Horse Troubles

[WesternChick]

thank you for your help, I tried the backing up technique u know running her backwards and that worked ok for a few times but she is a very strong horse and very bull-headed so she got the idea that she could just plow through me....... I feel like I am the most in expeirienced person on the whole planet...... anyway so then i tried the circles technique and that didn't work that great.... yeah and don't worry, I am not the strongest person in the world so the cinch wasn't too tight, the sadle also fits fine... and I lounge her befor I ride WITH the saddle ON so I get the extra energy out.... she isn't afraid of any of the gear cuz I did the thing were u flop everything around and mess with it... she does not spook easily anyway (we live in the woods so shes used to gun shots and birds and deer and fox and squirells and all that good stuff) we also round pen her and she does better with that than lounging........ and I don't have any pics of her under saddle.

 

[WesternChick]

oh yeah and I took halter classes with her so she can back up and pivet and square and everything else...... but she does have major respect issues.

 

[Countrymom]

thank you for your help, I tried the backing up technique u know running her backwards and that worked ok for a few times but she is a very strong horse and very bull-headed so she got the idea that she could just plow through me....... I feel like I am the most in expeirienced person on the whole planet...... anyway so then i tried the circles technique and that didn't work that great.... yeah and don't worry, I am not the strongest person in the world so the cinch wasn't too tight, the sadle also fits fine... and I lounge her befor I ride WITH the saddle ON so I get the extra energy out.... she isn't afraid of any of the gear cuz I did the thing were u flop everything around and mess with it... she does not spook easily anyway (we live in the woods so shes used to gun shots and birds and deer and fox and squirells and all that good stuff) we also round pen her and she does better with that than lounging........ and I don't have any pics of her under saddle.

If she is plowing you over then you do not have her respect...or is she respecting your space. A nice crop or bat maybe in order. However, I HIGHLY suggest you go find yourself a local trainer to work with you personally on this. I and anyone else here can only give you so much over the internet. I suspect that you are not forceful enough and or doing your exercises long enough or even with the right body language. A trained professional can help you in so many ways once they visually see you working with your horse compared to us via internet. I suggest this for your safety...and when that is concerned, where there is a will there is a way. Find some help.

 

[WesternChick]

thanks that is a good Idea, do u have any idea were I can start looking for one?

 

[freemotion]

Ask your farrier, at the local tack shop, etc, then observe several trainers at work before you choose. People can take your money and leave you with bigger problems, but the right person is worth their weight in gold! I would start with the farrier, as he/she really knows which horses stand well!

 

[Countrymom]

Ask your farrier, at the local tack shop, etc, then observe several trainers at work before you choose. People can take your money and leave you with bigger problems, but the right person is worth their weight in gold! I would start with the farrier, as he/she really knows which horses stand well!

Have to agree on looking around. Some farriers are trainers...or claim to be...so visit many different trainers and work with the one that fits your needs.

 

[freemotion]

Oh, I didn't mean have the farrier train your horse, I meant the farrier will know which of his clients who are trainers have well-behaved horses who are not traumatized by the methods used.

 

[WesternChick]

ok I'll ask my ferrier about that but how much do you think it'll cost?

 

[freemotion]

It can be all over the place, cost-wise. Find someone who will come to you (unless you have a trailer and can easily bring your mare to the trainer) and work with YOU. Usually the owner and the horse both benefit from training. You will get more for your money if you learn to train, too. Make sure the trainer gives you homework between sessions and that the trainer will work with the horse with you watching, then have you work with the horse with the trainer watching.

I haven't had lessons in a few years, but last time I paid $85 per hour and it was worth every penny. I have also paid $20-40 for garbage, and learned things that later had to be unlearned. Go with someone who is proficient at what you would ultimately like to do.

When I was riding, I rode dressage, and found that lower level work with a trainer who rode at Olympic level was very different than lower level work with someone only 2-3 levels above me. I tried to save money early on by working with these people, then got very stuck because of all the bad habits I was taught. Not obvious things, as I was still able to get good scores at shows and bring home some pretty ribbons. But I couldn't advance until I worked with those I really admired, and spent the money. One $85 lesson was worth months of weekly cheaper lessons.

That doesn't meant you will pay that much. It is just to illustrate why you should carefully consider who you hire, and don't decide by price alone. In either direction! I live in an area where everything with the word "horse" attached to it is very expensive.

I have a friend in OKC who uses local "cowboys" to help her with training her horse to trailer and such, but spends a small fortune on riding lessons at a nearby stable that flies in Olympians once a month or so. So what will it cost? Who knows???

 

[pitchfork]

Sounds to me like Countrymom and Freemotion have the right answers. I would add to their thoughts on asking around and being sure you have someone who is truely competent. Years ago I had a woman, who was aquainted with my wife, call me and ask me a simple question about why her horse would not lead, I don't want to go into all the details but she clearly was new to horses. A few months later she had a flier up in the local feed store offering Dessage instructions.
So those are the people you want to watch out for. They mean well and they read all the books and watch all the videos and they can talk the talk and convince you they are the greatest, but don't really have that much experience. It sure sounds to me like you need to get in a round pen with a good competent trainer and let them show you how to gain your horses respect. While you are looking around you might try reading True Unity by Tom Dorrance, or any articles you can find by Ray Hunt. There are a lot of clinicians around these days and most use very similiar techniques, also many certify others in their methods, so you might find some one, as an example, that was trained by Clinton Anderson, or John Lyons, but I would really check with others who have used them and make sure their other clients were satisfied.
Good luck and keep us posted.