Thank you for all responses. well, you’re all probably right I don’t have the skill set to work through this mares issues.
Scribbler, I believe you have it right in your guess at her history.
She will flip her head around on a longe line also. So not, ‘just’ my hands but even if my hands were the only problem I do want a more enjoyable ride. Perhaps if she were younger. (more than 12)
It pains me some to give up on her, just for the sake of the journey part of me wants to keep on with her.I have worked several others through different problems, But I am limited in time and space, I must choose wisely!
Yes,her problems have been there a long time. No, I don’t have access to a trainer. Yes, I do have access to a skillet but it cooks a mighty fine egg, think I’ll keep it.
Alibi, I am a bit confused by what you are saying. Do you not make contact with a youngsters mouth when starting?
I know in western contact is often not made. But I thought when a horse was started english contact was made right from the start.
Light contact-not a frame, establish forward, rhythm, relaxation. Over time the horse gets stronger.
Merry, yes, I think you are right, I probably didn’t release enough. Maybe my rides should have been a few minutes shorter.
I have decided to let the horse go back.
First, the horse has to get onto/into the contact. It has to stretch to it. You don’t take the contact, you push the horse to it into stable, supple and following hands.
The horse makes contact. The rider provides a safe place to land.
You have the list (bold) in the wrong order. Check the dressage scale again.
Western contact is different but it goes the same way.
Second, your horse is not a youngster but an out of shape older horse with an unknown past/medical record. Her bringing back to work should be very carefull.
The youngsters I start under saddle, and pushed to some form of contact, are fit and ready for that precise work.
I also start them with a side-pull, so the contact is not in the mouth. It’s something quite classical.
So when I feel they are through enough, contact is not an issue.
Re-training horses is different but goes in the same way.
There’s one line at a local show series we go to that I’d say 95% of the horses go looky- lou at. I have thought about getting there early and burning sage around it under the guise of "walking the course’!
