Finding holes in your horse's training

[lisae]

Whew, rode a bolt and a buck, did a one-rein stop and lived to tell the tale! I'm determined this year to get my mare and myself off our lard butts and doing something on a regular basis. Tonight was a glorious evening, and i decided to ride out (instead of drive the car) and bring the husband dinner in the field (he's planting corn). Guess what - pony does not like having a sack of sandwiches handed to the rider! Pony thinks crinkly plastic bags are trying to kill her, and the rider sat the bolt and the buck before having the wits to drop the bag.

Here's what I perceive as the problem: I got Monday when she was four. Her first spring and summer she had a foal at her side, and we did some carting nevertheless but no riding. Since then she has had another foal and done very little. I've had her out of the field about ten times in four years. :o Is it safe to say she has the mind of a four year old and should be treated accordingly?

I had to stuff the sandwiches into my jacket pockets and forego the drink. I did ride out even though she was still excited and I managed to calm her enough to go at our usual walk. However, just like last week, she neighed a LOT. Like, constantly, and we weren't on a route near other horses.

What do other folks do about this? Ignore it? Scold the horse? Talk her down? I ended up talking to her but I don't know if it helped.

Maybe I should give up trail riding until she's a little more "mature". I was led to believe she was 100% trained by the last owner, who did demo her on a long trail drive without incident. Maybe the blinders helped?

[lisae]

PS I also rode her through two spins for home, and two motorcycle 'panic attacks' On the third motorcycle, I told her (out loud) to stop overreacting and get on with it! and she stayed in the same gait and didn't jump.

I was totally unaware of how much support she needs when out and about.

[Tootsie4U]

To be very honest, I think you both handled it well (both this week and last). She did get a bit fizzy but she calmed down and was reasonably well enough focused for the remainer of your rides and that says alot about her and about you're bond with her. Each time, you were able to calm her down enough to finish your ride in success. Thats the goal.

I think the more you do it, the more routine it'll become and the less you'll experince these types of episodes. You're very lucky she goes out alone at all! A lot of horses dont. Exposure is the key here I think, not necessarily training. Did she obey the one rein stop?

[kedwards]

From what you wrote, yes, I think it's safe to say she has the training (if not the mind) of a 4 year-old.

I agree with Tootsie, it sounds like you handled it reasonably well. She hasn't had much training and hasn't been exposed to much under saddle, so scolding isn't likely to help much at this point, as she won't likely understand what you are scolding her for and it may just make her even more tense.

[galadriel]

That's a lot of time with no work. Even the most bombproof, pushbutton, reliable horse will get a little rusty if you don't take him out and polish up his training once in a while.

But the more you do, the more she'll remember, and the more comfortable she'll get with the idea :)

[helenc]

echo the others - treat her as a baby horse for now. The more you can get her out & about the better she will be.

As far as the neighing goes - she is probably nervous about being away from the others & is calling out to see if she gets a response. Talking to her is good - she needs to realise that she is not alone, you are with her & you will look after her.