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Posted by rosalita208
on 7/16/2012, 12:42 pm
208.121.74.182 | Message modified by user rosalita208 7/16/2012, 12:44 pm
Just want to give a little update. Turns out that everyone was right, if that's possible. More consistent discipline, more sensitivity, more paying attention, rewards and praise.
All of the things that everyone suggested have been helping a lot, plus one other thing that my expert riding friend pointed out to me:
I have spent time building more of a relationship with the horse, and working on ground work, flexibility, lots of neck bends.
I have no tolerance for kicking out/bucking. If he even thinks about doing it, bend his neck, disengage his hindquarters, keep him in tight circles until he gives me some sign of wanting to get along again, relaxing, licking chewing, etc. Sorry, buddy, I'm the boss. I'm a fair boss and a nice boss, but that doesn't mean you can take control of the situation.
Take him on trails and let him have fun.
Take him in the arena and make him work there nicely, even though he doesn't want to, through consistent, patient, persistence. Don't escalate to a battle.
Use aids in the arena as firmly as needed to check him from squiggling around, trotting sideways, backing up, etc. when he refuses to move forward nicely. Make him stand by the open gate and not go through until he stands calmly, stops throwing his head and trying to rush out. Make the right thing easy.
Only stop the arena work when he has done what was asked of him nicely and willingly. Don't ask too much all at once and give him credit for trying. Don't demand perfection, but do expect that he must get better and better over time. Ask for a little more, a little more.
My friend gave me some good pointers on more advanced rein handling and leg cues with a horse that makes the kind of moves this one does. How to hold the reins and work the reins and legs to block him.
All of this is helping a lot. In the arena am just going at the trot right now and getting that all straightened out. He's giving up the kicking out, throwing a fit kind of attitude, and he's starting to learn that working with me isn't so bad.
Might be a different deal when we start cantering in the arena, but at least we are making progress.
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