What would you do with him?

[patchesping]

Hi
I've got a 19hh Shire called Rebel. He was never mouthed properly so he is not used to contact
on his mouth and doesn't know how to respond to aids, leg,voice,hand,seat-every aid really. He is
used to wearing a bridle and doesn't seem to have any problems with it and I have been on his
back while someone led him.
What would you do with him? How would you continue his training? I haven't done anything
with him yet as regarding training. Thought i'd get some advice first.
Thanks
Steph

[lamprellsarah]

i would get him used to contact with his mouth and learn about rein contact and voice aids, with long reining.
and also teach him to listen to voice aids by lunging him.
then i would get somone on him, and lunge him with soemone on him, and they should use leg and seat aids, while you use voice aids, so he starts putting 2 and 2 togeather

[Wally]

Yep, I aggree, start lunging him with a bridle on with side reins on LOOSE, gradually get a bit firmer as he gets used to the contact. All the time get him responding to voice commands and reward all his good behaviour the second he responds.

If you and he have a bad day try to ignor high spirits, but be firm and get what you aked for with patience. Punishing a horse will do you no good, positive reward will reap huge benefits.

ONce he knows voice aids get on and use the vioce in conjunction with your leg and hands, he'll soon pick it up.

Do a bit of long reining with him to get him used to steering, get an experienced person on the front to show him what to do. It's in his blood, he'll cotton on no problem. Best of luck with him.

[maverick927]

the best thing that i did to get my pony on the bit was to give him a breaking bit with the keys. He now comes onto contact so quickly and has a soft mouth, whereas befre when i got him from the riding school his mouth was as hard as rock and all he did was bolt.