Re: RC: Saddle Training Snafoo?

["Nancy Mitts" <mitts_n@hotmail.com>]

Susan,
The main thing that struck me was that you had been working on getting him 
to respond to leg pressure. In getting off, your left leg would have 
increased pressure on his side. Therefore, you were cuing him to move, yet 
you were also swinging off balance (which horses try mightily to avoid) and 
he just got confused & paniced.
I haven't watched any training videos, but I have started a lot of young 
horses. I never worry too much about teaching leg yield cues until a young 
horse is comfortable with having leg contact & swinging legs WITHOUT 
reacting. The first thing I work on (especially with someone to lead the 
horse) is going in straight lines & stopping and standing to dismount & 
mount. Make gentle turns without leg cues as the horse is basically 
following the leader.
To get things started back on the ride track I wouldn't dilly dally around 
the mounting process. Mount as quickly as possible, then have your leader 
guide the horse around while you sit quietly till you get what you call 
"green light". Stop the horse, praise & pet. Slowly swing a leg gently back 
& forth, while asking him to stand. It might help if you can have him near a 
wall where he can't move away. At some point when he seems relaxed just get 
off. Don't make a big deal if he's still somewhat upset. Ask him to do 
something while you're on the ground so you end on a good note.
If you can stay relaxed I'm sure you can get the horse over this.
Nancy Mitts



>dismount. The other times I've done this he stood well, this time he
>decides to start spinning as my leg comes across...I'm sure I didn't
>touch his rump on the way down.
>
>Anyway, my 10 yo is waiting to get on and see what he's like. Dandy
>refuses to stand next to the mounting box. We go round and round with
>him for 30 miuntes or so with no avail. Sarah gets her foot in the
>stirrup and a soon as she pulls on the saddle a little to pull up he
>starts the ole spin rountine.
>I had other obligations this evening.
>
>I probably should have stopped when he wouldn't let Sarah on, but I felt
>he would have had his way if I had just stopped. He gave us all green
>lights until I dismounted, then all we could get was red lights. Maybe I
>did nick him w/my foot on the way down? I don't what else could have
>done it. Either that or he was just overloaded after my 20-30 minutes on
>him and couldn't deal with it any more.
>
>Any and all reasonable critique and suggestions will be greatly
>appreciated.
>
>I hope I haven't ruined this sweet horse. HELP! Please.
>
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Susan and the Dandy horse
>
>
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