Re: RC: shocked

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Terri
No not all Arabs behave that way. Without knowing your mare's history it
is hard to even imagine why she is behaving that way in groups. My first
line of attacking this problem would be to call the person you purchased
her from and see if he/she can shed some light on the subject. Hate to
say this, but could be reason they sold her--nervous mare, bad
experience, wrong time on month (yes it happens---and no PMS jokes from
you guys out there, please), whatever.
I believe you can probably overcome this with patience and time. First I
would check to see if she was acting strange because she was in heat--
she might be perfectly fine another day-- perhaps less wind in the
air--whatever. If the problem with groups still exists I would start by
riding with one horse, then 2..... and make them the same horses at
first and then enlarge her horizons. Just a suggestion and it's worth
giving her a chance--  heaven knows what her background has been unless
the previous owner will level with you and knows all her experiences on
trail. Not all Arabs are schizoid-- my kids learned to ride on a green
broke, pregnant 4 year old mare---I've mentioned her before--Celebrian.
She baby-sat them and she was just a "child" herself.
Arabs may take more patience at times, due to their intelligence and
sensitivity, but I'll tell you, you win over their trust and they won't
let you down. I've ridden and loved all breeds of horses since I could
walk and the Arab is my favorite--- a partner.
Bette
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of TLA Halynov
http://www.stormnet.com/~woa
I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it
gets to the end, the faster it goes. Smell the roses!

Terri L Odor wrote:
> 
> I need a little encouragement right now.  If anybody feels like being a
> good Samaritan, make my day.  I have said this before, but just to
> reiterate, I am the one who is used to Fox Trotters.   That is the type
> of horse I have always ridden, but I have recently purchased an Arab
> mare.  I genuinely love her personality here at home and find that she is
> easy to ride around our place.  She had done two 50-milers when I bought
> her over a month ago.  Being that I bent the axil on my trailer and have
> not had wheels, I have not attended any rides with her yet (at this point
> I am just referring to trail rides with friends.).  However, today was
> gorgeous for a Feb day, and I opted to lead her about a mile from here
> and ride with a group of friends.  Keep in mind, this is the first time I
> have ridden her in a group.  Well, she really freaked me out.  First of
> all, she just kept kind of twirling and making it difficult for me to get
> on. Then I finally got to mount (probably unsafely) and she just started
> dancing and prancing and going sideways and ignoring me altogether it
> seemed.  I could feel the power underneath me - she wanted to run it felt
> like to me, and I had a hackamore on her.  Honestly, I think I am just
> not used to Arabians perhaps.  I wonder, did she think we were in an
> endurance race?  She acted like a whole different horse in a group.  I
> tried to relax and get her to relax, but felt it was unsafe,so I
> dismounted, told my friends it was not working out and went home.  On
> foot, leading her as I was fearful of riding her at that point and
> especially AWAY from the others.  At least when we got back home I did
> put a snaffle on her, remount, and rode her around here for about two
> hours.  She still acted weird and disobedient, but I circled her etc.,
> determined to not let her get the best of me.  It ended on a good note,
> as I felt I had finally obtained alpha at that point.  However, now I
> just cannot image riding in a group with her - which is what I WANT to do
> with her.  Why are Arabs so different from other horses?   What kind of
> attitude do I need with her?  Sorry to sound so needy.  Guess I'm just
> feeling a little disappointed at this time. Thanks  - Terri
> 
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