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Post by chickflick1066 on Jun 14, 2006 20:27:22 GMT -1
I never thought I'd say this but I'm having trouble stopping my horse!! I took her for a blast today and found myself struggling to stop, and the other day she just 'took off' after I tried to stop her following a bolting horse. It's really bothering me. She used to have plenty of manners out hacking, really sedate and lazy. Since she's lost weight and getting fitter, she's also getting naughtier! If I even dare to hold her back  she bunny hops and even tries to rear (albeit half heartedly) untill I give in and let her go. It's starting to bother me. I thought I had control of my pony, and she's no bolter/dangerous pony. She's just getting a bit full of herself recently. I do love to go fast, I'd just prefer it if she had a few more manners and patience, instead of pulling my arms out trying to get to a horse in front. And I'd also like to stop relying on pulling her in her mouth to get her to stop. No use pulling against a puller is there! |
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Post by harleydales on Jun 14, 2006 20:40:04 GMT -1
Harley can get very strong, especially in company and when he's fit. I ride him in a drop noseband with a running martingale which helps.
Sometimes if I throw the reins away that works, he's nothing to lean on if I let go of the contact and it steadies him up.
If he's really naughty, I take away the privelidge (sp!) of hacking and go back to school with small spurs on and do more slow boring work with him until he settles down.
Works for me!
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Post by dalesponyrider on Jun 15, 2006 5:31:15 GMT -1
D is very forward going and I've found my Pelham to be my saviour! In fact, I'm not going to like taking it off to do the Bakewell Show. It has become my dummy!
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Post by JoM on Jun 15, 2006 6:36:55 GMT -1
I too have upgraded Dancer to a Pelham. Although he has a very soft mouth, he is a big muscle of horse and I know there is no way I can hold him if he decides to go. The last pleasure ride I went on, I popped his french link on. I was exhausted by the time we finished as he had just pulled me about from start to finish.
He is a bolter anyway, so I enjoy the piece of mind the pelham gives me.
I wouldnt let him go though if he was 'demanding' it. Any rudeness of that nature means his friends get to go have fun and he has to walk (yes, on 2 legs sometimes) after them.
Mean mummy!!! But I hate been towed about. ;D
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Post by The Moo on Jun 15, 2006 6:57:09 GMT -1
I think with your other post as well, you ought to seek out an instructor first and have some lessons which will help you with your seat, aids, blah, blah and get Stumps used to listening to you again.
I am as guilty as you for not having had a lesson in yonks but as soon as my proper saddle arrives I am getting one booked. So far with my new pony I have hacked out at walk in company and walk and trot if I have been by myself but I am not doing anything faster until I know she will do as I want, so far she has been an absolute poppet but I need to know that at faster paces, especially in company, I can apply what I have done in the school and she will do as she is supposed to do. (At least that is the idea LOL)
Having a hoolie doolie ride is always great fun but I want to be able to do it when I want, if you normally ride out with a group who tend to be a fast just explain what you are trying to acheive and you'll be joining them again when you are ready. When I said in the yard I was just going out for a walk and trot another girl was so pleased to come with me on her newish TB as she was terrified of going out with the others who bomb off all over the place.
Hope that doesn't sound as if i am too boring but I want to enjoy my pony and have got past the point of thinking sh!!!tttt here we go again everytime we hit an open space or grass track.
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Post by chickflick1066 on Jun 15, 2006 8:08:37 GMT -1
The Moo - No, don't worry. I was hoping for fab advice which you've provided. Looks like I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and have a 'dreaded' lesson!
Thanks Linda and Jo, sound tips there...
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Post by loopylou on Jun 15, 2006 10:28:42 GMT -1
Flash nose band and a running martingale might help the situation.
I know easy said and done, but do you try to walk, trot in the places where you most often go for a canter. Then they don't get use to cantering / galloping in the same spots all the time.
This has happened to me and still is at the moment, and it is scary, i have a youngster that goes from plod to bolt some days, very hair raising, especially as i am not very confident rider.
Lesson will help lots and i know you had a few problems with an instructor, but it is worth trying different instructors in the area until you find the right one.
How far away did we decide you lived from me???
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Post by rebeccajane on Jun 15, 2006 10:50:12 GMT -1
half halts, half halts and more half halts, it helps but not allways 100%  . |
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Post by shirlnjazz on Jun 15, 2006 14:27:28 GMT -1
half halts, half halts and more half halts, it helps but not allways 100% . Dead right, no use pulling and hauling like a mad thing cause they are much stronger than us just keep trying to circle her very tight when she does the jibbing thing, just to prevent bigger rears happening. I would stop fast work out and about till you have her going a bit more calmer. Go for it with the lessons be brave, go on you can do it. Wish I stayed nearer you |
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Post by rosie on Jun 17, 2006 17:37:42 GMT -1
The horse I ride is very strong and can be quite hard to stop. Mostly he's very good but is sometimes less well mannered! On these occasions I really put my leg on to ride him right up into the contact and make him work, rather than tank, which he is less keen on! I don't like to get too strong with the reins but a few pulls on one rein can be helpful, pulling on both just gives them something to pull against. Also, I have had to be really disciplined and only let him canter when I want. It is so tempting to just think 'ahh go on then' when he starts pushing for a canter but I have to be firm! And if he gets too full of himself it's back to walking hacks only. Most of the time I try and ride with a long rein and hold him with my seat which does work. If he does go I try and circle too.
Hope you get it sorted!
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Post by flintfootfilly on Jun 19, 2006 15:51:49 GMT -1
I'd opt for "reprogramming" her and doing LOTS of slow work, LOTS of transitions, LOTS of checking you can stop, and in particular aiming for one rein stops rather than two reins stops, which horses will just brace against anyway. With a one rein stop, if you've practised it at all gaits in a controlled environment, then it becomes a habit to just calmly slide your hand down one rein, while only keeping a loose hold on the other rein (no contact with the mouth though), and invite your horse to soften into the one rein. It can be quite a powerful tool and it doesn't risk the braciness that you get with 2 reins..... but it does take plenty of practice to be able to use it gently and effectively.
Lessons do sound a good idea to help you back on the right track too.
Sarah
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Post by greydales on Jun 19, 2006 16:24:27 GMT -1
When I had my horse Pip I always had to be careful who I rode out with as he was very hot and flighty. I spent years hacking out with Dan who is as steady as they come (although even he has his moments!) and this did calm Pip down a lot. But I could never have ridden him out with people who just took off as he would have gone beserk! And hunting was a complete no-no  I think that it would benefit you to have lessons with a good instructor, one that you can relate to, and to hack out with considerate riders. I am another fan of pelhams and if you use them correctly they can transform a horse (using double reins not a rounding). |
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Post by chickflick1066 on Jun 19, 2006 17:33:17 GMT -1
Cheers guys |
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Post by alberta on Jun 30, 2006 8:30:18 GMT -1
No use pulling against a puller is there![/quote] Hello There is no use pulling at all IMHO. Good advice Sarah. I was cruising down here and thinking about explaining the one rein stop too and saw your post. However I've found that people often really need to understand how to teach it to their horses and have some interest in 'feel' as otherwise the horse can get scared. Leslie desmond has put together a terrific audio book and the first of 10 CDs covers this very problem. See www.lesliedesmond.com . She also has an extremely good set of 3 DVD's available that bring up many safety factors and also ground work with a line making the point that if we can connect and communicate with our horses well thro' feel' on the ground then the liklihood is that we will do a good job when on top of them. All worth every penny in my view. Hopw some of you find her site interesting. There is loads in it to support any horse and rider. |
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she bunny hops and even tries to rear (albeit half heartedly) untill I give in and let her go. It's starting to bother me. I thought I had control of my pony, and she's no bolter/dangerous pony. She's just getting a bit full of herself recently.
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