I have an 8, almost 9 year old american quarter horse mare named Bailey. I show mostly at our county fair in the middle of July. I don't really ride in winter, because I don't have a good place to ride other than the pasture, or fields around my house. During fair week, she is amazing, and does what I ask. She is an incredible contester, as well as reiner and dressage horse. We are starting jumping this year too. I've been riding almost ten years, have had horses for most of my life. My problem with Bailey is that she is so jumpy and psycho during off-season. Every year I have to pretty much re-train her. I know I need to ride more in winter, but what else can I do to have her calm all the time. Last year, in April, I took her to a clinic and the trainer thought she was a green young mare. Shes been ridden for 5 or 6 years, not green. I love riding her, we open up in the fields in fall and just FLY. But I went to ride the other day and couldnt get on her by our trailer.
2007-02-19 12:48:59 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
please, I would really appreciate some tips and tricks in how to maintain peace and control with my mare. I lost my 23 year old wonder-arab mare chestara last month, and I loved how I could get on her in the pasture with no halter or bridle and ride. the other day, i got so upset i was crying, with tears freezing to my face, screaming how bailey would NEVER be as good as chester, and how I just don't know what to do anymore. now all the pain is rushing back, and i feel so awful. I just want that with bailey, riding bareback, feeling free but in control, and calm. horses are the biggest joy in my life, and I want to just not worry about keeping a tight rein and try to slow her down. also, any tips on training my 21 month old appendix gelding. he will probly be a hunter, and he is the most laid back horse in the world. i can probably get on him without him moving an inch, he doesn't care about stuff when i put it on the first time. anyways, thanks to all, and God bless!
2007-02-19 12:49:59 · update #1
Just so others know....I don't have all the money in the world, yes I am a horse owner and I don't. I can't drive over every day to keep my horses boarded, and our roads are hell all thru winter, so I can't trailer over. I am just asking for books or programs (thanks for the parelli info, I really want to do it, have wanted to for years). I don't want my horse on a supplement for calming, I just want my horse to be reasonable. I'm not afraid of riding, but I don't want to have to be. Thanks again to everyone.
2007-02-20 00:59:13 · update #2
Horsemanship isn't all about riding, though that is a big part of it. Being able to build up trust takes longer with some horses than others. Bailey probably needs you to find some new tools to get her trust, but believe me, it will be worth the effort!
When you can't get out to ride in winter, there are other training techniques you can employ which will help you develop trust. The best tools I've ever seen were demonstrated by Pat Parelli. His way of working with horses is amazing, and as he says "it's so simple that even a human can understand it!".
This is a link to Parelli.com:
http://www.parelli.com/
And this is a video of horses that have been trained using his techniques:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ-ed9fIols&NR
2007-02-20 00:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no way to keep her calm year round. You need to ride or at least work her on the ground. Even taking her out for walks will help. You can not expect a horse to be perfect after 5 months off. It takes time to get back learn the cues again, as well as get used to changing surroundings. If she is in one spot all winter- scenery doesn't change much, so when she is moved, she is very scared and spooky- she isn't used to it.
Ride her in the fields- even just a walk would help, Also, have you tried trailering in to places with indoor arenas? Most do not charge much for the use of their indoor. The best option would be to board her somewhere with an indoor in the winter months and then you could ride her more often.
We do not have an indoor at our farm, and when it gets to be dec or jan and our outdoor is all ice, we trailer in to a nearby stable once a month to use their indoor. If we are not at the indoor, we ride at least twice a week- even if it is just walking around in the snow, working on softening and bends.
2007-02-19 14:48:00 · answer #2 · answered by D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋