> I have noticed that as a horse "gets into shape", they find that they
> have more energy to shy & be silly. In the beginning of your
> conditioning program, she may have spent most of her energy in just
> moving fown the trail instead of acting silly. If a change in her
> physical condition is ruled out (see Tom Iver's post), then you need to
> visit training issues.
Hi Charlene!
Cato did the same thing the first year or so I had him, plus liked to
grab the bit and either run or fight me for control every step of the
way. The first ride I took him to, I pulled him at first stop because
he would have run himself to death despite my best efforts to slow him
down had I not pulled---plus he was still spooking violently the whole
way, often at a gallop or fast trot, which made staying
on...interesting. What a nightmare, and yes, I admit I shouldn't have
entered him until I had solved the problem. Live and learn.
I ended up finding a dressage trainer who thought is would be fun to
work with an endurance horse---Orthoflex saddle, biothane tack and all.
Funny, in searching for a trainer, it was the "backyard" dressage
trainers that turned up their noses at me, and the trainer who found it
a challenge was one of the tops in the country. Anyway, Cato was with
her for about a year and it was the best money I ever spent. A full
year wasn't necessary to get the control I needed, I was just having too
much fun and was still going to endurance rides while still doing the
dressage. Anyway, Heather had me concentrate on rounding, bending,
yielding to aids, etc., everything he would need on the trail. Not only
did I get the control I needed, it taught me to ride the horse with
every part of my body and place the horse exactly where I wanted him on
the trail. End result, his movement was more efficient, smoother and
safer.
Also, the explosive spooking virtually disappeared because as Heather
explained it to me, horses feel more secure when they are being guided
within a known framework. If he felt it was up to him to deal with
goblins in bushes, he was much more spooky than if he felt his rider
was looking out for him and communicating security and confidence
through the aids. He got used to the continuous reassurance of signals
that told him what to do and so got over the spookiness, replacing it
with it-must-be-OK-cuz-Mom-says-it-is.
Eventually, I stopped having to have my legs on him all the time, as it
was pretty exhausting through a ride, but the framework was still there
and available if some obstacle on the trail caused some insecurity or
fear.
Anyway, too long as usual, but barring physical problems, I think a few
months of dressage work with a good trainer is worth its weight in gold.
Susan Evans