advice

[HorseCrazyGurl!]

Hi! I'm new to the horse owning business! I got a 9 year old Arab mare last year but she was just trained and then put out in a field for awhile! When I got her she was fully ridable just a bit spirited! I really want to go on trail rides and hacks withg her but I'm not sure if she'll ever be calm enough for it! My intrsuctor says she's like a 2 year old because she had very little riding experience! I know she's willing to do what I want but I'm not sure if she'll ever be ready! Does anyone have any advice for me? I just need someone who can relate!!! I feel as though I'm the only person on earth who has a spirited horse that you can't just go riding out to the field with!!!! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!

[ANDY]

Hi HorsecrazyGurl

When I first got my Arabian Purebred Gelding "ANDY" He had been rested in a paddock for two years and not riden because he was recovering from stringhalt. During this time the previous owners just treated him like a house hold pet and he was spoilt rotten.

When I bought him and tried riding he was ok at first but then became spirited and lazy at the same time and wanted to be the boss all the time. At one stage after owning him for about 4 months I thought I wasnt getting anywhere and was trying to sell him.

I met a lady who had had the same experience with her Arab and she advised me to stop trying to be boss and try instead to be a friend to him. I started to spend a lot of time grooming him and gradually building up his exercises by walking and lunging him and making sure I was the only one to feed him, but never leaving him with a bad attitude no matter what had happened on the day always leaving on a good note.

Eventually he started to calm down and treat me like an equal. Now he knows I am the one who looks after him and we get along just fine. I wouldnt sell him no matter what now. He even has returned to me to see if I am ok When I have had a fall.

So don't get dispondent if things are not going ok now, It may just take a change of attitude or approach to how you do things with her. You really need to build a bond with your horse, Try to make it fun instead of all hard work.

Hope this gives you some encouragement to keep going with her.

Regards Andy

[HorseCrazyGurl!]

Thanx sooo much!!!! That is reallt good advice! Some of that stuff like lunging,grooming, and pampering i've done already but i can't be there to feed her everyday so i can't be known as "The Bringer Of Food" :( Oh Well I guess I can keep trying and I'll try as hard as I can never to leave on a "Bad Note"! THANX AGAIN for the advice and I'll try some of that stuff! It just takes a lot of patience right? I'm sure I'll get through to her soon!

THANX AGAIN,
HorseCrazyGurl :)