Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Dawn, I have Pasos too.  I wouldn't necessarily call them stubborn now (although I did as I was learning), but you hit the nail on the button with the smart part.  The more I'm around Arabs, the more I see similarities between the two breeds.  I've heard Pasos called all sorts of things, but it's usually because they aren't acting like the QH next door.  Same thing with "Ay-rabs, they're crazy, you know" (yeah, like a fox :-P).

Part of the difficulty may be that classic PF training really has no in-hand work, but rather is done with driving.  That could be why you get better results with hazing him. Of course, that is no long term solution.  What I have done is to teach mine the John Lyons' "go forward" cue of the tap on the hip with a dressage whip accompanied by a verbal cue, and maybe with yours this would include desensitization to his fear of the whip.  I then do the same walking next to them, holding the dressage whip in my left hand and reaching behind me with it when necessary.  When I transition up to the trot I change my verbal cue (from one chirp to repeated chirps in the cadence of the gait) and they seem to respond to that verbal cue more than anything.  At first I give them treats and lavish praise after only a stride or two, and then just keep extending it.  Most Pasos are very willing horses and respond very well to positive reinforcement ("Keep those treats coming" :-p)

This took some time, and it was very frustrating at first.  But I kept at it by taking them for long hand walks along the road where we varied what we were doing all the time:  step, step, back, step, trot trot trot, whoa, back, ....  They like doing this as it keeps their minds engaged, even the babies.  This "dancing" also becomes a good calm-down tool when they are getting worked up over something (by diverting their focus).  After all the "step-back" nonsense they are *relieved* to be able to trot for a bit.  Now my guys love to trot alongside, and my one mare wants to always trot next to me.

Hang in there.  It will come, just more slowly if he has some fear/abuse issues to work through.  Maybe the vet check reminds him of a show with bad memories.  Pasos remember a loooooooong time :-P

Dana 

From: RDCARRIE@xxxxxxx

"The horse is an 8 yr old Paso
Fino gelding. We've been told now by 3 different vets that they are a
stubborn breed. ....He's terrified of crops and lunge whips - apparently had some harsh
training - we've had to work to gain his confidence, but these devices still
scare him. ..... We've managed to get him
to do a *fairly* respectable trot out at home and after conditioning rides by
having the second person haze him to get him moving (without a whip), the one
on the lead rewarding him with cookies and ear scratches for a good effort,
and have now been able to pretty much do away with the hazing. His trot out
is not very inspired or enthusiastic, but it's there.

Ross is thinking about getting a short whip and just
working with the horse till he realizes that even though Ross is carrying it,
he's not going to use it, as long as the horse trots out". ....Dawn in East Texas

ddbpaso@xxxxxxxxx
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<\___~~ "Paso Fino: Born to Love"
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