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Post by rookiehooves on Oct 27, 2015 2:36:00 GMT
So, some backstory.. I bought my horse a year ago. He was a 5 year old gelding, an Icelandic-Paso Fino-QH cross. I had only been riding for 3 months (never ridden prior), and had asked my instructor to help me find a horse when I was 'ready', and described my needs (quiet, safe, a trail/pleasure/barrel horse). She felt I was ready then, and set me up with Hershey. At the time, it seemed like he may have been a good choice. In the 4 or 5 rides I put on him before buying him from the barn he seemed full of personality and quite fun to ride. After a while though, I found he was very forward and scared me a little, but I also knew you cant grow by staying in your comfort zone. He had all these little quirks that I was told he would get over, or were cute. Things like bolting to the door, refusing to work when he knew jumps were being set up (he loved jumps and needed to watch them go up), crow hopping when asked to do something he didn't want to, refusing to be caught, being pushy and fighting me to do his feet. I didn't realize the severity of letting these poor behaviors go, and no one said anything to make me think these were issues to be corrected and ultimately displays of disrespect.
Fast forward to now.. we moved this spring and started new jobs. He moved with me, to another barn. At he previous barn he lived in a paddock, and now he lives in a pasture. He turned into an entirely different horse. All that freedom and his own small portion of the herd to lead, really changed him. All those behaviors that were tolerable previously were now amplified. I can tell hes happier here, but his behaviour is much much worse. It can take up to an hour to catch him, hes bolted on me multiple times in a ride. Usually he just heads to the gate but now he knows Ill make him do circles so he refuses to stop, and runs around the grass ring with me screaming woah and pulling back on his reins until he knows Im good and shaken and hell stop by the brush stalls.
In my lessons my new instructor pointed out the disrespectful behavior and has worked with me to correct it. Ive bought books to teach myself groundwork (my old barn didn't practice it) and learn more about different techniques and thoughts on how to solve my problems. My instructor cant be there all the time, and I want to put more time in than just once a week at a lesson. Ive tried doing circles and backing him up. Sometimes it helps, sometimes hell do whatever it takes to avoid those activities (crow hopping, bolting, head tossing). I tried a crop and some smacks to deter bad behavior but the only time I smacked him while mounted he partially reared. I feel like when I try and assert myself and discipline him he gets more aggressive in his behaviors. Which in turn scares me and I end up rattled and he can sense it.
I know Im in a position where I am a green rider, and I bought a horse that needed an advanced rider. I don't want to give up on him. I purchased him, I just don't feel its right to sell him down the road. I just feel like Ive hit a wall and Im not sure how to progress with him. I don't have thousands to spend on trainers and a small part of me thinks that even if he went for training I would screw him back up because I'd have a hard time just trusting him again. I think in order to feel more confident myself I need to have a hand in our improvements together.
Has anyone else ever experience anything like this? How did you assert yourself, and what kind of exercises helped you to gain some ground?
A disclaimer: no health issues and the first tack the barn set me up with did not fit him so I started riding bareback more and bought different tack that does fit him and allows him to move better (hes gaited). |
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 27, 2015 10:24:20 GMT
As you know he is spoiled and disrespectful...to you!
Personally if you don't spend some money and get some professional help you are going to spend money getting medical help...he is a accident waiting to happen TO YOU!
OK...so funds are always part, a large part of the equation.
You don't at this point need to get rid of him but you do need experienced help in handling him and breaking some of those "habits" learned...
Remove him from that pasture and "his herd" if at all possible...
If he doesn't want to come to you work his butt off..yup that means chase the crap out of him. No sense in running everyones horse.
Get a lunge whip and use it to crack it behind him and make him go, go, go...not hit him.
Make him WORK till he is out of breath {you will be too btw}.
That is where I would start since if you can't get your hands on him you can't work any of his other issues....
His riding antics need a experienced rider, sorry... your few months of lessons do not qualify you as that.
Your instructor can "instruct" from astride, working him and his nonsense probably better than you can. 2 extra rides a week...plus your lesson time and any other time you get to the barn...perfect!
Sending him out to a trainer for 30 days would be best and then you then work another 30 days with the trainer handling him so you learn how to deal with his disrespect.
That is a lot of $$ though and more than most have in excess cash.
Sadly, your other barn sold you a horse that they may not of been able to sell to someone more horse savvy and experienced. A experienced rider who would of put him to the test and pushed his buttons for reactions you now have....
I can also only think he has gotten worse with a inexperienced rider/handler and no strict discipline and guideline to go by. Not your fault as you were not taught it and your previous barn did not practice respect and discipline when handling it sounds like.
He now needs strong handling. Does not mean cruel..it means a authority figure and learn his place and respect yours.
Either way, he needs a re-education in what he can and will be allowed to do.
You need a education in "Horse 101" although you are learning it through the school of "hard-knocks" classes...
Together you have a chance if you can get good instruction for him and for you in how to out-smart him and work him against himself when he is bad {disrespectful}...
Horses are very smart...they get your number quickly then use it to their advantage.
You, as a human will never be able to out-muscle a horse so you must outsmart a horse at their game...
Think always one-step in front of their brain...they have a huge skull and a brain the size of both your fists together...pea sized in relation to their size.
Your new barn, new instructor know you are needing help.
Ask them to help you, ask them to work and handle that horse to correct him, both from the ground and astride.
You may not need "training board" but some good ride time with a strong rider and one who knows how to outsmart him and use him against him...
Then they need to teach you how to do it.....
If none of those options are available...
Yes, I would sell him and send him off.
He is not a safe mount for you to handle on the ground or astride.
With the right rider he may be wonderful, but right now with you and your abilities he is a menace and not the safest horse for you to be dealing with one on one.
sorry....
 ...
jmo..
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Post by horselady on Oct 27, 2015 11:54:12 GMT
All of what hl4l has said is a good start. BUT i would take him from the pasture and keep him in a small area. so if he is not caught easily you are not chasing in a huge pasture. believe me that is no fun/ if he does not like to be caught he is associating that with being worked and he is too smart and is causing you all that stress.
than when you catch him. make it a pleasant experience. groom and love and turn back out. if only for 10 minutes. than catch him again and proceed to groom again than ride. only short sessions before everything falls apart.
ground work is so important. and when you work with him. keep your talking to a minimum. praise in one word, good boy. and walk. trot. circle . turn. over. back. all one words. not sentences. their brain closes up when so much stimuli is going on you need to tire him physically and mentally. not activate him until he is bolting and refusing to work .
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572 
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Post by Lipizzan on Oct 27, 2015 14:31:19 GMT
I agree with what's being said already and I would just add that my opinion is stop riding for a while, at least on him. I would start from a beginning. Imagine you are training a young horse. Groundwork is basic thing and it is the most important thing you have to do and do it good before you ride. You CAN'T mount a horse that does not respect you, it is not safe(I done it many thimes though, not something someone should look up to). Ask your trainer for basic things you can train him on a lounge, or use youtube, there are many good clips you can find .
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Oct 27, 2015 14:36:27 GMT
I'm sorry but my opinion is probably not what you want to hear. I would sell him before someone gets seriously hurt. This is not the horse for you and I'm afraid if you keep trying to work/fight with him, you will start to not enjoy it and it could ruin your passion/dream about horse ownership. You need to find a true steady-eddie on which you can work on your horsemanship without worrying about what the horse is going to do.
jmo.
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Post by 1fatmule on Oct 27, 2015 15:36:42 GMT
Younger horse's, and green rider's don't typically go together very well. i have seen it work out, but it's when the young horse has an "old soul" type of an outlook on life, those type's are few, and far between. they are kind, aloof, unflappable, and take to training like they've been broke for year's. you would have SO much more fun on a been there, done that horse, something in the 12, to 15 year old age range, maybe even a little older if his history is known. horse's are supposed to be stress relieving, and as you know that's not happening here... be honest to his prospective buyer's, or he could end up in a bad place. I "liked" your story because you are being truthful to yourself, and your horse.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Oct 27, 2015 18:02:57 GMT
Agree green rider smart horse not a good mix. Even experienced riders wouldn't put up with a horse that. If you REALLY want to keep him. I would send him to a trainer for a restart. One that will include you with the training. Or get rid of him and find a compatible replacement. They're are to many good ones out there.  |
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Oct 27, 2015 19:05:41 GMT
But if she really loves the horse there is more to it then just being able to ride. My mare was a baby and I did not know nothing about horses when we got her, well we are still together after 12 years. Maybe a green rider and a green horse is not such a good idea, but if she has love and dertemination to make it work, why not.
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Post by horselady on Oct 27, 2015 19:48:45 GMT
To continue ,, if he misbehaves, than one word NO and a yank on the lead line and than circle. if you are riding him. again. one word NO than circle. make those hind feet cross each other and do not be kind or easy, those circles are done quick and without pause. you look down on his neck so you do not get dizzy than stop. stand. breath, and do not pet or praise. nothing. than give the command with your heel or leg to walk. when he does that circle the arena than stop in the center. drop your reins breath and dismount. now praise. than and only than.
remember when you talk. to him your voice is praise, he needs to understand that your voice is COMMANDS.. to behave and to work.
good luck, again if you feel he is too much. send to someone who can put 30 -60 days on him and also allow you to observe and ride in the lessons. after he has had about 20.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Oct 28, 2015 1:26:13 GMT
I'm afraid you wound up buying a horse that has issues that are beyond your current ability to control or fix, and he's going to get you hurt. My suggestion to you would be to either (a) sell him to a more experienced rider who has the ability to handle him and hopefully fix his issues and get yourself a nice, quiet, been there/done that type of horse that you can handle and have fun with, or (b) spend some money to hire a good trainer, preferably one who will work with you as well as your horse, and send him out for 30 to 60 days of training. Hopefully the trainer can fix his issues, but if the trainer doesn't also teach you how to handle the issues if they start to pop up again, you'll wind up right back where you are now, with a horse who doesn't respect you and is going to get you hurt. Good luck in whatever you decide.
jmo |
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Post by rookiehooves on Oct 28, 2015 2:29:23 GMT
Thank you all so much. I left some things out since my last post got so long. The reason I haven't given up yet is I do believe that he is a good horse. For every 3 rides, 1 is actually pretty good. I fully understand that the other 2 are full of disrespectful behaviors that are either posturing or becoming dangerous. I know 1/3 isn't good enough so that's why Im reaching out now. My BO (also instructor) has tried her best to be available for me for advice but I just want to get any and all opinions to help work this out. I know now hes beyond my skill level, and I wish I hadn't been so gullible to believe I was ready for a horse after 3 months of riding, but I do feel 100% responsible for the situation he is in. Selling him scares me, Im afraid what might happen to him in the end. I know Im contributing to the problem by not having the tools to respond to his behaviors and Im trying by reading books, asking my BO and now reaching out to you.
I love the idea of focusing more on groundwork. Its also something my new BO has got me starting to do. He really hasn't been lunged much. At my old barn when I tried lunging him he would run out of the circle (they didn't have a round pen). So their solution was to just 'free lunge' him around the arena. It got his energy out but now Im noticing when I lunge him sometimes he seems confused when I try and push him out onto a larger circle in the round pen. I think hes just as new to it as I am. Id like to try working him on the ground more. In the meantime I can save for a trainer so if it doesn't work out I can start looking for someone to work with both of us. I know we'll both have to go, otherwise my confidence wont be there and Ill end up sending him back on the path were trying to get away from. I never thought of that before, the one word and silence unless its a command. I think I do talk to him when we ride. Ill have to try and use less words and make sure to not use language as much for rides especially when disciplining him.
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Post by dickel on Oct 28, 2015 3:26:09 GMT
On the hard to catch deal, When I have a horse that is hard to catch they get real hungry until I can calmly take hold of the halter and lead them to feed. Actually they don't get very hungry. Time is also in the package, one on one time with the horse where they learn you are where they get the love that they all want. That may be harder when boarding a horse. All horses I have had over the years have wanted to please me after they knew what I was asking of them. Calmly repeating what I wanted of them over and over until they wanted to as I ask. Discipline to my horses has meant to calmly force them to do as I ask until they want to do it not to strike or hit. I do bump them with my fore arm if they want to push on me. I will give sharp pulls on the lead to get their attention with sharp voice commands. Mainly their name. I think my mother taught me that, sharp voice calling my name. I had to guess what it was for. Could have been one of several things. I don't know where Dixie picked it up. However at 77 my reactions are much slower for Dixie than they were for Mom when I was 7 or so. Mom was not opposed to using a stick or any other thing she could lay her hands on. what was I trying to say. Oh well take it for what it cost cause I'm not rereading it because it is bed time. Nite all
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Post by horselover4life on Oct 28, 2015 22:27:38 GMT
Rookie...
It is not only your verbal words but your unspoken body language that the horse is reading.
When my horse{s} get disrespectful I get what I call, Big & Ugly" in a wicked hurry. INSTANTLY!
To discipline you must be fast and immediate in your action, swift and harsh as is deemed needed by the offense done.
Once the discipline has been handed out, resume your pleasant manner and go forth like it did not happen.
Think about what happens in a herd of horses...mixed company the lead mare is disciplinarian not the male. They bow to her authority.
If you disobey her she is swift and tough instantly to get you in line...bite, kick and a hoof flying and beating on you, instantly and harshly.
Your little body weight and strength is nothing compared to the horses 900+ pounds....think about that.
You have one second to respond..make it count! Hence my "BIG & UGLY"....
Do be careful though as your suddenly developing a new demeanor with the horse will confuse him some and he is going to test you, and test you good to see if you mean it. You better mean it too!!
Be purposeful in your actions. Clear and concise so your body language can be read clearly. Take no crap from him. If he pins a ear, he learns that was a big mistake...
One step out of line... you can have no weak points in re-training him...it must be strict and yes it must be harsh to drive the point home he is now required to act differently.
This is not easy for a experienced horseperson let alone someone new and learning so much yet.
You are the leader, he learns it and he never is allowed to forget it and you never can let him forget it if you can get to the point of role reversal of him subservient to you not you to him as it is currently.
As a example... our new horse almost no ground manners.
He would walk through me, over me and stomp on me, besides pushing me, crowding me...just a "pig" for manners...
He has learned to respond and get out of my space.
If I tell him "BACK" he backs up.
"STAND", he plants his feet.
"OVER" and a gentle touch to his side he side-passes away from pressure.
"WHOA"...stops from a dead-run now so fast he can unseat me if I'm astride and I say it forcefully he reacts faster.
I use "EASY" to slow him down and then "WHOA" to gentle the stop.
Simple one-word commands he can understand not necessarily the word but they can hear different hard sounds of consonance and vowels...
You must be consistent in your handling of him so he learns this is how it is...
If I look at them sternly or get in their face they retreat or lick their lips in "uh-oh"....
It won't be easy for you...in fact you will be near in tears many days working to correct him.
You or someone must though either correct and fix his attitude or you need to sell him.
Your safety is worth more than the horse...and truthfully, if he hurts you where then do you think he will end up?
You wrote he did a rear when you disciplined him...big or little a rear is a rear! Total disrespect and very dangerous!
My neighbor has a Paso....sweet horse but pig-headed!
She went to a trainer after she could not make any headway with him on some issues...
Trainer told her you train a Paso differently because they think differently...and I believe it.
Now some of what she is having happen to her he never did to me because he tried and I got in his face and beat on him something terrible right in front of her!!!
He deserved every step he had to make in reverse running, everytime he tried to rear and strike me he got taken down and hard to the ground...yup I dumped him off his feet... he did that 3 times and won't raise his feet at me ever again cause he knows all hell is going to arrive on his body in a split second!
He comes to me when I call him, he is respectful and obedient on the ground and astride. He craves my attention and kindness, but he behaves and earns it.
I ride him on a buckle and he walks calmly with me..not jigging or being obstinate cause again he knows he will not like the outcome.
After re-reading your posts...
You need more than just a sometimes rider on him for a few training sessions.
You need a very good trainer who can and will give as good as he gets....yes, he needs TOUGH!!
Then you need to start working with the horse under that trainers watchful and instructive eyes... to teach you how to handle his belligerence and bad behaviors.
If you can't or won't do that then I think you may be in very far over your head...your are already fearful, the horse knows it, acts upon it and enjoys the upper hand against you...
Truthfully, you need to do some very heavy soul-searching and decide if you want to even spend the time and money working a issue you may not be able to correct.
Keeping a horse you are afraid of, handling a horse who so disrespects you..... 
Only once you make some of those heart-felt decisions will you know what path of travel to take.
You also need to take your heart out of the equation and look at it intellectually...he is your first horse and I truly understand that...
I also recognize the danger signs I saw when I re-read every post you wrote and responses from all of us....
I can guarantee you I am considerably older than you, have worked the horse industry professionally and learned when to push and when to retreat...
If you sell him, you ARE NOT abandoning him or anything like that but recognizing he is more horse than you can safely handle right now with your training and knowledge.
In the right hands he will be wonderful. Right now though those hands may not be yours but someone elses.
On the contrary to abandoning him,..you are actually giving him a chance to excel.
Think about that....
sorry, but I truly believe that...
...
jmo...apologies for the book.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 2, 2015 4:35:19 GMT
Whoever sold you a five year old when you were so new to riding is an idiot. But, having said that, that doesn't mean it can't work out. I like some of the ideas that have been suggested. Groundwork for respect, a trainer that will work with you with him, both of these are good ideas. I'm not one who agrees with lunging much. A little to remind him of his commands such as the cluck to trot and the kiss to lope and, most important, the whoa. But some people like doing lots of lunging and I don't think it does any good.
If I were you I'd get a hold of the Pat Parelli seven games videos. We have them in our local library. And try to work from there. Don't get his book, I have it and it sucks, it's very hard to apply what he says. So much easier to see it being done. The seven games are great for earning respect, even just the first games, not necessarily all seven. And I'm not a PP fan at all, I just like the basic games. Stacey Westfall is good, too. Basically, I'd treat him like a young horse you're just starting. He's got your number and is flying with it, he needs some tuning in to show him that's his behaviour will not be tolerated. Nothing mean, just some activities that will let him know you've figured him out.
I have to ask. I always wonder what happens when people cross gaited breeds. How does he go? I can't imagine what his gait would be like. What an interesting combination. I'd love to see pics of him and a video of him going would be really interesting!
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Post by carshon on Nov 2, 2015 13:20:35 GMT
Clinton Anderson's book is excellent for ground manners. I have used it and still referred to it. I am not always his biggest fan but I found the book to be very helpful and the instructions easy to read and follow
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Post by rookiehooves on Nov 16, 2015 15:49:58 GMT
After all the responses and much thought I had decided to sell him. I'm in over my head and after a long heart to heart with a friend I realized it wasn't fun anymore. I'm an anxious person, although I come across calm my mind is always going. Riding originally became one of the few times my mind was at ease. Now, its one of the many things I worry about and stress over. Which is amplifying my problems with Hersh and it's not enjoyable anymore. I thought I could look for an older, quieter horse that will help me build confidence, and I can trust to keep me safe while Im still learning. BUT I keep going to the barn. And working with Hersh. Hes still hard to catch, but hes doing really well with his groundwork. Actually listening. Lunging was interesting, he wont go counter clockwise and clockwise he will trot and canter but then suddenly he piles on the breaks and comes in to me with his head down tucking it gently at my hip. I have been so cautious to make sure my body positioning isn't indicating for him to come in, and even with the lunge whip hitting the ground he does this. Hell go back out after I push him away but again suddenly hell run in towards me and tuck his head. He follows me around the round pen in a large circle, with no lead rope, and walks and halts with me using single word commands. I even had him walking over some cross rails that were left set up, and then backing up over them! That was a major accomplishment! Were making little baby steps at least. These last few times his eyes were soft and kind again, I felt like I made some progress on the respect level, although I know were far from where we need to be. Ill look for Clinton Anderson's book and the Seven games videos. I was using Keith Hosman's 'What I'd Teach Your Horse' to learn some respect activities for now. Thanks for the suggestions, its always better if you can find something recommended vs what Amazon recommends lol  nhg - His movements are very very neat! His tolt is so smooth, it feels more like a horizontal back and forth vs a normal horses up and down movement. Its almost like a paddling or waddling feeling. Recently my BO was watching us trot and she said he is much happier and more natural moving at a tolt vs trot so I had tried to tolt more to make it easier on him. Its quite fun and easy to sit  Ill have to upload some photos from my phone. I don't have any video but that's a great idea, Ill have to try and get one in the round pen! |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Nov 16, 2015 20:28:20 GMT
I'm glad to hear you are doing ground work with him, and that he's improving! At this stage of the game, though, if it were me, I still would NOT allow him to come in to me off the circle when you're lunging him. I would insist that he stop and turn to face you when you ask him to whoa (and if you didn't ask him to whoa, then you need to drive him back out on that circle), but he needs to remain a safe and respectful distance from you while he stands and waits for further instruction from you. You are allowed to approach him. He is not allowed to approach you without you asking for him to come in. No matter how cute and sweet it may seem when he suddenly comes in to you and tucks his head at your hip, in my opinion it is still a form of disrespect - he's not respecting your space, and one of these times he may come charging in and just keep charging if you allow him to continue to come into your space uninvited. jmo Keep up the ground work, though, because it definitely sounds like you are starting to get through to him!
Oh, and the way you describe his way of going, I second the request for a video! I'd love to see how he moves. Sounds nice! 
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 17, 2015 11:37:37 GMT
Anything in life takes great effort to make successful, horses included.
I'm glad to hear you are working in the right direction...
A beginning of respect is happening....a beginning!
I agree about that lunging and arriving when he chooses...he is testing and pushing that respect.
You still need to be forceful mentally and always alert to his body language.
He comes to you when he wants, catching him in the field, stepping out of a lunge pattern and arriving in your space....
Can you see he is listening but still showing his will, although now may be questioning his "leadership" role with you now making demands upon him of complying.
Horses are supposed to be fun and relaxation {for most of us}, also a lot of hard work, your mental energy is used to keep their attention and outsmart them at their own game many times.
Although a start in the right direction you see, realize you have far to go to get to a "safe" and complying spot with this horse.
What you also achieve on the ground you will need to then start all over and gain that "leadership & respect" role from astride...hard work!!
You may still need that assistance or trainer to work him out of his antics...do not let your guard down. And once you think you can, you probably never can with a horse such as this one who will become disrespectful again....consistency is the key and never lessen the consistency you demand of him or yourself.
So...
Keep at it.
However, there is no shame in deciding if you have had enough and this just "isn't fun" anymore and you want a different horse to work, enjoy and relax with.
Honestly, I just did sort of the same thing.
Had a horse, a great horse with training.
He was so "up" though I could never ever let my guard down and he frightened my son and unseated me to many times...
I sold him...
His new owner loves him to death. He does not do to her what he was doing to me {thankfully}....they are a great match.
So, no shame from me.
We just were not the match we needed to be and I recognized it {with help from my friends here}, sold...moved on to a new horse that is a joy to have around and more importantly FUN to ride!!
So, end of a story....
There is no shame in recognizing that the horse we have may not be the horse we want or need and doing something about it.
All of us have been where you are, some of us probably are where you are, and we all had to try to work through it and then make decisions that were best for us and our individual situations or keep, sell, trade, send for training or run for the hills....
Recognizing your limitations and what you are willing to put up with or continue onward with will answer so many of those thoughts only you know running in your mind...
jmo...
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 23, 2015 5:42:22 GMT
Good for you for working through this. I bet you'll be just fine. It sounds like he's attached himself to you. Interesting about his gait, it sounds like what the walkers do. They're very back and forth rather than up and down.
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Post by rookiehooves on Nov 29, 2015 16:00:48 GMT
I thought I'd post an update. I haven't ridden since he unravelled me, about a month ago. I have been just visiting and hanging out with him and doing some groundwork. I have next weekend off so I think if the weather is as nice as its forecasted I will saddle him up and try a short ride again. I couldn't find anything on the 7 games at our library so I googled it and found videos of other people doing the games and some 'how to' write ups. He's done well (and seemed quite happy with himself) for the Friendly, Porcupine, and Circle game. The yo-yo was hit and miss. He seemed confused but still tried, we almost got it but I think that one will take more work. He HATES backing up, but we got to a point where I was able to say 'back' and barely have my hand on his nose and he would step back. Tuesday I went for a visit only because the weather was so horrible, and when I left he stood at the gate and watched me walk away, even gave a little whinney. I think he wanted a longer visit and dare I say, to work!? A couple weeks ago I contacted my old barn, when I was seriously considering selling him. When I purchased him they put on this show about how much they didn't want to sell him but we were such a good fit and if anything happened they'd want him back vs him going away to a different home. So I thought I'd let them know what was happening, and that I was considering putting him up for sale. They said he never had any of those behaviours before he left (untrue, and we both witnessed her husband ride him through those behaviours on 'training rides') and blamed it on him being unhappy here and my instructor not being Equine Canada certified. My instructors at my new barn have more experience teaching than my last one, more experience with horses and were listening to what I wanted out of lessons vs just following a generic program. I don't know what I expected to be honest I guess. If they had no interest then that is all they had to say. The more I look back on my old barn, the more unhappy I am with my experience there. After spending thousands of dollars I worked hard to save for on a horse, tack, and lessons all through them I kind of expected things to be different. And nhg, as part of my new lesson program I had to write an essay on 'tolting', one of his gaits. It is explained as a movement similar to one of the gaits of a TWH. They call it something else, but it's essentially the same thing. They're beautiful to watch too! |
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Ill have to upload some photos from my phone. I don't have any video but that's a great idea, Ill have to try and get one in the round pen!
