Rode my first spur trained WP horse this week. The horse is not making it in the WP world, & is for sale. Really like this horse-big guy, good mind, great foundation bloodlines. I am an eventer, so need the opposite of the spur stop button. Has anyone been successful in un-training the spur stop? I was able to establish a little connection & lengthening in the walk & trot, but the canter was hopeless!
I have a horse that was WP trained, spur stop, etc - she is now an English horse, jumps, teaches lessons, etc. It took a while and retraining her to understand different cues, but it did happen. It is possible. Lots of using your seat.
Thank you, equine kingdom. Is this your book? Teaching Horseback Riding Lessons: A Practical Training Manual for Instructors
It will usually take a little time, but it isn’t really a difficult process. Just repetitive! And expect the horse to be really confused for a bit.
I prefer to start with going back to the round pen and lunging with the goal of reinforcing (or establishing) voice commands. It doesn’t actually have to be words, but clucking, kissing, and “whoa”. After you feel that your horse has a good grip on that, get on with no spurs and either a very mild bit (smooth snaffle) or even just a halter with reins. I also like to keep a crop in my hand to tap behind my leg. Just work on walking and trotting for awhile, and add in the canter as you feel comfortable.
Good luck 
a horse with a proper spur-stop should be able to moderately extend with more calf. kind of a pulsating on/off of the calf/leg…
take off the spurs and use calf/leg and voice. lost of positive reinforcement and it will come faster than you think.
[QUOTE=InfiniteJest;6842492]
Thank you, equine kingdom. Is this your book? Teaching Horseback Riding Lessons: A Practical Training Manual for Instructors[/QUOTE]
Yes, that is my book.
Mare described earlier is featured in book in many places.
