trainer101
Posted : 2/2/2010 3:32:29 AM
Most of the time if I am working with a horse with this problem I can get most of it fixed on the ground without the big fight undersaddle. I will start in the arena and have them trot around me and change directions every other circle. I don't mean let them stop and face you then meander off in the other direction, if you have ever watched Clinton Anderson hustle them in the turn then you know what I am talking about. After they get going and are changing directions without trying to pull away or run sideways because they don't want to hustle, (co-trainers horse did it this afternoon too) I start moving them around the arena still at a trot. I will send them between me and the wall or over tarps or what not. If they back up and want to act silly I just stay at their side and keep taping them on the neck till they move forward.
When they realize that you mean it from the ground they are less likly to test hard undersaddle but most of the will test your resolve. If they decide to keep backing up I will flex their head around to my boot and disengage the hindquarters a full circle and then the other way. But I want them to know I mean it so I will get them to hustle a bit then ask again for the forward movement. If they still want to keep backing up then I will use my legs and make them hustle back till I am out of room, flex and yeild the hind and back up some more, run out of room, yeild and keep backing. I use my legs in tandom with the front legs, left, right, left right so as to get some energy in the back. then I ask for the forward motion again.
If I have to enforce it then I will use the end of the reins to give a good pop on the shoulders. Most of the time if they won't move straight out you can bend their head and have them move a small circle, but again I make em hustle around so that when they realize how much easier it is to just walk out, everything clicks in place for them. If they have the energy to do it wrong then they deffiantly can do it right!
Hope this gives you some new ideas! Stay safe and keep us posted.