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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 8, 2006 20:58:04 GMT -1
I've put this up as a seperate post because i'm not sure what to do. I don't think Holly knows she is supposed to go forwards from the leg. Does this make sense? I used to use leg then reinforce with a schooling whip when she ignored me (every time!) She used to retaliate with a buck each time. Sorry for being a bit thick but I have only just realised, she probably felt really bad done to because I don't think she understands. I have been lungeing and obviously using voice commands, now I have transferred this to her ridden work, i experimented tonight. If I put my leg on she doesn't move. If I say walk on at the same time she does. So I now say "walk on" to move, "whoa" to slow down, "steady" if she gets a bit feisty and "stand" when I want her to stay still, exactly the same as I do on the lunge. Do you think this is too much? Will she learn and connect the aids with the voice? Any advice gratefully appreciated!! Jo x
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Post by JoM on Jul 9, 2006 4:48:31 GMT -1
your voice is meant to back up your aids. With D been a driving pony, he is 'voice activated' if you like! However, he does indeed know what the leg is for - even if he pretends he doesnt. With D, my instructor tells me to half halt, to prepare him and let him know something is going to happen, apply the aid, and use the voice for encouragemanet if you want to. I ask 3 times, and just after the 3rd, if I have got no response, he gets a sharp tap with the stick. Then we up a gear! I also get retailation bucks if he is in a particularly crabby mood!  Stick with it - there not daft! LOL Just remember to half halt before you do anything - it just gives them the heads that something is about to happen |
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 9, 2006 12:13:38 GMT -1
Ok I'll try that later. I just feel we made a breakthrough last night! Jo x
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Post by g on Jul 10, 2006 10:24:10 GMT -1
Hi.
Holly looks like a good fun mare, but it looks like you're right about her trying to tell you stuff.
After your ridden pictures you say "I was nervous can you tell?!!!!"
Yep. So could Holly.
The first thing to try is to get on and laugh. Then ride a cirle or a serpentine laughing as if your listening to the funniest comic around who won't let up.
It's difficult to be tense when you laugh - even your shoulders will tend to release.
Another thing to notice when you laugh is that your core muscles lift and engage.
So release the tension and have a laugh.
G
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 10, 2006 19:09:23 GMT -1
It's hard to get on and laugh when you've seen hoiw she bucks!!!! jo x
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Post by julie on Jul 13, 2006 21:11:10 GMT -1
I know how you feel Jo. You have it right - teach voice commands on the lunge, get them accurate, use when leading etc too and keep it very simple and repetitive. When you get on do the same, give the voice aid and the leg aid at the same time, so they connect that leg aid means walk on. You can also use the whip to tap gently where your leg aid would be when asking to walk on when leading. Once they have the idea you can then use the voice aids less. You can also teach over and I also teach and as a half halt - it and walk, and trot, meaning we are about to do something Trust your instincts!. if someone cam e up to you and kicked you how would you know what to do, then if they hit you for not undertsanding then you would poke a leg at them I bet!
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Post by julie on Jul 13, 2006 21:11:50 GMT -1
I know how you feel Jo. You have it right - teach voice commands on the lunge, get them accurate, use when leading etc too and keep it very simple and repetitive. When you get on do the same, give the voice aid and the leg aid at the same time, so they connect that leg aid means walk on. You can also use the whip to tap gently where your leg aid would be when asking to walk on when leading. Once they have the idea you can then use the voice aids less. You can also teach over and I also teach and as a half halt - it and walk, and trot, meaning we are about to do something Trust your instincts!. if someone cam e up to you and kicked you how would you know what to do, then if they hit you for not undertsanding then you would poke a leg at them I bet!
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 14, 2006 11:12:59 GMT -1
Yes she was really coming on. For the first time she didn't feel kind of woolly and vague.Poor love, I don't think she has ever understood. There has certainly not been a hint of a buck or rear while I was on her. Unfortunately I have just had to have extra unexpected surgery on my arm which was hurt (understatement of the year) in a riding accident, so i'm off for a little while again. Fortunately this time it was just tidying up so will get better quickly! Then we are off again! I was carrying the schooling whip with me for her to get used to it being there and just giving her a little stroke with it so she knows she needn't be scared of it. Can't wait to get going again! Jo x
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Post by merlinalison on Jul 16, 2006 16:11:51 GMT -1
Sounds like a real breakthrough Jo. Like Southerner says, I'm sure she'll soon connect the voice aid and the leg aid and then you can progress to using less and less. Merlin will also buck if you use a stick but only as a protest not anything nasty. (Though when I first started riding again after injuring my knee I was only allowed to ride if I didn't try to use my legs, so had to use long sticks to replace my leg aids (NOT beating him up I hasten to add - just pressing and tickling with firmer taps if needed) and he didn't buck at all, he looked after me really well.
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 17, 2006 10:18:26 GMT -1
They do seem to know don't they! I'm at a bit of a standstill at the moment as H is having her feet x-rayed again today. She had a windgall and I felt she wasn't quite right so had the vet and he said windgall is nothing to worry about but wants to check the rotation again just in case. She isn't even lame just not prancing about as usual, that might be the heat though! Anyway he says he wants me back riding her ASAP so fingers crossed all will be ok! Jo x
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Post by SuzieP on Jul 18, 2006 7:58:41 GMT -1
Re laughing.......I never ever thought I'd laugh through a bucking session. But went to DalesFans Camp a couple of years ago and we did a lot of laughing at ourselves (and crying too LOL), I learnt to laugh at my nerves, although sometimes through gritted teeth. When we got home I was having a riding lesson and my horse put in a couple of high spirited bucks and I found myself laughing - I think my instructor nearly fell over with surprise!! It is true - laughing does bring relaxation and the horse catches the mood as well!
It's still difficult to do though when every nerve is shouting that this is scarey.
It's great to see you on Holly, Jo, and I've nothing to add to what others have said re backing up aids with the voice. It makes sense to me - I do it all the time. Just have to remember not to do it loudly in dressage tests! LOL
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 21, 2006 10:23:27 GMT -1
Grrrr, new x rays show some more movement in the feet. Farrier and vet have been. Walking for the next 2 weeks!!! In this weather! Jo x
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Post by SuzieP on Jul 24, 2006 18:22:09 GMT -1
Oh no, Jo! How disappointing.......fingers crossed for some breezes to keep you and Holly cool...
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Post by akehurstannabel on Jul 24, 2006 18:31:27 GMT -1
It's ok she is sound again now. Jst got another shoeing next weds then more x rays and hopefully it's sorted. Itwas only a tiny adjustment to be made. Must admit I have been cheating and doing ride and lead! Jo x
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Post by harleydales on Jul 26, 2006 15:07:51 GMT -1
I still use voice aids with H - and 'and' to prepare him that something is going to happen. I'm glad I kept it up now that he is driving as it's been a huge bonus that he is voice active.
I still go along on endurance rides when he needs jollying aloong saying trrotting, trrotting, trrotting! People probably think I'm nuts but it works for us!
'Over' and 'back' are good too - he backs up if I whisper - handy for dressage tests!!!
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Stick with it - there not daft! LOL
