Hello to all!
I would like to apologize because I do not speak English. I am Brazilian and I would ask your help in dealing with a difficulty with my mares.
I have two mares of 8 years old that are with me for four years.
My difficulty in dealing with them is a lack of experience, but with the Equus Online University has improved a lot.
But recently one of the mares refuses to move forward. I emphasize she is physically perfect. I think she has tested me.
I'm not able to do Join up, because my land is sloped and I don’t have a round pen, so I do training on a track 100 meters substantially flat.
A week ago she started walking backwards instead of moving forward. I thought I was not making myself clear. Then I make her rotate until she decides walks forward.
I got success in the first two days but now she is turning the neck stopping in this position. The problem is that she refuses to move forward.
I do not use spurs or whip. Does this help?
I was wondering any suggestions what I can do.
Thank you very much.
Elizabete
If you have seen the 'Walter won't go forward' videos, you will notice that the blinkers used to block part of the horse's vision and the giddy-up rope are very useful when it comes to horses that refuse to go forwards! Sorry i can't give much more advice than this but i hope it helps! I dont have any other ideas right now..
Linda
This type of problem has come up a few times previously so it may be worthwhile checking out some of the other Forum threads.
HI Bete,
Maybe you can find a friend with a horse- and youa and your Mare can follow-maybe your mare needs another horse to show her what to do...or try from the ground by long lining (uni lesson)
Good luck
I have faith you will get her forward.
richandi
First you can still join up even in an open sloped field. See Monty’s video Big Brown" JOIN-UP WITHOUT A ROUND PEN,on this site. Also, check the saddle fit, I had a horse with the same problem and it turned out the saddle did not fit his weathers and I hink his looking back was an intication that he was in pain. Walter won’t go forward is also a good palce to start after you have done join up and checked the saddle fit. I used the blinders and giddy up rope on a differrent horse that the saddle fit was correct but who still would not go forward and it worked for him just like Walter. Good luck.
I would like to thank for all answers.
Linda R., I believe that is not the same problem that happened to Walter, because Walter seemed be afraid to pass by that point.
It is not the case, since she usually walks the same place alone, without problems, without fear.
Richardi, unfortunately I do not have someone to walk with me, and you're right, she's better when be with another horse. I have worked again with Dually Halter to see if I can assert myself better.
Comanche, I really do not have a flat space to do Join up. My farm is very rough and it is not good for the mare to Join up on land bad.
Maybe I should try to use giddy-up to try to encourage it.
I'll check the saddle but do not believe it is, since before she was walking normally.
I believe she is testing me because I could not do Join up.
Thank you all by force.
Bete,
I had this same problem with a gelding that I have, he would stop, back up and refuse to go forward. He was very disrespectful and I also had problems with him bucking and pushing through the bit. I was able to solve this problem with a couple of things, good ground work is key to solving a lot of this problem, join-up and follow up, however I solved this problem before I knew about join-up and follow-up. When he would stop and start backing up I would make it my idea, make him back up and up and up until going forward would be a pleasure. Also I had another horse that he would follow to help get him past any places he was unwilling to go. I know this is not something that you can do but make it uncomfortable for your horse when's she's doing the wrong thing and comfortable when she's doing the right thing. Be careful not to be too hard on your horses' mouth, use short, quick bursts to move your horse backwards rather than pulling hard to back your horse, and again, if your horse wants to back up, let her but always make it your idea and back her until she doesn't want to back anymore.
I hope this helps,
Hi Bete,
please have your saddle checked, horses change and saddle-stuffing gets packed in the course of time! Also check if her shoulder is free, when she moves with the saddle, so put your hand under the saddleblade, when you ask her to walk with you in hand.
Keep us posted,
Miriam
kleinne, I really liked your suggestion. Wow, that gave me hope!
I thank you very much, and as soon as I can, I will try.
Miriam, I will also check the saddle. Just not done this yet because now it's raining here too.
I will send news.
Honestly, really, thank you!
You're welcome, I'm glad my aggravation and experience can be of benefit to others. Be patient with your horse it's a process that's not fixed over night but it can be fixed, my horse is living proof and I have to say when I started with him I thought there was little hope but today he never ceases to amaze me at how quickly he learns and how willing he is to try for me. Establish trust and your horse will amaze you too!
Good luck,
Kleinne