I didn't even know my sponser before starting...being new to the area
and having no connections she agreed to let me ride on the day of the
ride. There is no way I am criticizing her for keeping us in the
back... she was overwhelmingly helpful, patient and I completely
understand and agree with her caution since she didn't know me or my
horse. Of course, her first response was "you need to get a curb bit
in his mouth so he will listen to you".... I believe in Training to get
a horse to listen, not Bits... Mystery needs more training...
I really liked suggestions of practicing with other people to go ahead
and catch up etc from Wendy Milner... I'll be trying this right away
and yes, I agree I've taught him if he acts up he gets his way... This
will be "nipped in the butt" immediately... thank you, thank you.
I also appreciate the great responses of "been there, done that (we all
have)... I also got that from the riding and driving club I was with. I
really thought he was ready for this ... he's been so good! Reality
check.
I wish John Lyons would be out here soon.. I'd go... I've seen many of
his tapes and actually use his techniques but havn't seen any
pertaining to this problem in particular....but he is my horse trainer
hero....
So, next question (I'll try and make this short)....
Mystery has never gone into a full blown buck...I don't want him to
learn he can.... before he reaches that point I make sure to displace
that energy and calm him down and not push.. sometimes a slap on the
side of the neck brings him back, sometimes to make him circle or even
better stand until he calms down.. anything to displace and refocus
the energy in a positive way. Sometimes this means I get off and we
walk back and forth until he calms. By the way, he will do a "baby
buck"...a little hop and this is a good indication the borderline has
been reached.
So, what do you do to hold back the horse to get him to calm down
without him going totally ballistic? Do you dismount and walk him or
lunge him around? What are some of your techniques.
Thanks again everyone...hope this isn't too long!!! Kimberly