I considered my options:
Step off, and just put him back in his pen? Doesn't really solve anything, and we'd be stopping in a bad place.
Saddle him and continue riding, even though he was clearly not happy? Would probably end up in a marathon session that would have been better if I had a round pen or arena in my yard.
The third option was to get off and go back to kindergarten, give him something really basic to do that he knows how to do so that we can finish in a good place, but make it challenging enough that he actually engages his brain to think things through.
I chose option 3- and let me tell you, sliding off that horse bareback sure is a lot different than stepping off Beamer! It was a loooong way down!!!
I decided to use the sidepass as my training tool. He can do it very well, so to make it more challenging, I got an 8 ft board for him to step over before sidepassing. But first, I thought I'd longe him a little. Yeah. There was zero slack in that longe line and he was hunting an exit, so I brought him in to 4 feet away from me and just had him move around me a bit until he gave me some slack.
We started off with just stepping over the board and stopping. Of course, he wanted to give me the whole 9 yards and go right over and keep on going.... no Rio, step over with the fronts only, and stop.
So, I think the rest of this week, he is going to get a bunch of ground work, until I can get him soft and respectful in hand before he gets ridden again. Shayla is also going to check to see if he needs any body work, and I have him booked in with the equine dentist, but not for a couple of months, next time he comes through this way.
I want my nice, soft, happy Rio back. This version of him can go away any time.
14 comments:
Obviously you know this horse better than anyone (except maybe Shayla), but it sound to me like a bit of 'baby-tude'. But if it's not, I'm sure you will have him fixed up in no time. :-)
Yeah BEC, I agree, I think he's being like a rebellious teenager right now. Doesn't mean he can get away with it though!
Children! Pfft! :) Testing boundries.
You are brave to get on bareback...I got on my horse bareback for the first time (this past summer), With a chair, (bad idea), I was half way on. When I swung my other leg over - THANK GOODESS THE BARN GATE WAS CLOSED! He went hopping around! But, he settled down and we went to move cows, open gates etc, no prob.
I wish I could ride Trax Bareback.
I keep saying I'm going to (starting in the round pen of course) but then it always takes back seat to teaching those highly important skills like...STOP! LOL
I'm no trainer, but it sure sounds like he is testing.
sounds like he was trying on his big boy tude! Good on you taking him down a notch and making him use his head!
Glad you're keeping on plugging away at it. It may be, since he's so young, that he's just having some trouble processing and integrating all that he's learned - these good stretches followed by all the wheels falling off are pretty typical.
If you just continue presenting yourself to him consistently and with softness, you'll get there.
Everyone gets an attitude now and then! Maybe there's something more that's troubling him?
Rio is so young Shirley, with all the right things you are doing he will resort back to his old self. As you know, colts don't always offer the right answer to every new feeling that presents itself to their young minds & bodies. However I don't know that I wouldn't ride him at all, that's the reward he is looking for. Someone should ride him. With that said, that colty stuff is unpredictable and can be unsafe. Maybe the clinic guy has idea's on teenage behavior? G'luck!
Thanks everyone! Sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. He will get ground work regularly, but will also get ridden at least twice a week, so he isn't getting off work because of his 'tude.
Oh Shirley I do hope you get your my nice, soft, happy Rio back. You are right my Red boots would look good with his nice smooth coat:)I would love that. Good Luck. Hug B
Good luck! One thing I learned and I don't know if you do this, but write down everything that happens, and a week or even a month later you won't believe the actual progress you have made.
Hormones? Might be part of the problem...I wonder what else it could be?
Got pups yet? Soon..I am excited to hear all about them:)
When a horse changes I look at feed and pain first. Generally there is something there to be sorted.
Keechy- that's exactly what we are doing. His feed is straight grass hay, shouldn't be a problem, and Shayla will be checking him over today (she does equine body work) and that's why he's booked with the dentist, I'm sure he's shedding caps, he's the right age.
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