My horse won't go forward from the leg or the whip - what can I do?

[Slk]

My mare becomes reluctant to go forwards when in season, we think she has some ovary pain which makes her tight behind the saddle, she feels like she has a handbrake on when you ride her, for want of a better description. Is she like it all the time? Or could it be hormone related? Just an idea?

Thanks and I will certainly keep an eye out for this to see if any sort of pattern / cycle starts to appear, but to date I have not noticed one so I don't think it is hormonal or ovary pain, but will keep it in mind.

 

[Kallibear]

Your three choices are a) she can't go forwards properly (sore, unbalanced etc) b) she doesn't understand what you're asking or c) she just doesn't want to go forwards.

If you're completely happy it's not A (although at 5yrs old and still growing she will be unbalanced and gangly), I supsect it's B with a little C mixed in.

Hacking and going fast in company will help. Hunting (and Common riding) will REALLY help! You want her to think fast=fun.

Having your instructor encourage her with a lunge stick may really help her too. She needs to understand what 'forwards' means, and do as she's asked when told but without you nagging. When she goes (even if it's galloping off at first), praise and encourage it. Piper is a lazy little toerag and was stuffy going forwards. Someone reminding him to keep going with a lunge whip made the world of differnce.

Ditto what other have said about blocking her. Forget about pretty outlines and even a strong contact: go into a slightly forwards seat, give her her reins if that helps and make do everything you can to make going fast easy. Once she's learnt to go, she can learn to stop again

I also found a clear 'kick' (think pony club kick but without the force behind it) rather than a constant nag was FAR more effective for Piper.

 

[Bikerchickone]

My 5 year old is exactly like this so we're doing lots and lots of fun hacking. She enjoys it, she's more forward going naturally when out and it gives us a chance to teach her voice and leg aids and praise her loudly when she gets it right. So far so good!

 

[mini-eventer]

I would get her hacking out alone asap. You said yourself she is not dangerous just babyish. So it shouldnt be too hard.

If she naps or stops and looks, sit quietly untill she gets bored and goes forward so you dont get into a stressfull fight. This may take 20min or even more so give yourself plenty of time.

you will find your confidence in each other will grow massively and it will do her the world of good.

We have ours hacking alone within weeks of being backed. They often dont see the point in going round a school.

 

[jbaxter]

I would get her hacking out alone asap. You said yourself she is not dangerous just babyish. So it shouldnt be too hard.

If she naps or stops and looks, sit quietly untill she gets bored and goes forward so you dont get into a stressfull fight. This may take 20min or even more so give yourself plenty of time.

you will find your confidence in each other will grow massively and it will do her the world of good.

We have ours hacking alone within weeks of being backed. They often dont see the point in going round a school.

I know this is from a long time ago, but I think the above is *excellent* advice and I would love to know the outcome of the issue under discussion.

 

[FairyLights]

agree with getting her hacking out. teach her to respond to the voice as well. you also need to back off with the leg aids. the more you do the less they will respond. very light aids are what are needed. it makes them listen. I know it seems the opposite of what is required but it isnt its whats needed.

 

[jbaxter]

agree with getting her hacking out. teach her to respond to the voice as well. you also need to back off with the leg aids. the more you do the less they will respond. very light aids are what are needed. it makes them listen. I know it seems the opposite of what is required but it isnt its whats needed.

What about tiny blunt spurs? My four-year-old pony has started planting himself, both in the school and while out hacking. He doesn't respond to the whip - in fact it seems to make him dig his heels in more. And he isn't asked to work for long spells in the school, just enough to establish balanced circles at the trot, changes of direction and a little bit of canter - with plenty of pauses and walking on a loose rein. Having said that, the spurs don't seem to help a great deal either. I'm far from a novice rider, but it's a long time since I schooled ponies! His tack fits very well - he's even got a Fairfax girth, but he is a little bit bum high. My feeling is that he will always be rather workshy unless it's something he wants to do. And the only thing he's ever seemed to really enjoy is hacking across fields.

 

[iconique]

mini-eventers advice is good, but one question what about reward?
Everyone has talked about what to do when she doesn't but what about when she does? Nearly every rider that I've come across with a napper (that pain isn't involved in) is very good with the heels or stick, but not so good with the reward. If she does stop wait and even if she only goes a step reward. Transitions also might be easier whilst out hacking with someone else until established, again reward with a good scratch to the neck and some praise - costs nothing!

(sorry if you already do it! it sounds obvious but is often overlooked!)

 

[jbaxter]

mini-eventers advice is good, but one question what about reward?
Everyone has talked about what to do when she doesn't but what about when she does? Nearly every rider that I've come across with a napper (that pain isn't involved in) is very good with the heels or stick, but not so good with the reward. If she does stop wait and even if she only goes a step reward. Transitions also might be easier whilst out hacking with someone else until established, again reward with a good scratch to the neck and some praise - costs nothing!

(sorry if you already do it! it sounds obvious but is often overlooked!)

Yes, I do that. In fact, when these situations arise, I'm inclined to wonder if the pony senses that I'm inherently kind and takes advantage of it! We all tend to feel inadequate at these times. And when I try just to sit it out I notice that he's quite comfortable resting a hind leg and relaxing. I do agree with the suggestion of doing the transitions out when riding on the fields. But right now I'm restricted to headlands because the crops are growing.