A bit naughty or just coincidence?

[Sonia]

Hi All,
It's certainly true that the relationship with your horse can go up and down. Ellie and I had a fabulous ride out last Sunday with another lady from our stables - 2.5 hours in all. However, this week so far she's been a bit of a Miss!!

On Tuesday (which ok was a bit more windy than some days), it took about 8-10 tries to get her to stand at the mounting block before she didn't backup, side step, etc. I eventually managed to get on and was determined not to get cross! When I did manage to get on we did nearly a whole circuit on trot interspersed with bucks! Luckily this time I managed to stay on. We then rode ok in the arena.

Today I went to see her at lunch-time and went to catch her (ok it had just started to rain which she's not keen on) and we played "catch me if you can" for 5 minutes or so, until I remembered what Mark Rashid had said re catching horses - so I stopped, waited 'till she looked at me and the took a step back, she then turned right round towards me, and I took another step backwards. She looked at me and moved forwards - so you've guessed it - I stepped back again. We then looked at each other for a minute or so, then I gently went to pet her and got the headcollar on.

I was told that eventually she would "try it on" and I know many people advice would be to "show her who's boss" and "give her a smack" but I just don't feel this is the right way to go about this. Am I being too sensitive - ie are these things just a coincidence or is she really "sussing"! me out?

What have you found with your own horses? Have they done anything like this? If so how did you get over this?

I find it difficult to deal with these issues as I am used to horses which are really 110% in stables, ground manners etc and don't really enjoy having to deal with these issues.


Please help - advice and encouragement are welcomed

Sonia

[Edited by Sonia on 5th Oct 2000 at 09:20 PM]

[Sharon H]

How old is she and how long have you had her? I have a 5 yr old Welsh Cob and he has his 'days', particulary if it's windy. I don't think she's trying you out and I certainly don't think you should start 'showing her who's boss' or giving her a smack. The best thing you can do is to be consistant and patient.These little quirks of personality are what makes us love the beasts after all! Would you really want a completely boring horse that never showed any spark of personality? The two incidents you have described don't sound too bad, are you having other problems with her?Is this the first time she has bucked when you have ridden? Have you had teeth, back and saddle checked? Could she be in season? Do you normally ride in company, perhaps she doesn't like going out on her own? When you go to catch her, is it always to ride? Perhaps she has started to equate being caught with work? Have you heard of Monty Robert's join-up technique? This is a brilliant way of establishing a relationship with your horse. Sorry to fire so many questions at you, it's difficult to answer questions when you don't know all the details isn't it?

[Jo Haworth]

Hi Sonia

Hope you are ok? I am the one with Markie, the horse that went to see the lady with the Monty Roberts certificate! Well just to let you know, that Markie has his good and bad days. When he first came back he was very well behaved, it started to go off a bit as time went on, mainly I think because, I cannot ride him every day. Anyway, he now tries to bite you again, on and off depending on his mood. I took him out the other day and he was fine. Then I took him out today and he ran away with me, full pelt towards the farm gate. Luckily my riding is better and I stay in my seat which is a mercy. I think it is a pain, as I am used to well schooled horses as well, but you have to go with it, and hope that at the end you will be a better rider, and with such a baptism of fire, you will be able to ride anything! Good luck with your horse and I will keep you informed about my terror on four legs!

[Sonia]

Sharon H
Here are the answers to your questions - Ellie is 5 and I have had here about 8 weeks. She has bucked me off once before - that was about 4-5 weeks ago. We don't any other behaviour problems. Here back and saddle are fine - I need to get her teeth checked - we've done everthing else since I bought her! It is possible she could be in season, but it's not too easy to tell with her.

She isn't bomb-proof in traffic and the road we must go on is so busy I go out in company. I don't always catch her to ride - sometimes I just groom or will lunge her. I have heard of "join-up" but wouldn't really know how to go about it. Ellie is going to see Kelly Marks in 2 weeks and we hopefully will get some pointers then.

Hi Jo
Great to hear from you. Why do you thing Markie is variable in his behaviour? Is it the weather or the amount of exercise ? Could you take him back to see the lady with the monty Robert Cerificate? Did she show you any tips and techniques so you knew how to handle him ?

As I get older I definately realise my own mortality more! When I was a teenager I wouldn't have been bothered about falling off etc but I know better now! Reading an article in Your Horse I think I managed to scare myself more! Apparently rider are the 2nd highest donors of organs after Motorcyclists (maybe we are more inclined to carry the cards!)

Keep me informed as to how Markie does Jo - I'm interested to know

Sonia

[Jo Haworth]

Sonia


I think you are right, the older you get the more cautious you become. When I think back to how I was when I was younger, I would ride anything and not give a damn. Now I worry, what will happen if i fall and seriously hurt myself!?

Markie, has definatley gone a wee bite backwards since he came back from Heidi. I think it is because I don't get to ride him every day as she did, and also she is an experienced horse trainer, I am not and I think Markie knows this. I have got to say in his defence he has only been broken for less than a year, so bless him he is very green, unfortunatley so am I and it is a bit of a combination! I would not however dream of selling him, cos every aggressive move he makes, is defensive, as he was prior to the person i got him off, an abused horse, and was going to be sold for meat. I keep telling him when he is naughty, he would make a good burger!!

I too am off to see Kelly Marks, for some helpful tips, let me know how you go!

love
Jo

[Sharon H]

If you are interested in Kelly Marks' methods, have a look at her website, http://www.montyroberts.co.uk There is a very good discussion group on it and all sorts of other interesting bits and pieces.
Sonia, I would say, go with your instincts. She is a young horse and you haven't had her long. It takes time to build a relationship as you probably already know and I'm sure that you will gain a lot from seeing Kelly in action. I would rather take the softly-softly approach and have a horse that liked and respected me, than one who only complies with my wishes because it is frightned of being hit, ignore the people in your yard, you've got another twenty odd years with this mare, make them good ones!