I had another lesson on Chance yesterday and rode him bareback out of the ring again. This time he had NO trouble going through the gate knowing that there was grass and clover waiting for him on the other side. He did however have trouble leaving the grass and clover to take me to see other things. Not out of fear or anxiety, just plain old stubborness. He actually got cranky with me and for the 1st time since I have had him pinned his ears back and got pissy with me! I have never seen this horse get angry before, never once has he pinned his ears like that. Snack time was over and I was asking him to walk forward. He started walking backwards, almost into a snowmobile trailer, and when I wouldn't let him drop his head to eat he pinned his ears and hit my leg with his mouth! He didn't bite me, but he was warning me. This was new and I had to figure out how I was going to react to this!
Because I was bareback and not very confident in myself being able to stay on if I continued to ask him to walk forward I decided to stop asking. Also, he was showing me an emotion. Not shutting down like he would have a few months ago. I was grateful for that. But that behavior is not acceptable so I had to do something. Getting angry myself was also not an option and I wasn't going to let this turn into something even uglier. So, I got off and walked him out of the clover patch. Showing no emotions myself I decided to do something that we both already knew and I got back on in a place without clover. I needed to set him up for success and now I know that he isn't ready to be ridden and be allowed to eat. I actually think it is good that he is testing me. I just need to make sure I handle this correctly.
I rode him around the barn area showing him new things for about another 15 minutes, his emotions would build and I would bring him back to a safe place. I really struggled with letting him look around without shutting him down. I am having trouble reading him, is he just looking or is he too focused and going to exlode? It is going to take some time, I am still dealing with my own anxiety. So what will I do differently next time?
I will ride with a saddle - I don't feel confident enough in my riding to stay balanced if I need to help him out of a scary place.
I will picture a safe ride in my mind before I get on.
I will ride like a have a plan even if I don't. I will ride like we have a destination. I left too many decisions up to him, I didn't know what I wanted to do so he took over.
I won't be hard on myself! This IS fun and for both of our sakes I am going to keep it that way. I won't get caught up in the negative, and I won't get too serious.
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A piece of the Horse Puzzle that I *got* this past weekend with Joe Wolter was the what to do when the horse starts looking at something and that life comes up, and who knows whether it's curiosity or fear building... What I started playing with was, as soon as I felt him (I had Rusty but have since done this on Kacee) getting a little itsy bitsy stuck on something, ie. 'looking', I used a rein to invite him to look away. It has worked wonders! A couple of times I've been in situations where there are things on BOTH sides that worry him a little, so I ask him to look away then look away and as soon as we can, I'll invited him to hurry on past that worrisome spot on the trail. It's the "helping the horse get away" concept in action. I don't know if I'm am accurately describing this or not. Have fun!
Yes, you are describing it accurately! I learned a little bit of this with Libby but my lesson time was over so I was only able to experiment with it in the round pen after she had ridden him. He was tired and I was only able to get a small feel for it. What I ran across yesterday was that I would ask him to walk on, and when I asked him to look away from a scary thing I was shutting him down. I was confusing him and frustrating him. This is new for both of us, I think I was asking him to look away too much and he thought he had to stop.
I was trying too hard. My anxiety was creeping up, I REALLY don't want to get bucked off again! I couldn't decide if he was just curious or really scared. So to be safe I did too much.
So, I think to stay on the safe side I do need to do this as soon as I feel him get stuck, but be softer. I am really hoping that with more practice 'I' will relax also! UGGH!
Or ask him to look away before he gets stuck? I work on responsiveness first, and again if needed, in terms of expecting Rusty to respond with feel to my reins (left or right or whoa or back) and respond to my legs for "put more effort into this now". Fear of getting bucked off -- I can relate to that. Might be why I like my western saddle -- no pride about holding on to the horn and cantle if I think I'm asking something that will bring up the life! *g* Will you be going to see Libby again the end of October? I am unsure if I will as that is when Mark Rashid will be near by in New Hampshire. What a conflict -- Libby or Mark? Mark or Libby? *sigh*
That's a tough one! Mark or Libby? I don't know who I would pick either. I am planning on going to see Libby again. I really want to work with her one more time before winter gets here. I think I'll give up bareback for a little while, your right, there's nothing wrong with the security of the saddle! :)
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