The catch is that he is over 17hh and I am only 5’2. I lead him with a chain (just in case) but he is pretty good at responding to a light cue. If he were to act up I feel that if I do any sharp reprimands he might take that as a sign that we ARE roughhousing and ramp it up.
Going back through your posts again, reading just them so I can see a better picture without additional input, here are some more thoughts:
He’s not as well-trained at he walk as you think he is. He’s generally a Good Horse Citizen who is generally amenable to what you ask, so doesn’t mind playing along. He’s not being necessarily obedient, as much as he is not disagreeing. There’s a subtle different physically, but it’s an enormous mental difference, and starts showing up more often, with bigger issues, the more he’s asked to work.
He might well “ramp it up” if you get after him for acting up, but that IS something he needs to work through. If it’s not something you feel comfortable being able to deal with for 1-2-3-4 times it might take to get through to him, then I’d invest in a trainer to come work with the 2 of you for a few sessions. Until you see how these youngsters react, and know you can handle it, you’re walking on eggshells, afraid to do anything that might invite some push-back, and that often doesn’t end well. I’ve been there. The eggshell walking gets old :no:
You may well over-react in correction, and that’s ok too - you apologize to him AND yourself, and move on. 1 over-correction on your part isn’t going to make him afraid of you. It just gives you information on how to scale back the correction. Also been there - went from my “gotta set off a bomb under him” WB, to my “is there a pea under my 10 mattresses?” OTTB, and had to learn to handle her without us both ending up in the next county :winkgrin:
If he is not walking off PROMPTLY with a workmanlike military “Yes M’AM!” attitude when you ask, he’s not ready to be asked to trot. To that end, I’d go back to the beginning, and wherever he’s compliant but slow in responses, ask him to make his responses faster and sharper, but do not reward if he’s “running” from your request. He can’t learn that he can “goose” away from your request. There’s a big difference from a horse who is attentive and quick to respond, and one who is seeking to avoid the request as fast as possible. The softness of the body, neck, ears, eyes, nose, and lips tell the story.
You may end up going through a period of him “running” from the request to move, and that’s ok. Don’t praise it, but don’t correct him either. Just quietly bring him down and ask again. At some point he’ll do something with a soft neck, and then you praise and let him think on that for a minute.
It’s critical to never release whatever tension on the line you have, when he stops, until he softens. Ever.
I would not ask for a trot in-hand until he will march off and halt with you, without slugging behind, or running off
He is turned out during the day with another gelding who doesn’t engage in roughhousing with him. They run around together sometimes but the other gelding is the boss. I do think maybe he’s not getting enough exercise
Unless he’s getting too much food, or food that’s too high in NSC, he’s getting enough exercise. All day turnout is enough. It’s not ideal, no, but it’s enough
The barn owner doesn’t have time to train him, and won’t do it. It’s my responsibility during my time with him.
I agree. As long as the BO is at least capable of getting him safely and more or less politely in and out, that’s good enough. But if s/he allows him to be a kite, then something needs to change.
