Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

My first horse was also this way during our first year together, every ride
I just prayed I could stay on him - not the way to do it.  After coming off
3 times, I decided I had to get things under control or get rid of him.  I
was very motivated to work with him, as he is an athletic and beautiful
Al-Marah gelding with a huge personality.

The turning point for us was when I took him to a local clinic with a truly
good natural horsemanship trainer.  I learned a lot of skills that helped us
get on the right track.  Our relationship changed immediately, we stopped
fighting with eachother at every turn.  He even stopped kicking my trailer
to peices (can't explain that one except that we just were working
together).  It took a long time for me to really start trusting him, but I
haven't had a bad experience with him since, and its been 3 years.  He is
now my steadiest horse and takes very good care of me.  Our partnership is
what I had always hoped for.

I agree that pain issues can make for a spooky horse, too.  Tack, sore
muscles, poorly trimmed/shod hooves, you name it.

Kathy Kelly
Parks AZ

ps:  at that clinic we were doing an excercise where we were supposed to
ride at the trot without reins, I said "no way" to the instructor, he'll
take off, and asked if he wanted to ride him.  He did and Gabriel took off
at a dead run with him for a few laps around the arena.  Ha!  Woke the
instructor up, and he told everyone when that happens, you just have to ride
fast.  He never did fight and try to slow Gabriel down, but used gentle one
rein cues until Gabriel finally relaxed and stopped.  But at least I knew it
wasn't just me!




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