Am I doing something wrong

moomoos

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I've broken my youngster in myself (First youngster) she knows walk, trot and canter. But she just stops how do I keep her going? Doesn't matter how much leg I put on.
 

be positive

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It sounds as if you need some experienced help, reading your other thread you say you are terrified at times and dread riding her, she will sense this however hard you try to hide it, you may be giving her mixed signals and confusing her so she has decided that doing nothing is the best option.
Breaking in your first youngster can be challenging and there is no shame in admitting you may have made mistakes or got out of your depth, if she is not responding to you then you need help beyond what can be given on a forum as they are all so different and what will work for one could be totally wrong for another and end up making matters worse, experience cannot be taught it develops over time dealing with many horses and learning from each and every one of them.
 

moomoos

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You're so right.

I'm not sure what the best option is to take.

Do I send her on a schooling livery program?
Do I get an instructor in?
Do I get a professional to come and ride her?
Do I do the unthinkable and admit I've taken on to much, and rehoming would be better?

There's so much going on in my poor little mind. I just don't know what to do for the best. Love the girl unconditionally.
 

be positive

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Without knowing you it is difficult to give definitive advice but the first and most sensible option would be to get an experienced trainer to come and assess you both, the right person should be able to help you, ride her and work through the issues with you being fully involved, there is no reason at this stage to move her on, you just need some help to move forward together and get over this blip.

The main thing is to get the right help, not all instructors are experienced with young horses so check they have started plenty before you get them out, you could always start a thread asking for recommendations in your area if you don't know anyone suitable.
 

Honey08

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Get a good local instructor to come and give you an option, it may be that it's easily workable with and just needs some lessons, it may be she needs sending away.
 

BethH

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If you tell us where you are based someone on this forum is bound to know someone who might be able to help. I do think a fresh pair of eyes from a decent instructor would really help you to move forward. I've answered you on the other post, but seriously, someone who is unflappable, sympathetic and experienced with youngsters to come and see see you and your horse would be a good starting point. If she needs to go away for some further schooling, a good instructor is bound to know somebody trustworthy to help.

I always think it is nicer to be able to tackle it from home in the first instance as you can learn with your horse, but if need be, a change of environment can take her out of her comfort zone and she may be more inclined to listen to what is being asked of her. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 

Shay

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Be Positive is spot on. Find a local instructor with loads of experience starting youngsters - and who you get on with too -and get help at home first. They'll be able to advise you then as to what to do next. But don't press on without help. It is too easy to ruin a youngster - or to get seriously hurt yourself.
 

Exploding Chestnuts

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You're so right.

I'm not sure what the best option is to take.

Do I send her on a schooling livery program?
Do I get an instructor in?
Do I get a professional to come and ride her?
Do I do the unthinkable and admit I've taken on to much, and rehoming would be better?

There's so much going on in my poor little mind. I just don't know what to do for the best. Love the girl unconditionally.

Unconditional love is not going to help a lot.
Why did you decide you were going to buy an unbroken youngster.
How did you prepare yourself.
When things started going wrong you should have got help.

The horse knew how to walk trot and canter, gallop and jump before you got on, what she did not know is how to do it on command.
Sounds like she is totally confused, see if you can get get someone to take her off your hands and get an older and wiser horse, take lessons on this horse, as though you were going to break a young horse, it will be a lot more fun for both of you.

Sorry, but the answer is, yes you are doing something wrong, cheer up and find someone helpful at your yard. Get an experienced BHSII instructor to help you, not an AI with limited experience in these matters.

Experience comes with time and money, unbroken youngsters need both.
You cannot learn everything from a book, and very little from a forum, unless you already have the foundations
 
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Sukistokes2

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I think the hardest thing about bringing on a youngster is knowing when you have reached the end of your experience, ability or patience. I have backed and brought on my last two, one who turned in to my horse of a life time and one who I decided was not for me. The biggest rule of thumb is unless you are a professional, you can't do it on your own and to be honest most professionals don't attempt it all on their own. I see you have thought things through. If the horse is not for you then the decision to move on is really hard but also comes with a sense of relief. My unsuitable horse has gone to a loan home and while I do miss him, I enjoy seeing the updates from his new career. They just get on. The other options you put forward are also good I have done these to. I sent one horse away to be brought on, I had already back and was finding the consistency difficult. I got a nicely working horse back and felt it was worth the money. I then carried on with his education and it was fine. With the other horse I had the professional come to me and we backed together. It allowed me to be there and be hands on and I filled in around her visits. This is the horse I have loaned, it is no reflection on the technique because I felt all in all, that I preferred this method. I was able to take my time and do things slowly and the horse now has a super attitude and is making someone happy, even if it's not me. I know he had a terrific start and in his trainer I now have a friend for life.
I hope this helps.
 
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