Longreining - Naughty pony!

Montyforever

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20 April 2009
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Ive been longreining for ages and ages (dont ride) but my new mares left me feeling totally useless
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With my first pony he took to it straight away, no problems.
With Honey it took ages to get her used to it but now shes pretty good.
Ive worked loads of different ponies with problems, nappy, speedy ect.
But Mysti just doesnt seem to get it
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Its like one day i teach her somthing and her slates wiped clean overnight
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Shes started bucking and rearing, pulling on the bit ect.
And i just cant seem to break the habit.
I know some ponies just dont take to it but when shes having a good day shes brilliant.
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Any ideas?
 
Maybe you need to set aside a whole day QB? Give her a shortish session early on, ending on a high. Back to the stable for an hour while you get warm again. Then another shortish session. Then another and so on, always taking it in tiny, digestible bites and looking for licking and chewing which shows the horse is thinking. I suppose each horse is as different from another one as humans are so maybe Mysti just needs longer to absorb stuff. I'm like that with quadratic equations and anything written by Stephen Hawking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Try lots of changes of rein and transitions. But most importantly, she can only pull on the bit if she's got something to pull on. Make sure that whenever you're not asking any changes of her (i.e. you're asking her to continue in a straight line at the speed at which she's going) that there is a loop in your lungelines, so that you know there is no pressure between your hand and her mouth. If she changes pace or direction then instantly correct her to return her to where / how fast you wanted her to be, and release all pressure again (it has to be a really clear release). She'll soon learn to work softly and with less of a challenging attitude!
Sue
 
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