how to make one stubborn horse GO!!!

[ponytude]

May I ask how to make a STUBBORN horse go? I mean really get into a working trot? This horse will trot really really slow(feels like your ageing by the minute). The instructor showed me how to get him to move(hes never been like this b4) but after she left he didnt responed.

[virtuallyhorses]

By rewarding any effort to go forward. Horses don't generally decide to be stubborn or lazy instead they react to their experiences.

Make sure that you don't ride with the brake on - ie release your hands forward when you ask for trot. Make sure that you don't over use your leg aids and don't lose your balance or grab at the reins if the horse does go forward. Ask for forward movement and reward anything no matter how small at first - that means your aids cease so that the horse knows it did the right thing - if there is no response at all, the leg aid is given more urgently and if there is still no response, a tap with the whip.

Try lots of transitions up into trot, remembering to reward every tiny effort that the horse puts in, then when the horse goes forward into trot nicely use the same technique to ask for 'more trot' - again remembering to reward (and don't worry if the horse decides to canter - at first you just want the horse to repond to the forward aid).

[ponytude]

Thanks!!! I didnt end up riding that horse this lesson but he pulled the same stunt. He was in stall rest for over a month about a month ago. He is just really chubby right now. Sorry I said more above but it must of got cut off. THANKYOU!!!

PONYTUDE

[virtuallyhorses]

You'll also find with school horses that many of them will not react unless you give the correct aids - its very frustrating :( but an effective way to learn to ride :)

Even as you advance the teachers will put you on horses that are more and more pompous :D you'll find that even if you're leg is out by a cm or your weight aids are wrong these schoolmasters will simply put on their best bored\annoyed face and pretend total ignorance until you get it right (or your instructor gets on). Its one of the great "joys" of riding to be put in your place :D

[welshie girl]

Virtually horses,

Your post made me laugh, I bought a riding school horse and you have described her exactly, she will not move unless the aid is correct.