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Veteran
Posts: 160
 
| Please read before you tell me how to ride, THIS IS NOT MY HORSE...Currently looking at a horse that I think is a diamond in the rough he has learned to be stiff, hard mouthed and ignore cues from the rider due to the current owner being nervous/beginner rider. I ride very light handed and really use my seat. My question is what are your favorite softening, giving to the bit exercises when reteaching how to be soft and supple. THANKS!!! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | I take everthing off their head go back to begining.A bosal.On lines I drive them.Untill they relax and drive well.I dont make a big deal out of we have to stop right now or turn right now.These horses have been conditioned to react and most are scared.Traped feel.All they want it out of the trap.When you show them its ok its not going to hurt.Because a horse is an animal of flight.When you do anything to them that scares.hurts,surprizes or confuses them Their tendncy is to run,Your is to pull.You pull they push.Then get in a push pull war you cant win.They get scared and run,get aggressive anxious al those come in to the horse.Because they have been pulled on so much.You have to learn to use your feet more.You support your feet with your hands.Have to put confidence in the horse Most of those have none.They never tought what the job was/Tought to think.as a friend of mine said.That horse been trained to death and not tought a thing.
I gp back drive them untill they drive and relax and then get on and most times small pen.Just let them travel.I still want some contro as to the area.Then go to pen and straight to the flag work the flag slowly,walk,trot.stop wait back turn wait. and then a cow.Give them something to think about besides the rider.Let the horse out of the trap let them think.Give them a job that allows them to use their mind.Build their confidence.By letting them out of the trap.Most all of those are a bit hard to catch and when turn them loose they want to get away from you. Theres two ways to reward a horse.Get off.And be still.Rub their mane is for them scratch their neck.Pet them is for you.Set still.Wait let them drop their head lick their lips and take a breath.That means they are relaxed and aggreaing with you.Turn the switch off.Then get off | |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I would just ride the horse in a non-pressure situation. Ask for lots of stops with your seat and/or feet. Offer lots of patting and verbal praise for doing it right. I used a softer bit, 3 piece snaffle, or chain snaffle. Don't set him up in a situation to run away, ride in an enclosed area, but teach him it's not all about force.
Go back to the basics of giving, even in a halter. Give left, right, etc. Maybe start on the ground with treats so he gets the idea he can turn to the girth area without being pulled or yanked around. | |
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 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | A lot of relaxed riding. My newest guy was kinda stiff, very stiff through his neck. And also a little on edge.
Even now, months later, I do a lot of walking circles, making sure he's doing them in perfect body form, the flex eventually comes.
At first, his neck was straight, I didn't pick on him. Slowly, he started giving me more. He would want to tuck (from being ridden in draw reins so much), he finally realized a wanted flex.
He is still stiffer than I prefer, but his turns have improved a lot.
The reason for making sure his body is perfect...in the beginning I could get him to flex his neck, but his butt would swing out. I'd much rather his hind end under him with bend through his body and a straight neck. So we focused on that.
So, my answer in short. Just lots and lots of riding. Hopefully his mouth isn't too far gone. | |
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| I start at a stand still. I ask the horse to break at the pole by holding my hands in one spot and pulling back and holding in one spot (do not tug or pump). My hands are very low almost to my knees. I do a ton of holding pressure and releasing as soon as they give....even if it's a slight give. It's a slow process but it has always worked for me even in older horses. <<<<<<-----My favorite way. Or old school way...tie their head down. I'd use a rope nose training halter to start out.
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| clampitt - 2016-05-03 9:09 AM
I take everthing off their head go back to begining.A bosal.On lines I drive them.Untill they relax and drive well.I dont make a big deal out of we have to stop right now or turn right now.These horses have been conditioned to react and most are scared.Traped feel.All they want it out of the trap.When you show them its ok its not going to hurt.Because a horse is an animal of flight.When you do anything to them that scares.hurts,surprizes or confuses them Their tendncy is to run,Your is to pull.You pull they push.Then get in a push pull war you cant win.They get scared and run,get aggressive anxious al those come in to the horse.Because they have been pulled on so much.You have to learn to use your feet more.You support your feet with your hands.Have to put confidence in the horse Most of those have none.They never tought what the job was/Tought to think.as a friend of mine said.That horse been trained to death and not tought a thing.
I gp back drive them untill they drive and relax and then get on and most times small pen.Just let them travel.I still want some contro as to the area.Then go to pen and straight to the flag work the flag slowly,walk,trot.stop wait back turn wait. and then a cow.Give them something to think about besides the rider.Let the horse out of the trap let them think.Give them a job that allows them to use their mind.Build their confidence.By letting them out of the trap.Most all of those are a bit hard to catch and when turn them loose they want to get away from you. Theres two ways to reward a horse.Get off.And be still.Rub their mane is for them scratch their neck.Pet them is for you.Set still.Wait let them drop their head lick their lips and take a breath.That means they are relaxed and aggreaing with you.Turn the switch off.Then get off
^^^ This is GREAT advice!^^^ 
Edited by GLP 2016-05-03 10:47 AM
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