Horse Training
Like other “ordinary” horse owners, we are busy people. Work, children, grandchildren, sickness, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc…. I tried to ‘fit’ my horse time in there. I would brush, love on them…maybe ride in their pasture once or twice. Very boring, for everyone! Coulda, shoulda had a plan…and implemented it! I could have made it interesting, challenging. But I didn’t. Never really had a training schedule that I stuck to. I had the best intentions…
Every Spring I would be able to get on Brego and go off for a nice ride. I brought Brego home Oct. 1, 2006. So there have been a lot of Springs I was able to do this! Until yesterday. I have a week off from work, and thought a little ride would be great. Little ride, because neither he or myself are in shape for anything long. Since he was brushed earlier, I saddled him up. I walked him to the driveway, where I use my mounting block. He stood still, and then off we go! A great start! Ginger was neighing, like she always does. Having 2 horses, riding one at a time, always leaves one home neighing. I cross the road to go up a field and do a nice loop. I was confident in Brego and used the bit-less bridle. (I have read so many articles that show how a bit causes so much pain in a horse’s mouth, even with ‘soft’ hands. ) We didn’t get far when Brego stopped. I thought perhaps that he had to urinate, but he didn’t. Then he went to graze and I’m like, “NO no no! We just started riding! ” I remember something Julie Goodnight said, The first 10 minutes of your ride can determine how the rest will go. ( something like that anyways). So I wanted to set the tone straight away. I assumed Brego would be himself and just go along and all’s well. Nope. We go not much further, and he puts the brakes on. Then starts pawing. Then turns his head back to my right leg, bumping it. I was very confused. And honestly, a little frightened. I reached under the saddle blanket to scratch his side, thinking he had an itch. That didn’t fix it. I let him stand there and talked to him. Didn’t work. I turned his head side to side to get him off balance to take a step, which he did. Then I got him to trot, just to get his mind off whatever it was on. That is when he started to crow-hop. He did come back to a walk, then a standstill. I tried clucking, all of that. Finally, after starting to crow-hop at a standstill, I dismounted. I wouldn’t let him graze, and he didn’t push it- he knew by my voice how angry I was. I walked him home. And I thought. Thought about all the training tips I’ve come across, trying to figure out what to do. If the problem was this, then I should be doing that-and so on. Then I thought how much I have not been consistent with him, plus I’ve spoiled him. I have been so quick to try out new things I’ve read about, without really following through or studying it long enough. I love him so much, but love wasn’t cutting it. It wasn’t working now. I needed consistency, fairness, trust, honesty, confidence, calmness, follow-through, clarity, awareness— Another one of those sayings by Julie G.. I had to stick to one way of handling him. There are so many wonderful horse groups out there! And all of their ideas sound so right! But I need to do what’s best for me and my horse. Without hurting him, or myself getting hurt.
Got home, mounted, and tried to walk him back and forth along the house. He was resistant, but complied a little. I brought him into the pasture, took the saddle off (wondering if that was bothering him), and got on bareback. He was a good boy and stood next to the railing so I could get on, but would do nothing else. I called it a day. Fed them, and called it a night.
Today I rode Ginger. She is the one who neighs and carries on a lot when Brego is out. I wondered what I was in for! Brego neighed for her, and she never answered or looked back! We had a marvelous ride, and when near the house, I dismounted, loosened the girth, and let her graze. This was done in full view of Brego. I wanted him to see what he missed out on yesterday! He didn’t neigh, just stood watching. When I put Ginger in the field, I told him he could have another chance tomorrow! I also felt him, and noticed that he hadn’t worked up a sweat while we were out. There have been times in the past where Ginger got so worked up while Brego and I have been out that I would see the dried sweat on her.
So tomorrow I try Brego again. I know that there is herd bound issues. But if it was that bad, I feel that he would have been more upset today while we were out. I will have to do some thinking and have a plan to follow. Definitely going to say a prayer too!
My vet will be coming soon to give them their annual shots. If the problem with him persists, I will have him checked out.