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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | I have very recently bought a new mare. She is WAY different than what I had. What I had was something that you had to drive through the whole pattern and was lazy so you had to sort of guide her through everything with pushing her of course. My new mare is completely different!! She is so eager to work, knows her job and knows it well. I understand that this all takes time and I'm ok with that. But what I had was an unfinished horse that had a solid pattern but needed the seasoning, and I bought a finished horse that doesn't need a whole lot. So what are some useful tips that would help me to "get together" with this new mare. I have had some helpful advice already from a friend, but am wanting to see what all can be added in. Thanks in advance. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
 
Location: Missouri | Go to a clinic. Helped me and has helped hundreds of others. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | Thanks. Unfortunately my budget isn't going to allow me to do another clinic this year. I was trying out a gelding that tried to kill me at the clinic, long story but I ended up with bruised ribs and a chip in my pelvis. I would love to go to another clinic but can't afford it. Looks like lots of slow work and just plain ole riding to get her figured out. I know it will take time, but was just wondering what exercises would help fine tune those skills a little while I work her at home. |
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She's a Tough One
Posts: 3199
 
| Clinic was a great suggestion, definitely understand funds not being there. I'd say biggest thing time, time in the saddle, time to bond, riding riding more riding. I'm sure with every run it will get better and better but especially with the new horse being a different style it's going to take time. :) you will get lots and lots of good advice on here can't wait to read some of it. :) |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | Some horses just need time! Just like getting a new car! Every make of vehicle drives differently! Same for horses |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| My suggestion is a clinic too, however, if you cannot afford it I suggest that you just exhibition the horse for a while. There is no pressure on you and you can concentrate on what you are doing rather that the money that you put up for the open. I go to a little riding club and just exhibition because I don't want to interfere with the other peoples' points. Nobody knows or cares if you make a mistake. Cheap and I can get home early. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Lots of bonding time, like trail riding, going to small shows and just exhibition for awhile untill you learn how to ride her, have fun  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | I am not sure where you are located...but a lot of bigger names will also do private riding sessions that are a little cheaper. I completely understand the whole budget thing. I gave up going to a lot of shows so I could save money for a clinic. My thought process was I could blow the money on going to shows and sucking or spend it on something that would make me better. I would check with trainers in your area to see if anyone offers a day riding session that is cheaper than a clinic. You could also post videos on here for us to judge :) |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Definitely take some lessons on the new horse. Also maybe talk to the previous owners and get some tips from them. And like everyone else said just lots of ride time. I am in the same boat as you. I went from a free runner to a push style. |
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 No Name Nancy
Posts: 2715
Location: never in the right place | relax and enjoy the ride. Let her work and show you what if anything you need to work on. Then just ride, ride with friends. find someone you like the way they do stuff and ask if you can come ride with them and get some tips on what you could work on. Someone local would most likely help you out. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | i suggest just cruising the pattern and feel your horse out. let them do their job and you work on sitting back and letting them work. I love a horse like that. I don't ride push types very well. |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | I think it just takes miles... Not that I am an expert I have rode/ran the same mare for 15 years and only ran/rode/owned a handful besides her. But I think it really just takes time and miles. Since this horse is finished I imagine you dont want to do much with the patern. but maybe you could do drills. That way you are working on aspects of the pattern without out burning her out on the pattern it self. and I agree lots of trails.
I am sure lessons and clinics would help too, but that takes money you may or may not have to spend. Good luck new horses are exciting but a little stressful till you figure each other out.
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | A wise woman once told me that it takes 90 runs to completely get with a horse and I believe that to be about right. Try to be patient and understanding that not only do you have to get with her, but she has to get with you as well. It may and probably will be frustrating at times, but know that it's just the transition period and try not to take it out on her. If she's a finished horse, my advice would be to NOT overwork the pattern at home. Get to know her by just riding, but if she's finished, you're going to have to get your timing and come together with runs. Be patient with her and love her even when it isn't perfect!
I bought a really nice horse in college. He hadn't been to alot of places but he was proven locally. I bought him and started hauling him to barrel races and college rodeos. I had ridden all of my life but had never ridden anything of this caliber and it did take me quite a while to get with him. The first year I had him we would make runs to be in the money in the 1D but I hit barrels at 90% of the places I went. I made the mistake of over working him thinking it was him and not me.....or that's how we'd get together was through barrel work....and it went from bad to worse. I eventually swallowed my pride and took him back to the lady I bought him from and told her to fix him, then fix me. A week later I went to ride with her and she was very to the point with me, she said there is nothing wrong with the horse, but that I needed to learn my role in this. HAHA Best advise I have ever received about a horse. From that point on we were business partners. I didn't even ride him at home. I lunged him or ponied him only and the only time I stepped on him for the most part was to make a run. We ended up qualifying for the CNFR the next three years, I was in the top 10 in the Nation on him, he qualified me for every rodeo finals in which I held a card, and I rode him for 10 years. When I sold him he was 18 and was still a top of the 1D horse for anyone who swung a leg over him. He was a great one and I will compare every horse I ever have to him.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | mlh0972 - 2015-06-03 6:43 AM
I am not sure where you are located...but a lot of bigger names will also do private riding sessions that are a little cheaper. I completely understand the whole budget thing. I gave up going to a lot of shows so I could save money for a clinic. My thought process was I could blow the money on going to shows and sucking or spend it on something that would make me better. I would check with trainers in your area to see if anyone offers a day riding session that is cheaper than a clinic. You could also post videos on here for us to judge :)
I have some good friends that have raised, trained and run horses in pleasure and barrels and have gone on to do big things with and they are helping me improve my riding. Posting videos on here is a little intimidating. I've seen how some people have gotten torn apart in the past. I'm not that strong of a person for that. :/ And there is 1 clinic coming up in the end of June that I might be able to sneak into that is fairly close (2 hours kinda close) but other than that there isn't anything close until next spring for me. She is just so automatic that I just have to sit there basically, so lots and lots of saddle time to bring me and her together is what I need. I've just never been able to afford a finished horse before so this is so new to me. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| You can do it! Just really enjoy the time spending with her and don't stress too much. I'm sort of in the same boat as I haven't ridden in a year and just started some barrel lessons yesterday. Even loping a circle got me intimidated but I'm just rusty and can't beat myself up too much. Have fun and just spend good quality riding time together as well! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | She is my first finished horse. She runs funky anyway, more free runner to first then push around 2nd and 3rd. Maybe it's just me though. Heck I don't know. And she was raised in western Iowa from my understanding and then a novice girl owned her, she was basically a 4H horse for kids and was run here and there but by the lady that ran her she even stated that she wasn't really sure what she was doing during a run. LOL!! So it's not only figuring out a new horse, it's finding the right bit for my hands and her mouth as well, plus is she the type that needs some warm up or just shown the arena and she's good. A lot of figuring out on each end. It's just a matter of getting hers and mine communication down and being able to understand what each other want. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | casualdust07 - 2015-06-03 7:25 AM i suggest just cruising the pattern and feel your horse out. let them do their job and you work on sitting back and letting them work. I love a horse like that. I don't ride push types very well.
That is my hardest thing to let happen. I have a ton of horse baggage but I am staying positive and I know it will happen. I'd rather have something honest that wants to work than something that isn't going to try and kill me. I'm not worried about being in the 1D, heck I don't think I could ride a 1D horse if I had the chance. I'd be left sitting on top of the barrel coming out of the turn. LOL!!  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | Herbie - 2015-06-03 8:54 AM
A wise woman once told me that it takes 90 runs to completely get with a horse and I believe that to be about right. Try to be patient and understanding that not only do you have to get with her, but she has to get with you as well. It may and probably will be frustrating at times, but know that it's just the transition period and try not to take it out on her. If she's a finished horse, my advice would be to NOT overwork the pattern at home. Get to know her by just riding, but if she's finished, you're going to have to get your timing and come together with runs. Be patient with her and love her even when it isn't perfect!
I bought a really nice horse in college. He hadn't been to alot of places but he was proven locally. I bought him and started hauling him to barrel races and college rodeos. I had ridden all of my life but had never ridden anything of this caliber and it did take me quite a while to get with him. The first year I had him we would make runs to be in the money in the 1D but I hit barrels at 90% of the places I went. I made the mistake of over working him thinking it was him and not me.....or that's how we'd get together was through barrel work....and it went from bad to worse. I eventually swallowed my pride and took him back to the lady I bought him from and told her to fix him, then fix me. A week later I went to ride with her and she was very to the point with me, she said there is nothing wrong with the horse, but that I needed to learn my role in this. HAHA Best advise I have ever received about a horse. From that point on we were business partners. I didn't even ride him at home. I lunged him or ponied him only and the only time I stepped on him for the most part was to make a run. We ended up qualifying for the CNFR the next three years, I was in the top 10 in the Nation on him, he qualified me for every rodeo finals in which I held a card, and I rode him for 10 years. When I sold him he was 18 and was still a top of the 1D horse for anyone who swung a leg over him. He was a great one and I will compare every horse I ever have to him.
Love this advice!!! Timing and both of us getting together is absolutely where I'm at. Thanks so much  |
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 Veteran
Posts: 212
| what about getting a subscrption to that "training barrel horses.com" or watching some youtube videos for general techniques for different style horses... What about having the previous owner come give you lessons or if not located close enough maybe ask for some of their videos or tips? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | alp341 - 2015-06-03 11:53 AM
what about getting a subscrption to that "training barrel horses.com" or watching some youtube videos for general techniques for different style horses... What about having the previous owner come give you lessons or if not located close enough maybe ask for some of their videos or tips?
It would be great if the previous owner could help me out. But it really isn't an option. But the breeders and trainer's of this horse are on the other side of the state as where I live, and the last owner on her papers has even stated that she didn't have the skill set for where the horse is at, and she got mainly used as a trail/4H horse. And I got her through a trader who isn't gonna be of much help there. So it's a lot of trial and error on what works and what doesn't. But in the process of figuring out what works best I will be establishing a relationship with this horse. Also I have very very very honest friends that will tell me what I am doing wrong. I wish it would work out to be able to go to the previous owner though. |
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