ND3canAddict - 2016-01-29 9:52 AM

If you really love her, do you have somewhere to send her where she could have a real job?  Like feedlot, ranch, etc?  Not to be tortured, just to do an honest day's work, get tired, learn patience and work ethic?  If you love her, that's definitely where I'd go with her.  A 10 hour day of finding and moving cows tends to encourage them to be less reactive (meaning OVER reactive) and teaches them to save their energy for a long day.

If you are thinking you don't like her, I'd cut my losses now.  In my old age, if I decide I don't like them, they are gone, even if they're really nice and have all the potential in the world. 

run n rate - 2016-01-29 2:17 PM

My little mare CC was always what everyone called fragile minded, even Ed Wright would ask "hows your fragile minded mare doing?" WAsn't until she got hurt in 2011 at 8 years of age, fractured her patella and we spent literally 10 months on the ground handwalking on flat ground, then over cavelettis, then up hills, then ponying her for the last 2 months of that time that I realized she is not fragile minded at all but really did process thing completely differently than any thing else I'd ever ridden. She was terrified of being in trouble, got scared of being scared, obsessed over everything, the dog, the rope, the butterflies. When she'd get scared she would try the flight mode, when you pulled on her to keep her from fleeing, if you grabbed her face with both reins and got your legs into her she flat broke in half as in her mind you you were stopping her forward movement with your hands yet your legs were telling her go and she had one way to go and that was up. The 10 months on the ground with her was the best thing that ever happened, I figured her mind out and realized how hard she really was trying to absorb the lessons but she was also scared the whole time that she was going to be wrong and it came out as her being bi-polar where really it was more a Type A personality with a side ofADHD. Once we got that figured out and I changed my approach to how we went about things and she has been a rock star for the most part since.

teebluesage - 2016-01-29 2:30 PM

Glad to hear someone who barrel races would be interested in a shining spark bred horse. I've got a daughter of twice as shiney ( son of shining spark) who I've bred to my Frenchmans Guy stud. The filly will be a year old this spring. She's a sweetie with people, but I can tell she has ambitions of being a future boss mare with the other horses. She seems like she will be quick to react and sensitive, probably not going to be a dead head. I think she will be fun to ride.

ND3canAddict - 2016-01-29 2:55 PM

Not saying this is the case with anyone here, but sometimes riders work way too hard to "get around" a fragile minded horse, and they end up worse.  That's why I think a real, blue-collar job is the best bet.  They have to focus on the task at hand.  They have to work through getting tired.  They have to figure out how to deal with their "disability."  If the rider is patient, but firm and helps them focus and gain confidence, the might always defaut to being sensitive, but they have some life-skills built up to function.  Plus, if they've worked for a living, they might find barrel racing to be a pleasant reward- rather than stressful.

I had a mare that was super sensitive, she'd puff up and want to buck if she was overwhelmed.  I'd squeeze half a buttcheek and she'd be finished with her 4th spin before I could unclench.  Luckily, we ranch in some rough badlands country, so I used her for checking water and moving pairs in 17,000 acres.  The first few days weren't fun for either of us, but I loved her, so I kept taking her.  Most of what we did was power walking up and down hills on a loose rein- for hours on end.  After a couple of weeks, and a lot of tight spots, she learned that it was easier to relax and wait for a command than over-react 9000 times a day.  On the off days, we'd work the barrels for a little bit and she'd get pampered.  If she'd get wadded up, we'd get past it by doing "brain engage" drills like half-passing, hip yields, etc- but it was never a big deal.  Once the wad cleared, we'd carry on like nothing happened.  I'm sure no one gives a hoot about this story, but the moral is:  She turned out to be a ton of fun.  Once she quit wigging out, I allowed compromises with her.  I chose my battles, and we understood each other.  In addition to becomming a pretty decent barrel horse, she was also my very favorite ranch horse.  She still had her quirks, but we understood and trusted each other.  

ND3canAddict - 2016-01-30 12:55 PM

Not saying this is the case with anyone here, but sometimes riders work way too hard to "get around" a fragile minded horse, and they end up worse.  That's why I think a real, blue-collar job is the best bet.  They have to focus on the task at hand.  They have to work through getting tired.  They have to figure out how to deal with their "disability."  If the rider is patient, but firm and helps them focus and gain confidence, the might always defaut to being sensitive, but they have some life-skills built up to function.  Plus, if they've worked for a living, they might find barrel racing to be a pleasant reward- rather than stressful.

I had a mare that was super sensitive, she'd puff up and want to buck if she was overwhelmed.  I'd squeeze half a buttcheek and she'd be finished with her 4th spin before I could unclench.  Luckily, we ranch in some rough badlands country, so I used her for checking water and moving pairs in 17,000 acres.  The first few days weren't fun for either of us, but I loved her, so I kept taking her.  Most of what we did was power walking up and down hills on a loose rein- for hours on end.  After a couple of weeks, and a lot of tight spots, she learned that it was easier to relax and wait for a command than over-react 9000 times a day.  On the off days, we'd work the barrels for a little bit and she'd get pampered.  If she'd get wadded up, we'd get past it by doing "brain engage" drills like half-passing, hip yields, etc- but it was never a big deal.  Once the wad cleared, we'd carry on like nothing happened.  I'm sure no one gives a hoot about this story, but the moral is:  She turned out to be a ton of fun.  Once she quit wigging out, I allowed compromises with her.  I chose my battles, and we understood each other.  In addition to becomming a pretty decent barrel horse, she was also my very favorite ranch horse.  She still had her quirks, but we understood and trusted each other.  

zansbeunogal_2268 - 2016-01-29 10:42 AM

This could just be my frustration talking, but when do you call it quits and move on, she aint gonna make you a barrel horse??

I bought this Filly last fall, she is cowbred on the top shining spark/Docs Jack Frost and Captial Flight and Streakin La Jolla on the mares side.

I know the full history on this Filly, she was mostly left untouched till i got her, I sent her away to my trainers and then i got her back.

and I have taken her to the vets, I have her on omeprazole just as a precaution and to ensure she does not have ulcers. she is in great shape, shiny slick coat, nice round back and perfect shape! shes on a great feed program.

but here's my problem with her, even since the trainers he couldn't get by her, and I've been riding her steady and I'm just working on getting her quiet and to be able to lope/trot a cirlce without losing her mind!

I have never had a horse this fragile minded, she is by far the most athletic horse I've stepped foot on, she is so quick and catty on her feet, but some days a roll back is too much for her to handle. I am a quiet rider, too quiet most times, she has never been beaten or pushed too hard by anyone in her life, but for some reason her mind is just wanting to be 50 steps ahead of me.

she is 5 this year and nominated up, but I know that dream is out the window, she would be fried if I pushed her! we have a nice little amateur rodeo association up here and Ideally that would be my goal with her, but when she crawls out of her skin when I brush her with my spur I don't know if its gonna happen

In the last months my big accomplishments with her are being able to lope a cirlce with her picking up the correct lead and having her nice and relaxed. she is dramatic, if I ask her to stop shes making 11's even if i ask her at a walk, if i ask her to move her shoulders she drops and spins to far, Im just asking for a step or too. I know these arnt bad traits to have, but her mind is just so fragile.

is it worth it to me to keep taking her slow and hoping one day shes gonna be able to handle being pushed, going to rodeos? or should I be thinking about letting her go. I know this post doesn't sound like shes hard to get by, but I cant explain it better.

has anyone gotten by a fragile minded horse? or are they always stuck in their way?

cow pie - 2016-01-29 3:16 PM You have some good advice. I would pull off the grain let her come off her high. Leave the spurs in the barn. Load up and head out on the trails. Do all the things you would do in an arena. Just do it quietly and calmly. In a months time you should have the answer to your question.Should she stay or should she go.Good luck with your decision.

ND3canAddict - 2016-01-29 2:55 PM Not saying this is the case with anyone here, but sometimes riders work way too hard to "get around" a fragile minded horse, and they end up worse.  That's why I think a real, blue-collar job is the best bet.  They have to focus on the task at hand.  They have to work through getting tired.  They have to figure out how to deal with their "disability."  If the rider is patient, but firm and helps them focus and gain confidence, the might always defaut to being sensitive, but they have some life-skills built up to function.  Plus, if they've worked for a living, they might find barrel racing to be a pleasant reward- rather than stressful.



I had a mare that was super sensitive, she'd puff up and want to buck if she was overwhelmed.  I'd squeeze half a buttcheek and she'd be finished with her 4th spin before I could unclench.  Luckily, we ranch in some rough badlands country, so I used her for checking water and moving pairs in 17,000 acres.  The first few days weren't fun for either of us, but I loved her, so I kept taking her.  Most of what we did was power walking up and down hills on a loose rein- for hours on end.  After a couple of weeks, and a lot of tight spots, she learned that it was easier to relax and wait for a command than over-react 9000 times a day.  On the off days, we'd work the barrels for a little bit and she'd get pampered.  If she'd get wadded up, we'd get past it by doing "brain engage" drills like half-passing, hip yields, etc- but it was never a big deal.  Once the wad cleared, we'd carry on like nothing happened.  I'm sure no one gives a hoot about this story, but the moral is:  She turned out to be a ton of fun.  Once she quit wigging out, I allowed compromises with her.  I chose my battles, and we understood each other.  In addition to becomming a pretty decent barrel horse, she was also my very favorite ranch horse.  She still had her quirks, but we understood and trusted each other.  

Dinero10 - 2016-02-01 7:36 AM I liked your story  

ND3canAddict - 2016-01-29 2:55 PM Not saying this is the case with anyone here, but sometimes riders work way too hard to "get around" a fragile minded horse, and they end up worse.  That's why I think a real, blue-collar job is the best bet.  They have to focus on the task at hand.  They have to work through getting tired.  They have to figure out how to deal with their "disability."  If the rider is patient, but firm and helps them focus and gain confidence, the might always defaut to being sensitive, but they have some life-skills built up to function.  Plus, if they've worked for a living, they might find barrel racing to be a pleasant reward- rather than stressful.



I had a mare that was super sensitive, she'd puff up and want to buck if she was overwhelmed.  I'd squeeze half a buttcheek and she'd be finished with her 4th spin before I could unclench.  Luckily, we ranch in some rough badlands country, so I used her for checking water and moving pairs in 17,000 acres.  The first few days weren't fun for either of us, but I loved her, so I kept taking her.  Most of what we did was power walking up and down hills on a loose rein- for hours on end.  After a couple of weeks, and a lot of tight spots, she learned that it was easier to relax and wait for a command than over-react 9000 times a day.  On the off days, we'd work the barrels for a little bit and she'd get pampered.  If she'd get wadded up, we'd get past it by doing "brain engage" drills like half-passing, hip yields, etc- but it was never a big deal.  Once the wad cleared, we'd carry on like nothing happened.  I'm sure no one gives a hoot about this story, but the moral is:  She turned out to be a ton of fun.  Once she quit wigging out, I allowed compromises with her.  I chose my battles, and we understood each other.  In addition to becomming a pretty decent barrel horse, she was also my very favorite ranch horse.  She still had her quirks, but we understood and trusted each other.  

just4fun - 2016-02-01 8:50 AM I'm so glad to read your posts again! You are so knowledgeable and full of insight! Glad you came back   Your little mare was a rockstar! You did a super job bringing her along to her full potential. I wish I were half the horsewoman!

I would consider mine <----- somewhat fragile-minded.  Although we never made it in the barrel pen (unrelated issues), she has turned into the very best kids horse b/c of it! She is sensitive and kind, and smart enough in her older years to know that she doesn't have to work hard with my daughter on her.

Pocob - 2016-02-01 9:18 AM I had a really nice Shining Spark mare on consignment in 2015. She had 90 days of barrels on her, but she needed to learn how to be a horse and gain confidence.  I didn't have her look at a barrel the entire time I had her.  We just worked on teaching her to be a confident horse. It took me a lot of time. She put in 8 to 10 hour days standing tied, being rode, etc. The girl that ended up with her adores her and took my advice on continuing her training and she is thriving.



When I get ones like this in I may "cheat" a little to get their focus and attention by giving them a THE calming cookie or something else.  Sometimes it saves me months of working with them.  We become a team and they learn to lean on me for more confidence.  



I like to get horses when they are ready to "finish" and teach them about putting their big boy/girl panties on to hit the road.  I work on exposing them to everything at the house and spending hours at the trailer, in the arena, in the pasture, or just me sitting with them, they have flying objects across the arena (thanks to the Oklahoma wind). . music, etc.  If they're not with the herd. . I am the herd.   



You probably need to take those spurs off too.  Strip down to the basics and go from there.  You can do it.

 

mollibtexan - 2016-01-31 11:57 PM

Cut your losses move on get something different. The second you add pressure you will be fighting an uphill battle.

zansbeunogal_2268 - 2016-02-02 7:31 AM heres a couple pics of her just to see what I'm dealing with lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD0l96uMI5Y



Thats a little crazy, she looks just like my "crazy" one...

SmokinGirlie - 2016-02-02 12:42 PM

My 'fragile mind' mare is a bay also  

I can ride her no problem, she is a work aholic. But she had some issues with her health that makes her really leery of people.  Blah. 

RodeoCowgirl4u - 2016-01-29 2:26 PM

I also have a Shining Spark...and this seems to be the case with them. However, mine is older and when I got her I am now the 8th owner on her registration papers. got in contact with one of her old owners as well as looking up her name. Did the cutting futurities at 3, didn't make the "cut," got sent to a barrel horse trainer and did barrel futurities at 5. Now she's even more blown out and got sent to a team roper...some more people, and then my friend who sold her to me cheap because I was the only person who could stay on her.

it took me 3 months just to get this horse to stand still while riding. Seriously. We would saddle up, go into the arena and stand there doing nothing for 15 minutes. She would flip her head, fidget, swing her hips, and dance in place the whole time and I would just have to sit there and pet her. Barrels and poles were out of the question as she would go NUTS if they were even in an arena. Now I have had her 2 years, and after lots of trail rides and just hanging out, we have won the 4D with me not pushing her and just kind of taking it easy as she is a true free runner.

I have learned that for this type of horse you CAN'T get angry or frustrated as you may as well just get off. You have to be quiet yet firm in the fact that their "hotness" won't get them out of doing something. You just have to stop, let them settle, and go back to it. Even if it takes a while. Of course, like someone else said, if you don't have this kind of time it would be best to send her on down the road to someone who has more time. She might make an awesome open rodeo horse, but if my mare's story is anything...a futurity will probably blow her out completely. Just my $0.02