9yr old mare has had 3 mths off and doesn't want to go back to being ridden?

Question

I have a mare that was in training till Dec. I wasn't able to ride her for the past 3 mths . Today when I tried to ride her ,she refused to listen to me and almost threw me off . Do I try to ride her again or does she need to go back to ground work ? Before Dec. she was w/t/c perfectly and even doing side passes . Help. I am a not a great rider ,but have been in lessons for a year .

Answer 1

#1 - DO NOT get back on that horse if you have any apprehension. This mare sounds like she doesn't want to go back to work, so she's going to drag her feet and look for any apprehension in you to work off of. If you truely feel like you can be 100% confident then you can work with this horse, but if not then before reading any more, send it back to a trainer or friend who can get her back into riding.

#2 - You should always lunge a horse before riding. Lunging isn't to get the energy out of a horse...often times it makes them more energetic, but it shows you what mood she is in, and gives you a chance to show her that you're not messing around - you want her attention. If you use natural horsemanship, and lunge with a rope halter, make the mare do half a circle than turn her, then half a circle and a turn. Making her turn and keep going is making her submit to you. Make sure that you stop her when she shows signs of submission (chewing, loose mouth, slower gait, deep sighs) and make her back up a few steps before approaching. Backing up is a horse's way of inviting you into their bubble, so if you make them back up, then you are forcing them to ask you into their bubble.

#3 - Don't let her push you around. If you tell her to do something that she has done perfectly before, then hold her to that standard. Horses don't forget things like that, so just ask her to do it like you knwo she will and make her follow through with your aids.

#4 - To contradict #3, choose your fights. She is going to be a bit rusty, so if you ask her to do something ask yourself if it's really worth making her do. If you know she's going to react badly to punishment, don't fight her, just check her and keep going. Sometimes backing off and then trying again works better. Horses are stronger, and a strong willed horse, even with a bit in it's mouth still chooses whether or not to follow your commands. I had a horse who decided I wasn't doing what he wanted and we took off at a gallop with his head touching my stirrup...supposedly that will stop them, but my horse is stubborn, so it didn't work. Ultimatly you need to keep your bonds strong and choose how and when to fight back.

Hope that helps some!

Answer 2

Ok can you try and get back into regular lessons with this horse? All you need to do is simply work your way back up, patiently and slowly-- start over again... You both just need to get back into the swing of things and of course it will come back fairly easily to you both after a month or two-- Of course it won't be like you are training her for the first time again, she will start to remeber and refocus.

If you can't afford lessons, the next best option would be to lunge her and get her used to the feel of the saddle again. Then start a daily routine after a week or so of lunging--possibly riding with the aid of a more experienced friend for some tips and advice etc.. plus it's always more fun with a friend anyways!

day 1-5) Lunge her for 15 minutes ride Walk and Trot for 30.
day 5-10) Lunge for 10 minutes ride Walk and Trot for 35
day 10-15) Lunge for 5 minutes ride Walk and Trot for 40

* Make sure at the walk and trot you are stimulating her and getting her to listen to your aids-- not just going in a million circles around the arena. Practice serpentines and figure eights and try to get outside on some trails with another rider and just do some nice leisurely walking for the first few trails-- then work your way up to the trot.

day 15-25) Lunge for 15 minutes W/t/c for 30
day 25-30) Lunge for 10 minutes W/t/c for 35
day 30-35) Lunge for 5 minutes ride w/t/c for 40

*make sure you give her about 2 days off per week at first. and after that she still needs at least one day off a week no matter what*

After this is completed it will be about a month later, you should be well into your training and back on tract!

GOOD LUCK......................v

Answer 3

i would defiantly start doing some groundwork-make sure she's listening to you when your leading her around..
Also have you tried lunging her-if not try that-it will get rid of some of that extra energy before you get on a ride her!
Start up slow and work slowly back to where you were at!
Good luck!