Bolshy opinionated mares!

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Janette

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She sets her neck and then tells me to ***off!

That's what she does - and I'm getting fed up with it. First part of yesterday's lesson was gorgeous - I thought I was on the wrong horse. Then we did some canter and that was it it. " Not doing 'proper' trot anymore, going to motorbike round in canter with my nose stuck to the out side and YOU can do sod all about it. Ha Ha Ha!"

And the sad part is - she's right. My instructor gets on to have a 'conversation' with her, but I'd love to know how to stop the situation happening in the first place.

Ideas?
 
Oooooh, when you find out, let me know! Mine has been given *several* ASBO's for this very behaviour. She tends to get her self a bit over anxious though, and seems to have the mentality of "I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW!" and just goes off and does her own thing. One thing that did help lots with the tanking off was the second she took too much contact and started hooning off was immediate halt and rein back. Go forward to trot again and then the second she sets neck again to tank, halt, rein back. Within a few times of this she got it that she's not meant to just take hold and run.
 
...got one of those thanks and similar colour to yours by the look of your piccie!!
Lots of transitions get her really soft at the more controllable paces ie walk and trot, lots of flexing too and shoulder in etc so she is softening up laterally and relaxing through her ribs. Before cantering make sure she is really straight so doesn't start falling out through the shoulder and working against you before you have even made her canter. If you get a good trans into the canter thats half the battle. In the canter lots of half halts and very quick take and releases on whichever rein she is setting herself on. You really need to be quick here to avoid a pulling match but if you are very quick to release this won't happen.
 
Thankyou again. I shall print all of this out and memorise it.... seriously.

Strangely, I think part of the problem is working in a school. When we school in a field she's better, so I'm assuming it's because she's distracted from me by uneven ground, strange smells, and the killer brambles which might get her. Not shying or spooking - but part of her brain is focussed on something else.
I was working her last night and got the most amazing feelings - she took the contact, stepped underneath and generally felt amazing for about 3-4 strides. this happened 2-3 times. She felt about 17hh - instead of 14.2.....:D
In a school = nothing to distract her so she puts all her energies into b*ggering about with me! Bless her. I know where we'll spend much of the summer holidays now. Mwa ha ha ha.............. (That's an evil laugh btw
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Sounds very like my little darling!! Needs to keep her brain busy or it gets up to mischief!! Good luck - she sounds fun!
 
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