Fibones
Active Member
I am helping friends with 2 horses and trying to use natural horsemanship methods with them as the horses are quite green.
Challenge 1: Jack is an 18.2 hh 8 y.o. Shire who is very unwilling to move forwards off the leg, in fact he will often simply dig in and go on strike. He can be light off the leg occasionally in the school, and certainly when heading home once we do get him out, but it is really hard work overcoming his bulk and unwillingness. When he goes on strike, I just try to get any foot to move in any direction so that he doesn't 'grow roots' , but it is frustrating to have my legs (even with a spur) to have absolutely no effect when he won't go. We overcome this by having a ground person lead him or another horse come up and offer support and 'pny him'; but it does feel like it is 2 steps backwards one step forwards at the moment. When we have moments of forward movement, he is a joy! Help please- anyone worked with big draft horses with similar personalities?
Challenge 2: Bob is an ex-pacer standard bred who unlike Jack, has plenty of forward movement off very little leg. He gets his tongue over a bit, so I've gone bitless with him and that seems to be helping. He is learning to have speeds within the trot, and respond to the seat which are all good steps. I am trying to trot him without having him pace (which he does if he is nervous it seems)- and he does canter and his balance is improving (he used to trip alot apparently); but he rides pretty hollow and I was wondering if anyone else has worked with this type of horse and has any tips for helping me to help him become more rounded and balanced and moving through the gaits without pacing.
Challenge 1: Jack is an 18.2 hh 8 y.o. Shire who is very unwilling to move forwards off the leg, in fact he will often simply dig in and go on strike. He can be light off the leg occasionally in the school, and certainly when heading home once we do get him out, but it is really hard work overcoming his bulk and unwillingness. When he goes on strike, I just try to get any foot to move in any direction so that he doesn't 'grow roots' , but it is frustrating to have my legs (even with a spur) to have absolutely no effect when he won't go. We overcome this by having a ground person lead him or another horse come up and offer support and 'pny him'; but it does feel like it is 2 steps backwards one step forwards at the moment. When we have moments of forward movement, he is a joy! Help please- anyone worked with big draft horses with similar personalities?
Challenge 2: Bob is an ex-pacer standard bred who unlike Jack, has plenty of forward movement off very little leg. He gets his tongue over a bit, so I've gone bitless with him and that seems to be helping. He is learning to have speeds within the trot, and respond to the seat which are all good steps. I am trying to trot him without having him pace (which he does if he is nervous it seems)- and he does canter and his balance is improving (he used to trip alot apparently); but he rides pretty hollow and I was wondering if anyone else has worked with this type of horse and has any tips for helping me to help him become more rounded and balanced and moving through the gaits without pacing.