Update on Rebel my naughty mare

[iris_surreal_euphoria]

Some time has passed since I've posted about Rebel, my mare that has been hard to handle under the saddle.

Well we've been working alot on our relationship. I'm happy to report her ground manners have improved even more. I can poor feed, back her up and make her wait with just a motion of my hand. On the lunge we can walk, trot and whoa all by positon of the crop. She yeilds her hindquarter, shoulders and will back up with just a little touch. She has even learned to nod yes and count with her feet. She is so smart. We are very close and I could never part with her but....

In the saddle we are still struggling.

I have learned her triggers though. Here's what will happen.

We are merrily going along, nice, relaxed, low head set. She loses momentuem, I cue her on. She listens until she gets bored. Then BAM! she stops, puts her ears back and plants her feet. Sometimes I can redirect her in another direction by turning her,cueing her on then turning her back where we were going. Other times it's so bad that if I continue to cue she will rear. NOT GOOD! I then will dismount and continue lunge work until she is no longer edgy. When she is relaxed and attentive we will then try again. We have good days and bad.

Any advice for me? Yes, I know I need a trainer! I can't find one that is willing to train ME also so I can figure out what I'm doing wrong. I don't want to send her away to anyone. That won't help. She needs to respect me but knows I will dismount now rather than induce a rear.

BTW- she doesn't get off the hook easily when this happens. I put her to work on that lunge line.

[instigatorkate]

First off, is she back-sore/foot-sore at all? Do these episodes happen to coincide with her time of the month?

If you've ruled out physical discomfort as a reason for the behavior, I'd take one of two approaches (or both).

1. I would very gradually increase the time I worked her. I'd try to be super observant and work her up until about 2 minutes before I think she's going to slam on the brakes, then dismount, loosen the girth and go home. The key is to not let her get to the point where she slams on the brakes. Even if you only ride for 5 minutes to start. Most of all you need to make sure each and every ride is sucessful.

2. If you are on her when she slams on the brakes, just wait it out. Don't keep kicking. Just sit quietly with/on her until she's done her hissy fit. As soon as she moves off again, ride for about 30 secs, and dismount. As time goes on, increase the amount of time you ride her after her fit.

Rearing is the one behavior I'm scared of. I try everything is my power to not allow them to get to that point, because once they learn to manipulate you by rearing it's very hard to stop.

[b-mark]

I don't have any advice/ideas for you - but I totally agree with you not wanting to send her out. I had exactly the same issue. Luckily, I HAVE found a trainer who comes HERE and works with me and Mark, who corrects me and shows me what I'm doing wrong.

Good luck!