Re: shocked

["superpat" <superpat@gateway.net>]

Dear Terry,
I am sorry that your ride was such a disappointment. I am certain that you
will get many suggestions from others far more experienced than I. All I
have ever owned since I became enamored of horses has been Arabians. I have
five now and have had as many as seven. As all were unbroke or green broke
when I purchased them (two were foaled here) I have had to learn as I went.
What immediately comes to mind from your description of your history with
her is that perhaps you may want to go back to square one with this mare so
that you will know that she has the foundation upon which to build. One of
the best and easiest books which I have found is "True Horsemanship Through
Feel" by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond. It should not take too very long
if you start with basic groundwork exercises, having her yield to pressure,
accept being touched all over, basically everything. Start as though this
horse had come to you with no history. Do not assume anything. Although she
may be "broke to ride" there may be some holes in her foundation. I would
even go through "sacking out" and saddling as though she had never been
ridden. If you work slowly, building block upon block, you will have a horse
that you can enjoy and feel secure that she is your partner. As Pat Parelli
says, "take the time so that you don't have to take the time". You will be
glad that you did. Don't give up on your mare. She probably just needs to be
given a reason to feel secure with you.
Good luck, Terri.
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: Terri L Odor <horses_r_us@juno.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2000 8:16 PM
Subject: RC: shocked


> I need a little encouragement right now.  If anybody feels like being a
> good Samaritan, make my day.  I have said this before, but just to
> reiterate, I am the one who is used to Fox Trotters.   That is the type
> of horse I have always ridden, but I have recently purchased an Arab
> mare.  I genuinely love her personality here at home and find that she is

> easy to ride around our place.  She had done two 50-milers when I bought
> her over a month ago.  Being that I bent the axil on my trailer and have
> not had wheels, I have not attended any rides with her yet (at this point
> I am just referring to trail rides with friends.).  However, today was
> gorgeous for a Feb day, and I opted to lead her about a mile from here
> and ride with a group of friends.  Keep in mind, this is the first time I
> have ridden her in a group.  Well, she really freaked me out.  First of
> all, she just kept kind of twirling and making it difficult for me to get
> on. Then I finally got to mount (probably unsafely) and she just started
> dancing and prancing and going sideways and ignoring me altogether it
> seemed.  I could feel the power underneath me - she wanted to run it felt
> like to me, and I had a hackamore on her.  Honestly, I think I am just
> not used to Arabians perhaps.  I wonder, did she think we were in an
> endurance race?  She acted like a whole different horse in a group.  I
> tried to relax and get her to relax, but felt it was unsafe,so I
> dismounted, told my friends it was not working out and went home.  On
> foot, leading her as I was fearful of riding her at that point and
> especially AWAY from the others.  At least when we got back home I did
> put a snaffle on her, remount, and rode her around here for about two
> hours.  She still acted weird and disobedient, but I circled her etc.,
> determined to not let her get the best of me.  It ended on a good note,
> as I felt I had finally obtained alpha at that point.  However, now I
> just cannot image riding in a group with her - which is what I WANT to do
> with her.  Why are Arabs so different from other horses?   What kind of
> attitude do I need with her?  Sorry to sound so needy.  Guess I'm just
> feeling a little disappointed at this time. Thanks  - Terri
>
> ________________________________________________________________
> YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
> Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
> Try it today - there's no risk!  For your FREE software, visit:
> http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
>