Shayla came over yesterday and worked with Coulee. Right off the bat she was crabby- threatening to kick, refusing to move her hip over, basically trying to dominate. And that was just taking her off the hitching rail. So- off to the round pen and some in hand work- tail swishing, glaring, not wanting to whoa, you name it she threw it all in there. Saddled her up, and took the halter off to work her at liberty...... she spent the next 10 minutes galloping around the pen bucking. Not scared bucking- mad bucking. She doesn't buck hard, just hogs around but any buck at a gallop would unseat me. Shayla worked her until she stopped bucking, worked a lot on changes of direction, trying for inside turns (lots of outside turns was what Coulee preferred) and whoa. Took a long time and lots of sweat before she lowered her head and licked her lips and joined up with Shayla. Brave girl- she got on and rode after that, and the riding isn't really an issue with Coulee- which agrees with what I was told about her when I bought her. Shayla pressured her up a bit to see what she would do and she took it all quite well. She quit when she got a really nice whoa.
Today I worked her in the round pen at liberty- no bucking today but lots of attitude.
It took her nearly an hour before she even gave me a few following steps. When I went to rub her forehead she would turn her head away- so got sent out again. Lots of turns into the fence....
Finally made progress and decided against riding her- I wanted to but my husband says no. Next I worked on some liberty moves, getting her to do a correct turn on the haunches. Hand pressure where the leg would go, and held the butt of the stick at her jaw as needed to encourage her to move her front end over. This is a big thing with her because she always wants to keep turning to face you. She also would reach behind instead of across the front of her other leg. We did some hip over/shoulder over combos and called it a day when she got it right.
So the thing about Coulee is her ground manners. Now, horses don't understand the word manners- they just do what horses do which is take care of their personal space. She obviously learned a long time ago that being aggressive gave her what she wanted, both with other horses and with humans. I don't think her previous people did a lot of ground work with her, probably because of her crabbiness. So she is going to learn that people have rules about their personal space too.
Now, I really dislike crabby horses. They can be dangerous to people (especially kids), dogs, and other horses. I am willing to work with this mare on the ground for as long as I own her, which may or may not be a while. I sure hope I can turn her around because she really is a beautiful mare. It is also hard to sell a horse that is such a bitch.
I know of other horses that are like this and have heard it said that they are the best working horses out there. Remember the Hell Bitch from Lonesome Dove? Same idea.
I do have my body work guy coming out tomorrow to work on her and on Beamer, it will be interesting to see what he has to say about her. If all is well, I may send her out for barrel horse training.
What do you think I should do? Keep up on the ground work and hope it will help with her attitude? Sell her open, or bred? Put her in training and then sell?
8 comments:
I'm sorry you are having so much trouble finding a good fit. I'm not a great fit with Hickory either, but at least he's not dangerous. Hard to replace those great horses :-(.
That's a tough choice, too bad such a seemingly good horse has to be like that. I feel bad for horses who were not treated right, kinda like Dee although shes not crabby at all she has no idea about real life as a saddle horse shes just used to being sat on and followed. Partly why Im so picky about buying broke horses that don't come from trainers its there are so many holes. Not that mine are perfect haha but I know what they are like cause its all my fault. I suspect shed be easier to sell as a open riding horse cause they are worth more generally but being crabby sure doesn't help, more groundwork might as well as your bodywork guy might help some too. Might be easier to just get rid of her and start the search over although that sucks too cause no horse to ride this year again.
I don't think she wants to be crabby, but just doesn't feel good - maybe in pain. It will be interesting to see what the bodywork shows. Also, mares that are that crabby can tend to have hormone issues. Sometimes they get out of flux with their heats; it just won't quit. Interesting to see if she took when bred; if not, then maybe... I've know mares that were awful and turned into the sweetest after being put on meds to balance their hormones. Possibility here?
I would also guess she is particularly sensitive and just tries to run away.
All guesses, of course, but she is working awfully hard just to be a crab!
Bionic Cowgirl
Our best mare is crabby, but she does soften up with a little groundwork. I don't know what to think, but it won't hurt to do the groundwork and maybe work on the relationship.
I think Coulee needs some help dealing her issues. Whatever attracted you to her, is still there. If you plan to sell her, I think she will be harder to sell bred. I wouldn't invest in training, unless you plan on keeping her. Soooo sorry you find yourself in this unexpected situation, I know you had high hopes. It's far from the same, but hopefully one of your friends nearby has a solid spare trail horse you can enjoy this season.
Angry cranky mares are no fun. I think there is a better safer horse out there for you. We only ever had mares... two were cranky and had issues and one was a dream:)
SO I am still catching up, but I have to say, I would hang on for a bit.She is a lovely mare to look at and if the crabbiness does not extend to riding,it would be worth it to take the time.I am quite sure, you can bring her around,I have seen you with horses, and simple boundaries and clear expectations are likely just what she needs, and what I know you can provide
I don't have kids, but any horse who is a threat to my dogs is out.
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