hunterseat
Posted : 12/27/2009 1:03:17 PM
You've got two problems.
First, congrats on the flying dismount! BTDT! Did you forget to let go of the reins and try to hold on to her? BTDT, too! Except I got drug before my brain told my hand to release. UGH!
Sometimes, once you trust your horse, it's not as scarey for them to take off because, unless they are in top condition, they ain't gonna run forever! So maybe try sticking with her and the other horses will stop or you can circle her and make her work. I know people are going to tell you to teach her the one rein stop. When a horse is flat out running, I really don't feel comfortable pulling their head to one side. I'm picturing somersaults here. AND yes, your horse should do everything you want every time you ask it.... SO I'll leave this problem alone because it IS a safety issue and I think it has to do with "who's the boss" which has something to do with your next problem, which I'll address! [
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You have to have LOTS of time on your hands. OR, if you've only got limited time with your horse, plan on spending the whole time on this lesson. She has to stand for you because, like last weekend, someone on the trail ride might have to get off and then what? I ended up getting off and giving the girl a leg up - it was a disaster - she had a bad knee, the horse wouldn't stand... I wanted to jerk a knot in that horse but... not my place.
SO get yourself a GOOD mounting block and a dumptruck load of patience. Put your anger in the trunk of your car and DON'T bring it out under any circumstance. [
] Your horse needs to feel secure around you for her to accept you as leader. Smacking on her won't speed up the process in the least! SO, you groom and tack up as usual.... Put her at the mounting block and tell her to stand, using whatever word you choose for that. Go to get on, (don't plan on it, you know what comes next) she starts to walk off. At the first sign of her stepping you stop her with the rein and jump down, back her up right where you first put her. Does she back up good? If not, that's another lesson you need to have under your belt. Ground work, ground work, ground work. So you have her back at the block, do it again all over. Like John Lyons says "after about 200 times, she will get the idea". Patience, patience, patience. Don't let anyone come along and say "do you want me to hold her for you?" NO, she needs to learn. And don't tie her to mount! Never! BE PATIENT! I'm sure she's a wonderful horse or you would have never fallen for her. You both need to learn each other's signals.
My Zag needs standing lessons, too. I need to fix my standing tree and let him stand! He'll get the hang! It took a long time for me to trust Zag and there are times he makes me wonder but I stay calm and let him do a few things to get his mind to focus, serpenines, circles, backing up..... yielding to leg pressure.
I hope it all goes well and POST SOME PICTURES!! We need pictures!! [
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