Getting a young horse to think forward?

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Cedars

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Hi all.

So, this is a question I never thought I'd have to ask!

Puzzle is doing super at being backed-walking and trotting well. She's been ace-not an eyelid has been batted.

But in a sense, that's sort of a problem! She is VERY slow-as in, would happily saunter along with snails overtaking her if she could. I'm aware that she needs to be 'marching on' in all her paces, but I'm also aware how important it is not to nag at her or to be booting her in the ribs.

What am I doing wrong? I obviously don't want to use spurs on her yet, shes not ignoring the leg it's more that she doesn't understand what I mean. Likewise for a whip-I'd rather not crack her on the bum when she just needs reminding, rather than telling off. What would you do? I'm thinking one of the natural horsemanship whip *** rope things-or even rhythm bell bead necklaces things?

Thanks in advance, not sure what I'd do without this forum to sound off too on a rainy Sunday night!

X
 
It can help to get them thinking forwards if you can get out and about. If you are already doing that try going out in company and go slightly faster. Sometimes being in the same place can mean they are totally relaxed and so not so forward thinking or even a bit bored so mixing it up with say going over poles or some despooking. See some of the jftd dafthoss posts for some slightly bonkers ideas for this
 
Give her a chance. She's only just backed and shes not a little thing! Hack out with other horses, make it fun and let her find her feet... Our big irish youngster took well over a year before he marched out. He found it all knackering! He got there in the end.
 
She does not understand yet what the leg is asking for and like many kind types she is being cautious and going slowly rather than rushing off or overreacting when you use them.

I would get her back on the lunge for a day or two and really get her moving forward with plenty of positive encouragement and praise when she goes on in a good trot, no need to canter, then get the person on the ground helping you to use the same method while you are riding to back up your aids, you need to reward her when she goes forward, a quick pat is sufficient.

If you can hack her out she will soon get going keeping up with another horse is usually the best way.
Keep everything short and sweet, try not to let her get bored and be happy if she just takes a stride or two that are good it will soon become several strides and you will be away.
 
thinking forward comes from the very first lesson, i think, which is to lead and walk out properly, i never go any further than this until a horse will walk out smartly in hand and preferably trot well, start as you mean to go on, it starts a certain fitness and trains the brain to think forwards, a conception not always realised by a youngster meandering round the field.

use the voice to command the inhand response then when under saddle the horse already knows the voice command then just add the legs in a forward movement, i never use a whip and have never used spurs.

always lead from both sides of the horse.
 
We cant hack out at the moment, because the local yard still has strangles and is still hacking out. So it's not worth it :(

She is still being lunged every time before I ride-reminding her of her words! I use the same words and tone when I'm on her but it's not having quite the same effect. I have been riding her not on the lunge-I didn want her to do too many circles-but perhaps I could do just for a short while, to encourage her on! X
 
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