Posted 2015-10-22 5:08 PM Subject: Finishing a Prospect??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 382
Hi!! I have been working on the pattern for a while on my mare (2 years) and I think she is ready to be finished. She is loping the pattern pretty consistently. She needs a little more work but is good at the rodeos (the ground isn't the best at home). Any tips?? Thanks!!
Posted 2015-10-23 10:04 AM Subject: RE: Finishing a Prospect??
You get what you give
Posts: 13030 Location: Texas
bite the bullet and ask for more speed and then back off if she makes mistakes. you have to let them make mistakes and learn from it or they will slow lope the pattern their whole life.
When you speed them up, let them make the mistake and then just correct it without making a big deal out of it. They need to get confident and if you are always picking and poking at them they won't.
Posted 2015-10-23 11:20 AM Subject: RE: Finishing a Prospect??
Expert
Posts: 1525
I dont really consider "finished" anything other than what I "call" a horse that is trained, solid, and seasoned. But I never rode a horse and said "ok, its time for you to be finished"....its just a term I used when I dont have to do any training on one, i dont need exhibitions, and I can just run them in somewhere and them do their job.
Posted 2015-10-23 2:12 PM Subject: RE: Finishing a Prospect??
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
we must be misunderstanding -- but to me I don't dictate when a horse is finished, it's more like "holy crap! I think they are finished?!"
And then " wait.. nope, nevermind" LOL
You do have to ratchet up the speed and it may not be so pretty but that's the only way to see what is there.
Posted 2015-10-23 4:43 PM Subject: RE: Finishing a Prospect??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 382
Thank you for your replies!! Sorry for the confusion- when I said finished, I meant get her solid on the pattern. She is ready for the next step. Thanks again!!
Posted 2015-10-24 11:37 AM Subject: RE: Finishing a Prospect??
A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094 Location: Southern Oregon
I have been in the same boat. My ground at home isn't the greatest and hauling out sometimes is impossible due to my monster or a two year old son.lol... So I started back with lessons with one of my trainer friends. It has given my filly and myself the PUSH we really needed. Alot of my issues with her on the pattern were caused by her getting bored from me not asking for speed.
Finishing a Prospect??
