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My comments on the subject:
Please don't forget that you are dealing with a mare. In general,
mares are most definitely out for # 1, and #1 is rarely the rider! A mare's
prime natural purpose is to rear young and, in order to do this
successfully, she must be able to avoid danger, hence her watchfulness.
If you can keep in mind the above as being possible underlying
reasons for some of your problems, a mare can be enjoyable -- but the most
you will likely get is a constantly arbitrated partnership.
I think you will be more likely to find a gelding more likely to be
that willing partner who listens for your every wish.
I have a mare somewhat like yours, although I learned early on that
I wanted to be the SENIOR partner. We still debate, but I will tell you
this, the mare is not boring.
However, if you want to keep improving your horsemanship, don't be
too quick to give up on your mare!!
My "other" horse sport is dressage and I joke that I'd never waste a
dressage entry fee on my mare. However, I can tell you that I do as well as
I do in the dressage ring with my gelding because I practice at home with
the mare.
She also happens to be an excellent long distance horse, once I got
"tough" and quit listening to her moan and groan, "The trailers are over
there, you just took the wrong turn, this is stupid, I could be eating
grass, etc., etc."
MUCH as I'd love to be able to ride her with subtlety and have my
mare respond intuitively, I am accustomed to the need ot having a short
"attitude adjustment" early in a riding session. I notice that I have to do
less and less to convince "Miss Sweetness" to see things my way.
Just try to be herd boss -- you might enjoy the results!
Any comments from the rest of the group?
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