advice

littleH

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11 April 2007
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I have just got a chestnut mare who has a beautiful personality. does the ears back thing just cos she can but never follows through . She will test my boundaries until i shout at her then will stand nicely. I want to cure this standing still thing as i want to go back to basics. Every time the rules dont change so why will she insit on shuffling around when im trying to do anything.????any ideas guys would be so appreciated....
 
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Every time the rules dont change so why will she insit on shuffling around when im trying to do anything.????any ideas guys would be so appreciated....

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Cos she knows she can by the sound of it LOL.

Just be firm from the outset - no need to raise your voice, a good old growl should do it. Always tie her up correctly and shortly. And continue as you mean to go on.
 
Sometimes it can just be a habit, or sometimes its because they're nervous and maybe defensive (which could explain the ears thing).
I'm sure she'll get better with time...sounds like you are being firm but patient with her.
Good luck
S
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PS If it makes you feel better, my box-rested youngster has been described as 'the whirling dervish' when tied up
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Sounds like she's an impatient fidget arse like Ty!

I've changed tactics and I'm very bold and strong in my actions around him - a split seconds dithering and he takes the michael.

If he moves about he gets a stern talking to but raising your voice at him just makes him worse......he's a petulent child!
 
she was abandoned in a field for 2 years then rode by a young woman who let her get away with murder jumped and galloped everywhere. think she needs to channel her energy....lol i am having to build me confidence with her tooo she has shown me her happy riding school pony side and the demon from hell side ....what am i to expect when i get on her ....lol i do feel better i am consciouse i dont want her to win any battle tho......
 
Mine does this and I just settle for a good growl at him, any movement such as raising arms to wave him away make him 10 times worse, nothing beats a stern voice!!
 
Shellee could be a madam like this. I personally found being very confident in my body language and quietly but assertively going about what I wanted to do in the same way every time and pretty much ignoring any unwanted movement etc from her helped.

I would also relax my body and move away from her a little if she took to being good.

I always think the best reward you can give a horse is to lay off and sometimes move away.

I made sure I NEVER moved away or layed off when she was fidgetting nashing etc.
 
I would try some ground work with her. Some of the Parelli 'seven games' would be helpful. Try backing her up on the ground (facing her with your shoulders square). Then turn around and let her follow you. She should stop when you turn and face her square on, wiggle lead rope at her if necessary to get her to back off. It's difficult to tell from this whether she is nervy which is leading to her impatience, or whether she is just trying to assert herself and push the boundaries. Either way I would recommend looking into groundwork techniques. She needs to feel comfortable and secure that you are there for her to look up to. I would not recommend shouting. She should not be forcing you out of the way by her actions. Your feet should stay where you want them to be.

www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk
www.parelli.com
 
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