Putting me to the test

princesskristin · 10-10-2006, 07:00 PM

Hello everyone, as some may know I'm in the process of training my horse Cash and today was a hard day. The flys were horrible, and to top it off Cash wouldnt listen to me at all. He wouldnt move when I asked and he just stopped randomly. Is this something that can happen during training, just standing around staring. I mean I tapped me so many times and something I really kicked but nothing worked. He just stood there. He was making so much progress too, we begun trot work and all. So thats my question, is this normal for youngsters that are just beginning their training.

Sonseeahray's_girl · 10-10-2006, 09:13 PM

Well, I'm no horse training expert, but I will share one opinion with you ...

Horses, like people, can have their bad days. External forces (like annoying, itchy, painful flies) can really rain on the party. Add to that the immaturity of youth, and you are bound to have days when it seems like nothing is going right. And YES horses are like children and will test you sometimes.

My advice is when you can tell that your horse is having a bad day, try doing something else that he IS in the mood for, whatever that might be. That way you won't end up having a battle of wills over bad moods, but will at least do something positive and constructive.

Like, if your horse is feeling super hyper, it might not be the best day to try and teach him to stand for hours. Yes, he will eventually need to learn everything that you want to teach him, but they don't all have to be taught on your particular schedule, or time frame.

Many teachers (of human kids!) like to use "teachable moments" to instill essential knowledge when they see a window of opportunity open up in their students' minds. It may not be what they had "scheduled" for that particular moment, but by being flexible, they often accomplish a lot.

JMO for what it's worth.

Mule Fool · 10-11-2006, 09:55 AM

I've had young horses that will do that and I think it's probably normal for some. First off if the flies are a problem I'd douse him down with some fly spray. Then if he stops, instead of trying to make him go forward, Try to get some movement to the side. Usually once you can get a step to the side they unlock and you can get going again. I wouldn't just keep trying to kick him harder and harder because they just learn to ignore your leg. If he were an older broke horse I might say spank his butt or shoulder, but since it sounds likes he's a baby I don't think it's really disobedience, maybe more confusion or just trying to figure things out. Look for the smallest amount of "try" and reward that. If you're getting frustrated try to find something you know he'll do to end on. That will give him something positive to mull over til his next lesson. good Luck with him.

cowgirlmommy · 10-11-2006, 11:55 AM

Sonseeahray, you have just explained all that beautifully! Great advice and I totally agree 100%! And Kristin, time and consistency as well and a whole lot of patience! Good luck!

**gbarmranch** · 10-11-2006, 12:15 PM

I agree, and if he is under 4, he is a mental teenager - which should explain a lot right there

barnmom · 10-11-2006, 05:43 PM

oh my do we have experience with this, i agree to work on something they want to do if your having a bad day and ALWAYS end on a good note, if it's one step forward and you don't think you'll get much else, stop, move on, but never make it horrible for you or the horse, it can be so frustrating, 3 words, patience, patience, patience

my daughter has been working on the canter for what seems like forever, a little each training day, and he went the other day the whole way down the long side, we both cried and you could tell he was so proud! how rewarding

so keep it up it will happen!

princesskristin · 10-11-2006, 06:49 PM

Thanks everyone, today I moved him to a bigger grass field, and he went all field happy. He was trotting around without me even having to ask. Boy he is either too fast or too slow, Lol. What will I do with him. He is an onry little thing- from hateing baths, to hating spays, and so on. But thanks everyone, I will continue to let you know how is coming along.

10-10-2006, 07:00 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Putting me to the test Hello everyone, as some may know I'm in the process of training my horse Cash and today was a hard day. The flys were horrible, and to top it off Cash wouldnt listen to me at all. He wouldnt move when I asked and he just stopped randomly. Is this something that can happen during training, just standing around staring. I mean I tapped me so many times and something I really kicked but nothing worked. He just stood there. He was making so much progress too, we begun trot work and all. So thats my question, is this normal for youngsters that are just beginning their training. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

10-10-2006, 09:13 PM
Sonseeahray's_girl Long Yearling Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,278	Well, I'm no horse training expert, but I will share one opinion with you ... Horses, like people, can have their bad days. External forces (like annoying, itchy, painful flies) can really rain on the party. Add to that the immaturity of youth, and you are bound to have days when it seems like nothing is going right. And YES horses are like children and will test you sometimes. My advice is when you can tell that your horse is having a bad day, try doing something else that he IS in the mood for, whatever that might be. That way you won't end up having a battle of wills over bad moods, but will at least do something positive and constructive. Like, if your horse is feeling super hyper, it might not be the best day to try and teach him to stand for hours. Yes, he will eventually need to learn everything that you want to teach him, but they don't all have to be taught on your particular schedule, or time frame. Many teachers (of human kids!) like to use "teachable moments" to instill essential knowledge when they see a window of opportunity open up in their students' minds. It may not be what they had "scheduled" for that particular moment, but by being flexible, they often accomplish a lot. JMO for what it's worth. __________________ When I ride my horse, my heart is no longer in my chest ... it is between my knees.

10-11-2006, 09:55 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I've had young horses that will do that and I think it's probably normal for some. First off if the flies are a problem I'd douse him down with some fly spray. Then if he stops, instead of trying to make him go forward, Try to get some movement to the side. Usually once you can get a step to the side they unlock and you can get going again. I wouldn't just keep trying to kick him harder and harder because they just learn to ignore your leg. If he were an older broke horse I might say spank his butt or shoulder, but since it sounds likes he's a baby I don't think it's really disobedience, maybe more confusion or just trying to figure things out. Look for the smallest amount of "try" and reward that. If you're getting frustrated try to find something you know he'll do to end on. That will give him something positive to mull over til his next lesson. good Luck with him.

10-11-2006, 11:55 AM
cowgirlmommy Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia! Posts: 1,459	Sonseeahray, you have just explained all that beautifully! Great advice and I totally agree 100%! And Kristin, time and consistency as well and a whole lot of patience! Good luck! __________________ "The only way to begin again, is to first forget..." Colonel Francis Clay Mosby

10-11-2006, 12:15 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,570	I agree, and if he is under 4, he is a mental teenager - which should explain a lot right there __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

10-11-2006, 05:43 PM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,876	oh my do we have experience with this, i agree to work on something they want to do if your having a bad day and ALWAYS end on a good note, if it's one step forward and you don't think you'll get much else, stop, move on, but never make it horrible for you or the horse, it can be so frustrating, 3 words, patience, patience, patience my daughter has been working on the canter for what seems like forever, a little each training day, and he went the other day the whole way down the long side, we both cried and you could tell he was so proud! how rewarding so keep it up it will happen!

10-11-2006, 06:49 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Thanks everyone, today I moved him to a bigger grass field, and he went all field happy. He was trotting around without me even having to ask. Boy he is either too fast or too slow, Lol. What will I do with him. He is an onry little thing- from hateing baths, to hating spays, and so on. But thanks everyone, I will continue to let you know how is coming along. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.