Re: RC: balking horse

[JANUSSTUDIO@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/24/00 1:11:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
trinity_oaks@yahoo.com writes:

I have a horse with a similar mind set.  In my case, I bought the horse (a 
nine year old gelding, Arab) last fall who had only 60 days of riding.  He is 
a real sweetheart and very cute,  and had been well started and obviously 
handled a lot, but had never been asked to do anything like the work I was 
introducing to him.
 He started getting a little balky when I would turn him through a gate going 
away from home, but a good kick in the ribs usually did the trick, or zig 
zaging to untrack him. Then he tried a few crow hops (he actually bucked off 
my daughter once), but since my Paint has taught me how to ride out 
unexpected, extra curricular activities, he was no match for the death grip 
my legs now have.  Finally, he thought he'd try simply refusing to go forward 
no matter what I did to untrack him (except of coarse when his cute little 
nose was pointed toward home). We had only gone maybe 1/2 mile from the barn 
when he suddenly felt like a glass wall was in front of him and no way was he 
going through it. When nothing worked, circling, etc. (we were on a steep 
downhill) and he was getting way to light in the front end, I finally got off 
and as a friend put it so well, 'we had a prayer meeting'. This prayer 
meeting took about 15 minutes, he discovered he wasn't as fit as he thought 
he was, nor was he nearly so frightened of the passing honking vehicles (we 
were in a pasture next to the road), and I (God) wasn't going back.  Got back 
on when he decided to look at me again and went on our way - until - we 
approached a dry creek just before getting to a gate that leads to the back 
of the farm. He has been reluctant here before, but now he stopped again, the 
same glass wall. So off I got again for another 'prayer meeting'. Again, it 
took about 15 min. for him to quit gazing at the horses in the next pasture 
and at the cows going to water. Got back on again when he was looking to God 
for relief. Walked right up to the gate without a problem and worked 
wonderfully from then on, another six or so miles.
I have to say though, that I'm thinking I probably made a mistake of rushing 
his work some.  I haven't given him enough time to just realize that work is 
fun, not just go, go, go. I took plenty of time with my young Paint and he 
loves to go out, at least after the first slow mile.<g> He (the Paint) now 
knows that the faster he gets to go the faster he is back at the barn. With 
the Paint, I took my time, did lots of walking, getting off to pick 
blackberries, letting him graze after a hard work at the back of the farm, 
stopping to talk to neighbors, that sort of thing. Which might work for your 
young horse?  Make it fun rather than just work, work, work.  Make being away 
from the barn as or more pleasant than being back at the barn. Treats can 
help here too.
Now, the day after our 'prayer meetings' ride I hauled him to our 'real 
trails' training grounds and put 9/10 miles on him with a couple of friends. 
He'd only been here once before. He was SO good. He was happy in the middle, 
in the back, and even in the scary front. Lead the pack well, trusted me when 
I asked him to trot on by those horse eating black stumps and was a dream to 
guide off trail where trees were down. Only had to get off once at a spook, 
(no prayer meeting here) just encouragement and off we went as a happy 
couple.<g>
Having said all that, I'm sure he will try again when he feels he's being 
abused, but hopefully the worst is over and we can get on with the fun.
Good luck with your buddy..

Jan & Jack- "but, but, I thought I was just a 'Living work of Art'.

<< Subj:     RC:  balking horse
 Date:  7/24/00 1:11:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time
 From:  trinity_oaks@yahoo.com (Terri O.)
 To:    ridecamp@endurance.net (ridecamp ridecamp)
 
 Having a slight challenge with a horse that otherwise
 I really do like.  I am not sure if she is being
 stubborn or if she is scared.  She does not like to
 take the lead very much in a crowd situation or even a
 one-on-one ride, but she will when I make her.  It
 just seems as if she will be going good and then she
 will suddenly stop and just not want to go.  My hubby
 who rode with me today says that she is being stubborn
 and that I need to get her respect.  He may be right. 
 So, today I went with spurs and a crop (no this is not
 an Arab) and would make her move forward, but actually
 even with those aids it would take a bit and I would
 get frustrated.  I don't really want to use aids like
 that one her....Any suggestion for a horse that
 hesitates like that and lacks impulsion?  She turned
 four this spring and is a Missouri Fox Trotter. She is
 such a sweetheart and very layed back actually and has
 a wonderful gait.  I'm in love, except for that. Also,
 I forgot to mention that when on the way HOME, she
 moves out very nicely and then does not lack impulsion
 and does not stop and minds very good.  So, this might
 indicate that she is lazy?   Help would be
 appreciated.  Thanks - Terri >>