Re: re:training question

["April Lee" <adlee@bigfoot.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <SANDYSROB@aol.com>

> This might seem like a stupid question to some of you but have any of you
had
> a horse that acted up while you were trying to mount and if so what did
you
> do to put a stop to it?

With my horse, nothing.  I figured out how he moves and get on him anyway.
That may sound silly, but the harder he is to mount, the better I feel.
He's in a pasture that is in the middle of a small town.  Many of the town's
children think nothing of entering the horse pasture (stupid) and RIDING OUR
HORSES.  I can't stand that.  It's a pet peeve that makes me madder than a
hornet.  If my horse moves off while being mounted, the better chance I have
of people NOT riding him.

Having said that....I rode an Arabian that was very difficult to mount
before I got Apache.  Hustler wasn't mine, so I didn't feel as strongly as I
do now about letting him move off when trying to mount.  I would get him to
stand still for me and then just lead him off without getting on him.  Then
I'd just jump on him when he was relaxed and not expecting me.  This was a
case of behavior acting out, not related to anything painful.

If you're riding with a saddle, I'd check for saddle fit.  Make sure
nothing's pinching him; and check for a too tight girth.  Also, check for
back soreness. I'd imagine that if his back hurt, your horse wouldn't want
you up there.

If nothing pain-related shows up, I'd go for retraining him.  Work with his
ground manners.  Make sure he leads well, ties well, stands well.

Good luck,
April & Apache (the "A" team)
Chattanooga, TN


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