Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Encouragement needed. . .

Hello Laurie,
It is discouraging to have your horse act up on the trail after successfully 
riding him there a few months earlier.  I trained two horses last year to go 
solo on the trail, and what I did was after trail riding with a buddy for a 
couple of months, I began to do very short trail rides, I mean, 15 minutes 
to start, and worked up from there.  Walk only, getting the horse to relax 
and work on a loose rein.  What I got from your post is you are taking your 
horse too far, too fast and asking too much, and you are scaring yourself!!  
Go for slow short rides,  walk only and just work on getting you and Rascal 
to relax.  Don't worry for now, about crossing water or other obstacles, 
just take it slow.  Another thing, continuous half halts turn into constant 
pulling, so in effect you are constantly pulling on the horse, who in turn, 
is pulling on you.  OF course he can travel sideways when you are pulling on 
him, as the pull is propping him up.  Do these short rides frequently, a few 
minutes out on the trail after ring work, for example.  A short (20 minute) 
ride with a relaxed horse and rider, beats an hour of fear an fighting.  Go 
back to basics, relaxing, stopping ect. IF the horse is not perfect that is 
ok, look for incremental improvement (ie, a little at a time, over time)   
About the prancing, my mare began to prance after her first LD (it was so 
exciting for her!)  So, I didn't know what to do so I tried this, when she 
would prance I would halt her, let her settle, and walk on.  This worked for 
her.  Of course I realize every horse is different, but sometimes, less is 
more and the horse has less games to play this way.  Also, alot of time, I 
just try to relax and ride the prance instead of picking a fight, as I have 
come to feel that picking a fight is worse.
My mare had an injury a couple of months ago and I am now bringing her back. 
  I will be doing suppling/strength work with her for a couple of months 
then back to trail riding.  I plan again, to bring her on the trail in slow 
incremental steps, because even though she has completed one 50, she is 
still young and what I call "young minded" and I want to get her relaxed and 
confident.  Please let me know if any of these suggestions are a help you!!  
Best of luck,
Maureen
Reno, Nv


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