Hey Debbie :)

This behaviour sounds a lot like what I went through with a 3-y-o who was with me for only a couple of months (I didn't keep him for reasons too long to go into here). Same thing: did everything right when I tried him out and then 2 weeks later, he behaved as if he'd never seen a human being before. He did come round eventually - they always do.

Horses don't think in terms of days or weeks like us but rather in months or even years. They need all the time that we can give them as well as education, of course. I'm sure people here will advise you to get the Dually halter and it is a great working tool but, as I have experienced it for myself, not with all horses - some react well to it, others don't. Still, it is a great tool when used correctly and to me, it's a lot better for educating such a young horse than the rope halter - they seem to learn a lot quicker. But it still takes time.

My advice to you would be to not ride your horse for the time being. Do groundwork - lots and lots and lots. Do get on her from time to time but keep it short, stick to what she knows. The bucking during the canter says to me that she wasn't broken-in properly (there's a young horse at the stables where I am that displays the same behaviour - he's in re-training now and it's going great). Or maybe she's just too stressed-out - she's only 3, she just moved to a different living place and she's alone (all alone? No other horses to keep her company?).

I'm sure that you'll get lots more advice from others. There really is no secret other than time and patience. I have a 14-y-o who's only starting to relax now despite being with me for 6 months. So, to me, your young one doesn't display any sort of real problem behaviour, just the usual stress. You both have to get to know each other :)

Hi Debbie. Would I be right in assuming you saw this filly once, maybe twice, at prearranged visits? I always advocate dropping by - on the off chance of an impromptu visit as this means you can be very sure the horse has not had a 'really good workout' to take the "edge" off them before you arrive. It also prevents calmer or a sedative being given, although the horse may be on permanent medication of course. How soon after her arrival did her attitude start to change as some medications can take weeks to fully work their way out of a horses system? However, let's assume you bought her from a thoroughly upright & morally sound seller.
...
I'd like to look at this from the fillys perspective. Over my 3 years of life I've come to accept humans & allow them to work from the ground & be on my back. I live in a herd & so can rely on my instincts with the support of my herd. Then one day I'm taken away from, effectively, my home & adopted family, my one, true place of safety. I have a scary journey & am left in a strange paddock, where many dangers may lerk, all on my own. I'm stressed! It's not safe to roll or sleep as I have no look out & I'm VERY LONELY! There is the Debbie person but she isn't with me enough of the time to stop my stress & sadness. One day she took me for a walk & in the distance was a THING. It was very scary & smelt strange but the Debbie person didn't recognise the imminent danger despite my desperate warnings. The Debbie person is supposed to be my leader, someone who I can rely on but I'm having a hard time accepting that. She wants me to go with her out of my paddock, to where the THING might be & I don't like that! 
...
Ok. Now let's think about the fillys needs. She needs company, horse or horses, preferably older & more confident, who can teach, inspire & help your filly to broaden her knowledge of the world as well as providing the support the herd brings. Horses naturally learn from each other so going to new places & trying new things with a trusted friend from the herd will enhance the chances of success. Meet this single, simple need & you will almost immediately have the basis of a willing partner. Cheers, Jo.

Thank you Marja and Jo. I truly appreciate both or your suggestions and can absolutely see the rationale behind your comments. I really do agree that being alone (there are horses across. the rode from her field and she stands where she can see them most of the day) is contributing to the problem. I agree with the need for lots and lots of ground work as well and will keep at it as I decide how to either get her a friend or find her a new home. 
Thank you both.
Debbie

The problem with having two horses is that when you take one out of the field, the other will panic and call for its friend. And the one you've taken out will be too stressed to listen and work correctly. The best would be an uneven number but I do understand that we can't all afford to have 3 or 5 horses... Well, a pony will also do but still. Is there a stable close to you where she could be boarded? If you choose to keep her where she is, I'm afraid she will need some company...

My 14-y-o has never been alone in his life (former competition driving horse) so he never learned how to deal with the stress of leaving his field buddies. For now, when they're far from the barrier, I take him and our mare together and the other 3 automatically follow. This is not an ideal situation as he doesn't learn anything from it but I get a calm horse and he gets company so we both win, so to speak :) The rest of the time away from the field, he's lovely - he no longer panics as soon as he's alone with me and can't see his buddies. So trust me, there's light at the end of the tunnel but it takes time.

 Hello Debbie and welcome...Much of what you write about as a problem with this horse can be found in the first paragraph.  I am going to approach your problem with this horse with the assumption that there were NO DRUGS involved when you were with her originally, prior to the purchase.  You state that she is 3 yrs old and seemingly well started for saddle work, but was in a small herd and probably low man in the pecking order.  Now everything has change for her:.ie.different environment, no other horses, and a different human care taker.   From the horse`s point of view, I believe that she is still trying to connect the dots about everything that has changed in her world.  These changes are monumental to a horse that is now alone.  Horses are seekers, and if they are young they are on high alert a good part of the time.  They are going to seek leadership or try and be a leader probably with an elevated adrenaline flow.  YOU MUST BE THAT LEADER FOR HER, AND WHEN SHE REALIZES IT EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE.

I would start with some very elementary exercises that YOU FEEL CONFIDENT with leading her through.  CONFIDENCE is the buy word here because what you do with her will resonate with her only through FEEL.  For instance, if you choose to disengage her rear end, do it in such a way that it leads her to move her rear end with only the pointing of your finger at the flank and the though behind it.  This type of exercise will bring about a confidence in your horse as she will be able to participate in the thought process as the request becomes refined.  I have gotten results with this movement in a horse by just raising my arms while standing by its side.  Whatever it takes to cue the horse as along as the horse has a say in the end to complete the sentence.  REWARD OFTEN AND PRAISE MUCH AND PAUSE FOR THE MIND.

I would fill my day with her doing short-time ground work exercises and long-time spirt-walks and you will become her" safe place" person.  She will seek to be with you.  When this happens, the training will become a joy for both.  Enjoyment for both would be your companion on the spirit walks.

I hope this will help you both

Bud

I don't have a great deal of experience but I did think that what you did, with rubbing her head in the paddock and walking away was a good move.  Leaving her with a positive praise for coming to you and taking all the pressure away by walking out sounds like a lovely reward for her finally coming to you. 

I was thinking that using a long line with the dually may help with you feeling in a more secure place in case she did rear on the line.  It works from afar too.  I was watching the video lessons today "Reward and Release" and realised I had been working rather closely and tried further away today with my horse and it really had good results.  In fact, the best she ever stepped backwards for me.  

How do you feel your adrenaline might be when you are being confronted by her?  Can you get it lower with diaphramgic breathing? 

I really feel for you as I am in a similar situation.   I got my 9 yr old mare last October.  She was very mannerly and rideable.  I don't have any other horses yet, so took her away from her herd and she is alone now.  Join up was a disaster for me.  I hadn't enough experience and got very frightened when she tried to kick me when I sent her away.  So my adrenaline was soaring and every dealing after that was fraught.  She was very dominant and agressive with me in the paddock. Ears pinned back everytime she saw me. 

So I went back to basics and ground work with her.  I am only now seeing a change in her for the last month or so.  Really since I figured out how to use the Dually properly and doing foundational groundwork exercises.   She wouldn't let me rub her head until this weekend! 

Wishing you the best of luck.

HI Vee, nice to meet you. A great example of patience, time, and recognising our own limits and behaviours - thanks for sharing that.

Thank you Bud and Vee and Vicci, I so appreciate your thoughts and encouragement. I have been doing lots of ground work with "Barbie" as you suggest and working hard to give her instant reward.  She is really smart and is already backing up with just a jiggle to the line and coming forward with lightest touch. I will try to work on getting her to move her hind quarters over with just a hand motion as you suggest. I would love to learn more about "spirit" walks. I know you are both right about the change in her world. Although she does not have any horse companions in the pasture she is with our herd of cattle (about 20 cow/calf pairs) and she generally hangs around them.

 I have decided to leave a rope halter on her out in the field so she is easier to catch. She always whinnies at me when she sees me coming. She only rears up after I clip on the lead and rub her neck- she turns her head away and rears up. Last evening it was raining and she came all the way to me when I called, instead of me walking out to "catch her." Tonight was a different story however, as soon as I hooked the line on her halter and rubbed her neck she reared up. Interestingly tonight I wasn't afraid, I just held the line and waited till she came down, then walked her forward. As we walked, I could almost tell by the way that she turned her head when she was thinking about rearing up, and I got her attention and kept her moving forward. All week I've just been catching her, bringing her into the barn, giving her some grain and turning her out so that she thinks of it as a good experience. I will keep working at it.   

Hi Debbie;  I find myself very excited for you and your discoveries with your new filly.  In your writings, I could almost see the confidence level raise itself in the relationship that is being developed.  You are off to a GREAT START with her.  I would call it a meeting of the MINDS ..   My suggestion, here, would be to continue the same approach with her so she builds a confidence and continues to LOOK FORWARD to you coming to the pasture and rescuing her that leads to that  special moment in the barn with you and her grain.  It is at this time that I would scratch and rub her ALL OVER so that she can FEEL YOUR JOY with what just took place.

The rearing by her is quite possibly her way of expressing herself with the change of leadership as the lead line is clipped on.  MOST PEOPLE SHANK A HORSE WHEN THEY DISPLAY THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR [OUT OF FEAR], I do NOT,  because I feel that this is an outward expression of how the horse is feeling on the inside.  You seemingly have gotten by the fear issue with her while displaying the confidence in your ability to be a leader when you walked-off with her.   SHE FOLLOWED YOUR LEADERSHIP.  I HOPE YOU WERE SMILLING, BECAUSE THIS WAS A HUGE MOMENT FOR THE TWO OF YOU.

The spirit walks [companion walks] consist where the human and horse come together in a walk to seemingly nowhere, but everywhere and each feels the freedom to stop and gaze- human [graze horse] and just enjoy being together with gratitude for the joy of just being alive and in the moment with each other`s energies swirling around the two of you.  This will lead to that special connection and will NEVER be forgotten. However, this process must be developed over time   She will have a halter on that is attached to a long lead.  BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE, IF DEVELOPED WITH PATIENCE, IT CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE .  It`s that special walk that leads to a  field that THE GREAT POET RUMI SPEAKS ABOUT IN HIS WRITINGS.  The field that lies beyond the field of right and wrong.

The only other thing that I would mention to you is to be very careful about leaving the halter on your horse in the pasture [especially if it`s a DUALLY] as they can potentially get caught up into an unsuspecting snare.

Everyone that dials into this forum will find themselves most interested in your progress.  So please keep us updated.  You are well on your way to making a dramatic impact into the life of your horse as well as your own life.

All the best 

Bud

Spirit walks - what a lovely name for it Bud! 

Debbie - I agree with Bud, your horse must never be left alone with a Dually . I feel you are making great progress but my only advice would be that a rope halter is not suitable either for being in a field. It is very strong and if it gets caught on anything it won't break and the horse can panic and fight to a point of serious injury even, in rare case, death. There are specifically made "field halters" that have a 'breakaway' section so that if they do get hooked up it will snap away leaving the horse free.

Looking forward to hearing more about this great progress

Hi Bud and Vicci. 
Thank you so much for your comments and support. You are both helping me to see things in a great light and I couldn't stop smiling when I read your comments and the interpretation of Barbie's behavior. Bud the experience you describe with the spirit walks is one I have had with my first horse and probably the reason I have been so passionate about horses and so wanted this little mare. I long to recapture that. connected relationship we had.

As for Barbie, today was another great day- or at least it felt like it to me. I walked out to the pasture to see her, rubbed her head and neck and then left her to continue my walk alone. On my way back, I stopped and rubbed her head again and then just stood  off to the side for a bit. Then I turned and walked toward the barn. I couldn't believe it when I heard her following me. I thought she would just stop at the water trough, but instead she followed me right into the barn and into her stall where I had left some grain. I didn't tie her or close her in, just left her and walked outside. When she finished, she came out and I let her graze for a few minutes before leading her into the next corral into the field. She hung around the gate with me for a few minutes before leaving. It felt like a huge win!

Yes, I am quite worried about turning her out with a halter on. (It is not a dually, but as you say a rope halter can be quite dangerous too) I am hoping I can get past this rearing thing soon so that I don't need to turn her out with it on. This weekend I plan to spend time just putting on and taking off halters in an effort to desensitize her enough so that maybe the idea of rearing when the lead rope is placed around her neck disappears (I think this is wishful thinking but I can't have her out in a halter forever). 

Wishing you both a wonderful long weekend!

Debbie 

HI Debbie, Vicci and All;   Debbie,  thank so much for the feedback that you and your filly ,Barbie, are having.  I find myself smiling after reading of your day and the accomplishments that you and Barbie had.  Barbie, I believe, is seeing you in a different light while becoming very centered on your leadership.  When we speak "HORSE" from our heart, we walk into to a field of MAGIC DUST.

I wish that "I" could take credit for the SPIRIT WALK idea, but one of my horses taught me about this a few years ago.  Vicci, it was Jabber, my edge seeker.  It all came about after his gelding surgery and walking him to stretch his groin area during the healing process  .We started out slowly, and the walks merged into many acres outside the fence line, where the grass was 2-3 feet tall.  You all can imagine his excitement each day for these walks to begin.  Before long, the two of us brought about a give and take with each other energies, and slowly we became connected in a SLOW DANCE through the fields of grass.  When the twice, daily walk abouts ended, we were both covered in MAGIC DUST.

Debbie, the rearing issue with horses is one that I had to get use to also.   I raise stallions.  Being up close and personal with them as they stretch out and reach for the sky while speaking to the world of their presence, is a trip for sure.   But that is who they are.   They are for real and very definitely, AUTHENTIC.    I came to the realization that I had to be authentic also and allow them to express themselves if I was truly going to be a leader in their eyes.  That is when I had to step back and see my FEAR for exactly what it was.  Again. the horses taught me to step across the threshold and into a new light with them.  Now, I stand beside them with my around the wither area as they rear and praise them for their magnificent expression.  That took some time to accomplish.  But it also took me to a different place in their eyes.  Think about this aspect of horsemanship when we ask for their minds to focus on us.  Is that focus given to us with or without coercion?  If we diminish the freedom of their thought process and what they are feeling at the moment in ,time.  don`t we take away that part of them that MIGHT lead all to that special moment of REAL CONNECTION?  This is WHY this journey of horsemanship is fraught with so many twists and turns.  Monty discovered this and continues to unravel the message these horses have to offer all of us.  WE BECOME BETTER WHEN WE LISTEN.

I too, wish all of you a great weekend.

Bud

Wow, such a wonderful thread this one, I so wish we were all geographically nearer to each other!

So wonderful to hear your update.  It really sounds like you are making progress.  I love that you felt calm and carried on after her rear.  It took me a mite longer to regain my confidence around my horse.    It sounds like you are planting good memories with being attached to the rope that will grow into trust soon.  And good idea on practicing with the halters.  

I have been calling the companion walks or spirit walks, ground hacks.  As I am sort of hacking out, just the both of us on the ground.  Until I get a companion horse to help her confidence, I take the lead on treks.  They are lovely and good exercise for us both.  It has helped me build up my confidence with her.  I recommend them wholeheartedly.  

Hi Bud, Vicci and Vee
Thought I would give you an update on my bonding journey with Barbie. I am really happy with how things are going! I also have an interesting observation that I would love your perspective on.

I have continued to build on my walking out to the pasture to just pet her and then walk away, but started to do so while carrying a lead rope. Saturday when I came up to her, she saw me, whinnied as I got close than immediately began grazing- quick little chomps at the grass. I pet her and walked away. When I was about 100 feet away, I heard her galloping up behind me. I stopped and turned and she came up to me. I pet her head and walked away. She followed for a bit then went and joined the cattle where they were grazing. On my return from my walk- she had the same behavior- whinnied at me and as soon as I got close dropped her head to graze. I attached the lead (she gave no inclination to rear up) I walked her to the barn and did lots of ground work with the dually. I walked her out amongst the cattle and moved some older calves - just following and re-directing them. She was totally intent on this. (Up until now, the cows have been moving HER!). In some ways it felt like the Spirit walk you described Bud- we were having an awesome connection. 

 In the afternoon I saddled her and brought her into the round pen. It was windy. She was on hyper alter and every noise was panicking her. I turned her loose and chased her around the pen- and had a very successful join-up. The best of any yet. She was still hyper alert however and I was still a bit nervous about getting on, but I did. I just walked her in circles, did lots of stopping and backing up- had lots of trouble getting her to drop her head and give to rein pressure. I did not trot or ask for a canter (the memory of her bucking- still too fresh for me to take any risks). When she finally started to drop her head and gave me a really generous back up, I stopped and quit for the day. 

Yesterday- I did the same thing- walked out to her with the lead rope, she saw me, whinnied, began eating as soon as I got close. I pet her, walked on, she followed me. On the return, again she dropped her head to eat as soon as I got close. I put on her lead, no attempt to rear, I did some ground work with the Dually, saddled her, took her into the round pen, mounted and walked, stopped and backed up. She carried her head beautifully, gave to the bit, stopped with no pressure on the reins, backed nicely. I got off and quit for the day. 

I know I haven't trotted or cantered with her yet- maybe today-will see how it goes,  but I feel so great about how things seem to be turning around! 

My observation is the "eating grass" when I get close. Do you think this is part of the "join-up"? Is this the same response as the chewing and licking? Could it be her way of saying- I am relaxed with you and I am not going to challenge you? It feels that way to me anyway! So, I am hoping today goes just as well and that maybe, just maybe we have crossed a major hurdle.

I too wish we were geographically closer- how much fun we would have. This site is amazing with people from all over the world sharing their interest, their perspective, support and help. Thank you all so much!

Best wishes

Debbie

GOOD MORNING DEBBIE AND ALL;  I purposefully waited a day to respond to your last post in order to try to put some type of ceiling to my excitement for you.  I believe that you are on the cusp of that special plateau with Barbie  that ALL horse people are aiming for.  Wherever you go in your mind  before walking into Barbie`s pasture, I would hold that sacred in your horsemanship, because it seems as though you are REALLY COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR HORSE AS A LEADER.  Keep on dancing with this approach until it is SO REFINED that you cannot get it wrong.  I seem to be watching, through this dialogue, a huge change in horse-human connection.  With this approach to your filly, you are providing her with a say in her direction with you.  This is KEY, to keeping her mind open and on you, for  her future training under saddle.  Horses will laud us with love and devotion if we can find a way to take our foot off of the gas peddle of intention and pause for listening .  

I am equally pleased for you that you had the presence of mind not to push your horse on that windy day  [two days ago].  Matters of the mind can come in waves depending on the overall situation [environment is huge for horses].  The wave of relationship building, I believe, can be brought about much softer on the ground than that of  directing a horse from her the back on a windy day.  This is exactly WHY the relationship on the ground needs attention on a daily basis.  We all strive to provide our horses a place of safety when they are with us.  The playing field changes, however, when we climb on their back.  We have given-up our two main points of balance with, regard to gravity, while they still have their four points of balance.  The minute that we climb on to their back our thought process changes with regard to direction.  They will feel the difference in us and our confidence level, and that could be a problem for them to assimilate.  They have a distinct advantage physically and WE are aware of that.  All the steps of the foundation need to be thought out and in place. 
So, hopefully, we  learn RIDE THEIR MIND while we depend on the relationship of our communication with them.   Will they keep us safe while on their back?   If this question should arise within you, the give and take of that spiritual relationship that you felt on the ground has NOT BEEN BORN between you two while in the saddle and on her back.  This takes some time to develop, but it can see the light of day  through the spiritual walk relationship that is being developed on the ground.  Only YOU can find a way to bring that feel alive while on her back.  THAT WILL BE AN AWESOME DAY.

As far as the other gaits beyond the walk - -Trot, canter- -be very sure that time is taken with her while on the ground to push her up to each of these gaits incrementally and then back down to the walk [transitions] because the faster gaits are lead by increased adrenalin, and she needs to know how to handle this raise in emotion.  The ground training will bring that increased emotion that she feels in the elevated gates into a controlled process that could be much like she began with you on the ground when she reared as the halter and lead-line were placed  on her a few days ago.

I believe that your observation of her and eating of grass with your approach to her in the pasture, is right-on.  I believe that your thoughts about her are coming through honestly.  YOU NOW ARE SEEN AS ONE OF THE HERD AND GAINING IN RESPECT. 

One other thing that I might add for you to think about because Barbie is just really starting out in her life with you is an exercise for relaxation while producing a great head-set.  I learned this from Will Favor, a dressage condition expert.  It is simply the shoulder-in exercise, on the ground, that causes the horse to stretch its back and lower its head while stepping underneath itself.  You can find this whole procedure on video by tuning into his website -Art2Ride-  where he has two demonstrations that are designed for starting a horse in this exercise.  I have been doing this exercise now for a few months and the results are wonderful for the horses.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR UPDATES

Bud

Hi Bud. I can't stop smiling at your response. Thank you so very much for how truly supportive and encouraging you have been. It is everyone's great response on this site that continues to drive me on and is inspiring my confidence. Your comment about adrenaline levels rising at the faster gaits is a fantastic insight and not something I thought about at all. You also raise an excellent point about transferring that trust from ground to saddle and I know I have to keep it slow. Neither of us is going anywhere so we have all the time that life has to offer.

Tonight I did ride Barbie at a trot, and I just kept transitioning as you suggested-  trotted half a circle, walked half a circle, trotted, walked.... and finally ended on two full circles at a trot- then into the center, stopped, back and quit. It was awesome- and just as you said- she seemed to really relax and so did I!  I am going to look up the Art2Ride site you suggest. Thank you for this direction. I feel like I will be able to get to that awesome place you so beautifully describe. I love my mare and she seems to be tolerating me at the moment so we are going in the right direction!

Thank you again. Hope you have an awesome evening!

Debbie

Hi Debbie.  I love hearing how you are getting along with Barbie.  It sounds like you are really bonding with her.  
I am on a similar rung of the ladder as yourself with my horse.  I am only starting to ask for trot and it hasn't been very smooth yet.  Last week I put a heart rate monitor on myself as I know that I can get nervous even just mounting.  I checked it afterwards and my heart rate had a massive rise, right around the time I asked for trot.  No wonder the poor horse was getting excited!  So I went back to groundwork and have her trotting and tranisitioning on the dually and want to try the long lines today.  My adrenaline really makes the difference to her. 
I'm taking the advice here that you are getting too so thank you Bud.  
I just wanted to let you know that I'm cheering you on here and love hearing about the progress you are making.  It gives me hope too.  

Veronica

HI Debbie AND VERONICA;  I tried tuning into Will Faeber`s web site and the part that I wanted you-all to see was hard to find.  So here is the web site- fine tuned- - go to { art to ride--first work in hand] --that should take you where to go to see the demonstrations that  I wrote about earlier.  I hope that you-all can see him work these horses because he is a genuine master at what he does.  I believe that these exercises that are aimed at getting a horse to relax while being directed in movement are KEY to riding the horse with softness.  It is almost Impossible to train a nervous horse into being dependable partner.

Veronica, I am very impressed at your placing a heart rate monitor on  yourself to check-out the results while in the saddle.  Thank you so much for sharing the results with this forum.  Horse will mirror are breath while we are in the saddle.  For sure, they will mirror and mimic our anxiety if our adrenaline level should spike because of uncertainty

Wishing you all a good evening

Bud.

Hi Veronica and Bud- so sorry it has taken me so long to respond. We had a major wind storm here in central Alberta last week, that blew over our internet providers'  tower, so we have been without internet since last Tuesday. Hence I have not yet had a chance to check out the web site you suggested, Bud...but I am looking forward to watching that. 

Things have been going really good with Barbie. She hasn't reared up now in weeks. I have been able to turn her out without her halter on and she lets me catch her and put her halter on without any issues at all. Many evenings she actually walks up to meet me when I call. I have only ridden her a few times in the last week because of the weather, but she has not offered to buck again.. She has gotten really good at the stop. I just need to sit down in the saddle and she stops- without even lifting the reins or saying whoa. However I now seem to have a go-forward problem, in that she is very hesitant to go into or stay in a trot. I have a feeling she doesn't trust me on her back, or at least does not have confidence in me. I guess I have been rewarding her for going slow and for stopping and my own fear is creating a hesitance in her to move out at a faster speed.  I need to show her I can handle it and expect it.

Veronica- I am interested that you find your heart rate increases and that affects your horse when you mount or ask for a trot. What does your horse do? Does he back away or walk off when you try to mount or does he stand still? I am asking because of the videos that Monty has that talk about how important it is to teach your horse to stand still. Just as your heart rate causes your horse to get jumpy, I am guessing that if your horse is calm, it will lead to you being calm.... (just a thought) I really do believe that horse and rider have a transference of energy and that it goes both ways, that is why people say they feel so rejuvenated after they spend time with their horse.  Good luck, I look forward to hearing how you are making out!

Now I'm off to find the Will Faber site! 

Have a great evening all!

Debbie

Hi Debbie and all;  I am very happy to hear about your continued success with Barbie and relationship with regard to the daily comings and goings in each of your lives.  Keep on reaching for that oh,so, special connection that is felt in the spirit walks.  You have been able to dial down her adrenalin and shape your world into a joyful response when you two meet.

As for the walk-trot transitions, I would go back to the ground and show her exactly what you would like her to do....This what I would do ....controlled slow walk, ease up to a faster walk, then to a trot.  If successful pause for bit longer than the entire walk-trot sequence.  Cues...I use the KISS, one for the slow walk, two for the faster walk, and three for the trot.  If her response is NOT what you want, stop and start again.  If she is not responding to the kiss, reinforce the audible cue with a visual, raising of the arm that holds the lunge line.  If that does`t work use a flag on the end of a whip, wave it and bang the ground with it .  Now you have three cues in action.  Do this until you do NOT have to use the flag and whip.  Remember to pause after a successful try on her part.  PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE...Bring about that understanding and FEEL that you both have when you are entering her pasture.  When you BOTH understand the FEEL that is going on, get on her back.  The big secret to this is the easing her up through from a slow walk, to a faster walk, then to a trot.  This approach [thought process] seems to produce a smoother transition of adrenalin flow that they must have as they enter into a faster mode of movement.  It also produces a FEEL in you two that will develop, over time, into a softness in expression for each.  The cueing that will eventually take place will be with your calf muscle rubbing [pulsating] gently on her side.

With regard to the Feel that I just described, I think that you might have a good example of this going on in the stop that she providing you with.  Try this scenario...bring her to stop in the same place while at a walk. Do this four or five times.  Then on the next time,  walk directly by that spot.  You should feel a hesitation in her [wanting to stop at the same place, they do this because they are anticipators]], it is at this moment in time that you have her thinking and LOOKING FOR THE STOP, now you have the golden opportunity to REFINE her stop to an art form [a slight change of the butt bones shifting backward into the saddle].   You do this at a different spot. You are looking for a softness and an understanding that goes from rider to horse in upper level riding.  You are also looking for an expression from Barbie as you both enter into that special moment of connection, she will be searching for a cue.  Refine this moment with her over successive rides.  This exactly where the spirit walks produce HUGE DIVIDENDS as they keep the channels of relaxed learning open.  Remember, horses are seekers!

Try this and let us know what you think.

All the best

Bud

Hi Debbie, 
It sounds like you are making great progress with Barbie.  Wonderful that she is catching you now.   
In answer to your questions, I have found that I get nervous and my heart rate increases at mounting up time.  Shortly after I bought her, I got bitten on my leg when trying to mount.  This was at the time when she was very hostile with me in the field and before I started doing Dually work with her.  I spent more time then just pretending to mount for both our benefits.  She still is dubious about me getting on her and will often step forwards so I am working on this.  I am much calmer now at the mounting stage and can see that helps us both.  My heart rate for the last time was 140bpm.  But when I asked for trot it shot up to 240bpm!  The trot she gave me was choppy; a kind of trot-canter mess.  No steady rhythm that I could co-ordinate to.  Her head was high and her back hollowed but she did go back to walk when I asked so all the stopping work paid off there. 
So I have been doing the transitions as Bud described but just on the ground, after I see she is cooperative with backing up.  In this way I have been more free to focus on my own breathing and hope that that will transfer to the saddle eventually.  She is giving me a steadier trot and only once got excited about it this week.   I am going to long line her this weekend and do more of what Bud advised.  
Thank you too, Bud, I am so new to this having never owned a horse before and appreciate any help.  

Looking forward to hearing more about your journey with Barbie.
 
Veronica

Hi everyone. I haven't written in a while so thought I would provide an update of my journey with Barbie and her development of trust in me. Yesterday was Canada Day and our small town had a fireworks display. There was a perfect viewing spot from the middle of our pasture, so at 11pm my husband and I drove quads out and parked to watch the show. Barbie came over to us to say hello and then wandered off but came back to us a number of times as we waited. When the first bang  and light explosion occurred,I was sure she would take off in fright. She didn't. Instead, she stood next to us and watched
 the entire show with us, occasionally presenting her head for a rub! I couldn't have been more excited! It was amazing! So the time and patience and consistency pays off!

I am still working on confidence riding her, and we still have not loped... just walked and trotted in a closed in arena but I plan to ride her everyday over the summer if even only for ten minutes at a time to continue to build familiarity and trust. I know I should go a little faster so I don't bore her to death but I figure we are both learning about one another' and so hopefully this is not doing any harm. I am learning little things about her everyday. For instance I used to think she was just resisting me when she would refuse to go forward and just plant her feet. Now when she does that I realize  at least some of the time it is because she doesn't understand what I am asking. 

So our journey continues! 

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Debbie

Thank you Debbie for the update.  What you described with Barbie, your husband , and you watching fireworks in the pasture together and the way that Barbie hung-in with you both during  fireworks show, was HUGE STEP for your relationship with Barbie.  I took away from your words, that Barbie has found in you, that SAFE PLACE WITH HUMANS that all horses are searching for.  Congratulations Deb, you are IN a very special place with your mare.

In regards to the cantering, I would suggest starting on the ground with very short trot-canter transitions [two-three canter strides] then ease back to the trot.  This will help her to learn how to handle the extra adrenalin rush when she enters into the canter stage of movement and then how ease it back down when she goes back to the trot.  Your not only training the physical part of her, but very definitely the mental part as she learns how listen to you more than what her the raise in adrenalin is telling her through  feel.    When a horse learns to do this, the rider-trainer can look upon this as a real BREAK-THROUGH for both.
There are many ways to cue a horse for this transition.  If you are the ground and in a round pen and going to the left, ask for the canter stride when the left hind leg is on the ground.  This should give her the proper foot fall timing for a left lead while in a trot as the next diagonal stride should come from the right hind and left front.  If I was starting out with teaching a horse this move on the ground, I would probably use my flag for visual and three kisses for audible.  What is a matter of timing and intensity of the cue has to be looked upon as a starting point and rehearsed until you can`t get it wrong.  Once you get this part working well, then you must be able to shut it down after a few strides.  HOW?---turn off your energy and intensity, along with a lunge-line tug, possibly a flag directed out in front to slow the giddy-up part down.  This sounds like lot to do in a short time span, but they will respond to your direction in time.  The main thing is for you to be able to get them back into a trot from the canter on cue with-out being reckless.  You are aiming for control at ALL TIMES in all gates.  Smoothness will be a by-product.
When graduating to the saddle part---same scenario as on the ground [going to the left] with the three kisses and right leg cueing the flank for a left lead.  I would practice calling out the foot fall while in the trot before you start to ask for the canter so that your timing for the cue is right-on when asking for the canter while going to the left.

Debbie,  confidence is a huge factor in this maneuver.  The more that can be accomplish on the ground, the easier that this will be for you.  If horses are started out in the natural way for them to move, the less that they have try figure out what the human is asking of them while on their back.  We need to train our mind to be in sync with  their natural way of movement.

Think about this thread and the different topics that have been covered.  Remember where you were with Barbie when this all started out.  I would pat myself on the back and say YES.  Then go out and put my arms around Barbie and say YES and thank her for the journey that you have on with her.  Know that the  best days are ahead for you two.

All the  best 
Bud  

Thank you so much for your kind words, encouragement, support and guidance Bud! I know we have a long way to go, but you are right, I am extremely grateful and happy with both the progress and the journey to date. I am so glad that I didn't give up on her (or her on me!)

I have not yet tried long line lounging with two lines as Monty recommends... I need to order the lines and over come some self doubt with my ability to Manage double lines. I have been reluctant to single line lounge as Monty suggests this is not a good thing to do, so I really need to take this next step and then work on your suggestions.

Once again, thank you!!

Debbie