Working with the aged green horse

[ThatGirlTina]

I bought my paint mare in May, 6 years old, broke to pasture ride. The famiy who had her would toss kids on her and she would ride em around or follow the leader. I bought her because she was cheap, is gentle, no spook (so far never seen her spook at least) and pretty.

But now that I taught her to longe, and am asking her for more serious work, Im hitting bumps. Not only because of the holes in her training, but she gets cranky if asked to work much. No one has ever really asked much of her. Example, after walking around for 20 minutes I stop and talk to my sister (whos riding my gelding) and then when I squeeze to move forward, she doesnt move. After a firm kick, she kicks out a back foot. (kicking out when I kick/squeeze her). Or on the lunge if I ask her to maintain a trot, she will drop her nose to the ground and just trot away… no clue why she leaves her nose so far down sometimes… Will also start tossing her head and general tantrum throwing when asked for any type of decent work time. Anything over a few minutes

When I have gotten her up to a lope, its smooth and lovely, but she wont maintain the speed and starts acting out when asked to, I make her work through the tantrums, but they come much faster after though instead of her getting better it seems. I havent had an arena or round pen for any work, just the pasture she lives in and trails. Shes great on trails solid and steady. Since I dont have the time or place for consistent work, I figure I will send her to a professional in the spring.

Hoped for stories of others who have dealt with a green aged horse. Acting out because shes never had anything expected of her & doesnt want to start now? Did their work ethic ever pick up?

[Bluey]

Wonderful to start young horses, you can talk them into anything and they love it.

Older horses that have been handled much but never asked more than basic, slow, lazy type meandering around?

Well, they will pick it up if you make it their idea, give them a task that they like.

Go on trail rides with others and work her a bit more every time, so she gets the idea of working without having a chance to decide for herself when to park it.

Work cattle, play broom polo, anything other than just going around and around, that is just not interesting for long and, especially adult horses, will vote by planting their feet and letting you know they are done for the day.

The right trainer that can put your horse to work without bringing the fight in her will do wonders for her attitude, but you may have to always be aware that with her, it is a compromise.

Old type foundation horses tended to be a bit more opinionated than today’s nicely bred ones, that are picked for that work ethic.
Same training dogs, one bred to be biddable makes a big difference with one that kind of looks for itself more.

Starting one early gives you a jump on that, you just have to work harder now to get her there.

[ThatGirlTina]

Yes she for sure is opinionated, but this is my first mare to own, and I just figured maybe it was a mare thing!

Finding something she enjoys is tough, because she doesnt like to do much LOL though perhaps with much praise she could find enjoyment in a job. She will follow a horse in front of her all day, thats what she has done for years, packed the kiddos on rides. Though due to that, shes laid back, but not sensitive to aids in the least. Good thing is she will lead as well as follow.

[beau159]

When I bought my horse Red, he was essentially a green broke 6-year-old who had been on some trail rides. His owners (who also were his breeders) told me he never bucked and he’s just a sweetheart.

… Well they also never made him work.

Within the first couple weeks of having him, I learned he especially hated loping circles. He’d buck albeit not very large. I’d pop him and make him continue working. He actually gave up fairly quickly, and realized that bucking isn’t going to get him out of it.

We had our ups and downs the first year with other things. Actually almost ended up selling him I was getting so frustrated (bolting, mostly). But I’m glad I stuck it out because he’s turned into a really good horse.

Of course, he still has his quirks and way too much personality. But that’s okay. For what I do with him (primarily barrel racing), I like it when they have a little bit of an edge. I think it makes them perform better.

As far as your mare in question OP, honestly, I know a lot of people who would kill to have a horse dead to the aids that they can pack their kids around and not have to worry. So ultimately, is this horse going to suit your needs and what you want her to do? I guess since I reached a “turning point” with my Red about a year into owning him, I guess I would say to at least give her that long and see what happens.

[ThatGirlTina]

I also primarily barrel race and poke around on trails. I have a 12 year old QH gelding I got when he was 3 with only 30 days pro training under his belt. Now hes taken me to win buckles and ribbons and money a few times.

I bought her to be safe for me to take friends/family on rides with me. As I said she will pack anyone around calm and never seen her spook. Thats what I need her to do. But since she is mine, and my gelding is moving up in years, I hoped to start her on the pattern. She has a huge stride, her walk and trot are much faster than my naturally collected halter bred gelding. Solid whoa to her. She seems to like the barrels (all we have done is walk around them, nothing serious by far) and she is smooth as glass when she does decide to work!

My gelding is hooked on barrels though, I got lucky that he loves it like I do. I have to hold him from running down the alley before our turn, I never have to make him go to the pattern, he will take me there LOL I want my mare to be able to enjoy work like he does (even if it isnt in the speed events).

I figure she also doesnt exactly know how to balance moving around with a full sized adult on her back, especially at higher speeds. Nor is she aware of leg cues. But shes a fast learner, problem is I dont have proper facilites to work with her. Only place we can ride is the pasture she lives in or down the roads. Forthat reason and being in college full time, sending her to a trainer may be my best bet. But im very wary