I would like to see Monty do a series of lessons on unspoiling your horse. Aimed at new people to the Uni who are trying to retrain their horse with his methods.
Get a horse thats spoiled rotten, was eating out of the hand like a puppy and now wants to bite. A horse that has no concept of personal space and pushes the owner around while trying to lead. Maybe even a horse thats been around a while, so she isn't headshy or scared of tarps and things like that, but just spoiled so she only does what she wants to do. She has even become barn sour to the extent that she only goes just so far from the stable then tries to turn back or is frozen to the spot, and if coaxed to go farther than she wants then she will toss her back legs in the air and dump you off. She will sit there and look at you or nuzzle with you while your on the ground like, "ooops how did that happen, you should have listened to me". She doesn't run away like your going to hit her or yell at her.
I have gotten to the point I seldom get on her anymore. We're doing more ground work with the Dually halter, and I am hoping that if I can trust her on foot, and get her ground manners better and keep working on rebuilding the communication, the riding part will become fun again. She is listening to me a little better. The treats are all gone now, ( I fed the stall not the horse)
If Monty could do a lesson on it my retraining would go so much faster.
I would recommend you watch Monty and Kelly Marks series on Horse and Country TV. There are many instances where they deal with spoiled, difficult horses...how to gain respect, lead and so forth. They would be a wonderful resource for you. You can watch them on your computer and choose what episode you want to watch.
Hi Karyn
I would suggest that all Montys work and the videos on here already deal with the things you've mentioned. I think maybe the trick is to break everything down and deal with groups of issues at time. when the human decides to change, sometimes the animals for a very short while will try different things or even appear a little worse, because their routine is now confused - but this doesn't last long. You also get a knock on effect which is great, as one thing improves the next thing improves quicker. Focus on three things you want to change, deal with those first and then review. You are right not to ride her for now, that can come later :-)
Hi Karyn - I do agree with the others. There are already so many videos out there that deal with problems like yours. The Monty and Kelly Marks series that Klienee suggested are great. At one time I listed them all on this forum with a brief comment on each so that may help you find the ones that will suit you best but they are all great. Just try a forum search to locate the list. Ground work with the dually is the best way to go but let your mare know that you are in charge i.e. be quite definite in your discipline of her with the dually halter. Hold the lead close to the discipline ring with a straight arm locked at the elbow so she can't reach you to bite and make a firm strong correction when she steps out of line at all with a quick release as soon as she responds in the slightest way. It is the release that matters most. Good luck and try to have fun!
Thank you so much everyone! I started watching the Kelly Marks and Monty Roberts videos and the very first one I watched had a horse being rude and trying to run all over Monty! I basically need to keep at the Dually halter and she will prety much train herself.
A few days ago my horse came back in from the pasture with the back of her foot cut next to her hoof. I was able to clean it, put medicine,(spray)on,& vasiline on the bandage and wrap it without any problems at all. She actually stood quietly with her dually halter on and didn't fuss at all. I was so happy with the way she behaved. A couple years back she had a cut on her back leg and I had a hard time doctoring that one. (I walked all over that pasture and still don't know how she cut herself.)
But when she goes out, I let her walk around while we clean her pen and I no longer have to call her or catch her or try to chase her in......I start doing the little arcs and she walks right in behind me. We're communicating. Today I dressed and wrapped her foot while she was loose without a halter or anything. The rest of her training is on hold until her foot heals more.