but it can get a bit annoying - everyone tells me to use a stick but I just don't think he would appreciate that as he had enough of that from his previous owner. Also I cant get him to trot much let alone canter - he does a few strides and then its back to a walk - although he is quite capable of bombing off bucking if he feels like it - i have that under control now after a lot of ground work and using the one rein stop and circling - when he does trot his head goes up and his ears go back and he is not relaxed or straight - its as if he is expecting something horrid to come up behind him ( a man with a stick i suspect) and this is when he used to bomb off bucking. He is a bit more relaxed now but not much. I just hope the giddyup rope wont upset him but i really have to get him to go forward on request.
I'd be grateful for any advice
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Horse keeps stopping and is VERY reluctant to trot
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Hi carolinelewis,
Welcome at the Uni!!
Your young cob has had a difficult start in his ridinglife. he seems to have found in you a person he trusts and from what I read here, you're very careful not to lose his trust.
Since you write he's used to a cart and being longreined, I'd suggest you use this to your advantage. After Join-up you could let him find his balance on the longlines, at a trot and a canter. He might have to find his balance with a rider on his back. This would build up trust between the two of you even more, it might even be beneficial for his reluctance to move forward.
Never be afraid to start at zero, you'll see how fast things develop, when you get the basics right!
keep us posted!
Miriam
Dear carolinelewis,
I am with miriam. I have the impression that you want to go forward too fast. It is probably not a good idea to use the giddyup rope in a bucking horse. You will probably be able to resolve the problem by using small steps of training and lots of "PIC"`s (positive instant consequences).
Rudi
Thanks very much for the adivce - he doenst buck any more - he only did it when he ran away and he the last couple of times he has 'stretched his legs ' he didnt buck which is good.
When I was finding controlling him hard i went back to ground work and worked on leading him until he would lead on a slack rope and stand when asked (i can walk away from him now about 20 paces and then walk back and around him a couple of times and he stands until i go up to him and praise him and then at the walk on command he walk along behind me and no longer tries to nip! I did try a giddyup rope yesterday and it worked really well - he wasnt at all scared but after a few flicks he walks on which makes going out for a ride much nicer. I had tested the rope on myself and hit my leg as hard as i could and it really doesn't hurt at all . I tired it out on my husband too before using it on the pony. But I agree that he needs to go forward very slowly - I won't be trying to canter until he is confident at a trot. And I do think he finds carrying a rider a bit unbalancing. We shall take it slow and steady...
Welcome to the uni. Caroline. Yes - slow and short rides initially as he will need to build up his back muscles if he hasn't been ridden much in the past. Leading him over poles at walk would help strengthen his back muscles and improve his balance - about 6 poles spread about 80 cm apart or just the right distance so that he can take one step in between - varies with the stride of the horse. Once he can walk over the poles without touching thm raise the opposite ends of the fiirst and last pole to make it a bit more challenging and then the ends of each alternat pole. When riding him walking up and down hills is also a good back strengthening exercise. Good luck with it. You sound as if you are making excellent progress!
Seems that you are doing very well and that you are on the right way.
Rudi
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement - I am sure he will keep on improving as he gains confidence and strength