Today I rode a former roping horse during a lesson. About nine months ago the barm let a child ride the horse in a fun show and asked him to not go to fast in gaming events but the child did not listen and pushed her to go fast in all classes. Since then she has been almost unrideable, requiring trainer schooling to even be reasonable for an advanced rider in a lesson. Today was the first time I rode her, western, it took almost 45 minutes to get her to walk with a slight amount of slack in the reins. She would pull on the reins when tight but the moment you released she increased speed at whatever gait you were in at the time. I did try stopping and backing her several times but this was a large class so I was careful to not disrupt others. I am thinking about leasing this horse, I really like her and the challenge to help her. I assume a JoinUp would help but am also looking for any other ideas/reommendations. Also, when I mentioned Join Up duing the class the instructor was not receptive.
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Listen to your heart. Join Up will certainly be a good first step to helping this horse, and I assume you have done it before and know how to. :) Personally I think this mare needs more one on one interaction, not so many people telling her so many different things (so many riders, in other words). If this were my horse I would let her have a month or so off, really get to know her, then start at the beginning, so that you can get a real relationship going. Best of luck to you! Hang in there, it's worth all the work. :)
I agree that Join-up would help, as would long lining. I would start at the start - read through the starting process in From My Hands To Yours. I do think lots of long-lining will help (ie getting her walking around on the longlines - in a round yard, arena and even in a bigger area). Just to get her used to the idea again that walking is good and much less work than trotting or jig-jogging!
Thank you both!
Reminds me of my Nicky. She was western ridden and obviously hyped up a lot before I ended up with her when she was 10 years old.
My new horse is similar, I thought she would settled by now, I have had her 2 months. She does about 10 steps walking and then breaking into a trot without being asked to. I try one rein stops but she comes to a stop and then walks off and breaks into a trot again. I am tired of constantly pulling and turning to slow her down.
Hi Wilson
Ok, I have two responses.
Option 1. Myna's advice is solid; start again, go slowly, keep safe. Are you able to take the horse away from that environment if you lease her? If you can, and your instructor is not supportive, take her away and change instructors. Enjoy the challenge but accept that this will take a lot of time and patience and as mmmclean points out, it can make you fed up, but if you have the heart and patience, go for it.
or
Option 2. Get another horse. I'm sorry if that sounds brutal but this is not your horse, you are considering leasing it - there are thousands of horses out there and taking on a problem horse is a big commitment - however, you do know what you are getting with this one :-)
Best of luck, looking forward to hearing about it.
Mmclean - I appreciate its frustrating for you; without seeing you ride its really difficult to analyse whats going on and what to suggest. It sounds like a habit has developed. Have a look at Montys videos about corner cutting - I know the corner cutting doesn't apply but listen to his theory about 'putting the horse to work' when he makes the wrong choice and see if that helps. Otherwise, can you give us a lot more detail and I'm sure we can all make some constructive suggestions.
Nicky who was western trained and ridden roughly has needed almost 10 years of patience and light handed riding. Even now she can still get excited at times especially when heading home. If she breaks into a trot she is asked to halt or back up or cricle then commence again on a loose rein. It sometimes takes us quite awhile to ride the last kilometre home but walk she must.