WrapSnap - 2015-12-13 11:28 PM In your original post you said that when she knows that you are frustrated, or angry and when what you are doing is as punishment, she locks up. There is a very good reason for this. A very wise horseman once told me something that had the largest impact on not only my life with horses, but life in general of anything that I have ever heard. Patience and knowledge run out at the same time. When working at anything, we must put our unproductive emotions aside. More often than not, when we become angry, frustrated, or impatient, it is because we do not know what to do in order to resolve a situation. All the while, those emotions are blocking us from being able to pick up on the subtle answers which we are being given. I am sure that some will disagree with this statement, but it is okay for one not to want to stand still. If she doesn't stand still, rather than argue about it, allow her to move, but only in ways that you ask her to. That may mean walking a circle. It could be sidepassing, leg yielding, whatever you choose. They come to realize that they just might want to stand still and take that breath for a minute. It sounds to me like through the best of your knowledge, you have tried to make this horse do the things that you have learned to be correct. That is both a good and bad thing. When we learn things in theory, such as "a horse should be kept slow and correct until they perform the pattern perfectly before adding speed", we so often lack the knowledge of how to put that theory into execution. We end up picking and picking at an animal who is doing things right in an effort to achieve perfection, but we don't know how to acknowledge, or reward the steps toward it.

RacingTheArabian - 2015-12-13 10:48 PM


Twice maybe three times if I am lucky. We exhibition only twice and I try to have them space me out in order for me to camp out and let her relax after the first one.

streakysox - 2015-12-13 11:04 PM


OK, so you have no where to work this horse at home and are able to haul a couple of times a month. By my calculations this horse has been practiced on about twelve times maybe sixteen at the most. A couple of exhibitions each time would be no more than 30 or so trips around the barrels. I think you are expecting too much of this poor horse and the horse is reacting. You need to slow WAY down. Let the horse learn the pattern at a trot and build confidence at that speed. I don't care how great you are doing right now running 19's. Your horse obviously cannot stand the pressure at this speed.

RacingTheArabian - 2015-12-13 3:36 PM She only locks up when she's being reprimanded. She will literally stand there all day. That's the only time she locks up. When she knows your angry she wont respond anymore. When I first got her she wouldn't move out at all, I go her at 6 and barely green broke. She would lock up on trails and wouldn't move. I had to carry a crop with me for the first year of me riding her. Barrels and trails she now moves out super well. The only time she locks up is when you're frustrated with her, or she herself is frustrated and doesn't know what to do.

Anniemae - 2015-12-14 11:23 AM


I would spend $40 and test her... 

MS2011 - 2015-12-14 12:30 PM

Just trying to decipher a few things - 
She's 11, been on the pattern 2 years and you've owned her for 5. 
Do you have any videos of her exhibitioning?
Does she 'pop up' when you ask her to stand near the alley after breezing her thru?  Where are you asking her to wait? Are you requiring that she stand still, or direct her feet and allow her to move?
Is she quiet going into the pen?

 

SC Wrangler - 2015-12-14 1:26 PM It sounds to me like the horses behavior is directly related to your emotions.  I would bet that if you can find a way to delete your stress and frustration from the situation the issues will resolve.



Horses are extremely perceptive.  Releasing them from mental pressure starts with calming your own mind and allowing that to tranfer thru your body and actions. 

Southtxponygirl - 2015-12-14 1:32 PM


I bet going to a good barrel racing clinic would help lots.  

RacingTheArabian - 2015-12-14 12:54 PM


I will get back to you on this and post some videos I have. Heading into town so won't be able to reply.

Bibliafarm - 2015-12-14 6:45 PM

Arabs a bit high headed unless you supple her alot and work her low and over her back.. is she arab?

MY Arab I did alot of suppling and relaxing and you should keep your hands Low.. dont pull up ... low will work better so her head doesnt shoot up..
that would take time for her to learn to relax but you need to keep quiet hands and low hands when asking to whoa or walk or whatever..
Its hard to say from those 2 videos but thats what seems to help the high headed ones..work them deep and low and if she walks off.. dont pull back high..  

streakysox - 2015-12-14 9:04 PM

You say this horse has been to a trainer? Personally, I don't think the horse is is broke well enough to be doing what you are asking. I think some basics would be extremely beneficial. The few dealings with MO fox trotters that I have had is that they prefer to be noncompliant.