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.