Not responding to whip

[lifewithflash]

I'm wanting to teach my 3 year old some groundwork and we having some problems.

one being him not listening to a whip, like at all. he's not scared of it. I can make as much nouse with it as possible and give him taps but he just stands there.
I've looked everywhere for videos and tips for helping me teach him to listen to it but found nothing.

second being him not understanding pressure and release. for example, if I put pressure on the rope to get him to lower his head, he doesn't try to fight it but he also does give in to it. he just stands there or walks away.

I don't have an arena but have a little field and can't go in there as he just constantly pulls to the grass and its like a hill, really uneven. however, we play in the field when I take him back in because that is the only place he really listens to me. he not very relaxed tho.

he went through a stage where he would pull to the grass back to the field and I would spend like 2 hours trying to catch him, he even pulled my cousin over twice. but I learned how to handle him better and he's not as bad, still pull but I can stop him. he's been growing and filling out more and I think he's released that he's bigger and stronger than me so he can just pull.

hes a really sweet and loves people but doesn't listen. I just recently gotten him to trot on a lead rope as before I would be dragging him. just need some advice that might help him listen a bit more.

picture of him when I got him (around 11 months ish) and now (3 years old)

 

[MagicMelon]

Do you have any experience bringing on a 3yo? An idea of your experience might help guide some helpful advice? He looks very cute!

 

[lifewithflash]

Do you have any experience bringing on a 3yo? An idea of your experience might help guide some helpful advice? He looks very cute

he's my first youngster but I've had horses my whole life and I have a 22 year old who I've had 5 years.

 

[Nasicus]

He doesn't understand what's being asked of him, or rather, he doesn't understand pressure and release. Same goes for the whip, he needs to be taught what you're asking him to do.
I would seek out a trainer who can assist you in groundwork, as if he doesn't understand these things by now, he needs to be taught these pretty sharpish, now he's a big lump of a lad and you're looking to do more with him.

 

[ihatework]

He doesn’t understand so you probably aren’t asking/training it right. Get some training for you both, will be very worth it.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

He doesn't understand what's being asked of him, or rather, he doesn't understand pressure and release. Same goes for the whip, he needs to be taught what you're asking him to do.
I would seek out a trainer who can assist you in groundwork, as if he doesn't understand these things by now, he needs to be taught these pretty sharpish, now he's a big lump of a lad and you're looking to do more with him.

Second this

 

[SDMabel]

I'd defo get a professional in to help you , before it gets dangerous.

Once they know they can throw their weight about to get what they want it's no fun for anyone

 

[lifewithflash]

I'd defo get a professional in to help you , before it gets dangerous.

Once they know they can throw their weight about to get what they want it's no fun for any

do u know what to look for when looking for a professional? I never know who to trust

 

[Burnttoast]

do u know what to look for when looking for a professional? I never know who to trust

If you say roughly where you are someone may be able to recommend a person.

 

[lifewithflash]

If you say roughly where you are someone may be able to recommend a person.

north east england.

 

[dottylottie]

he needs to understand pressure and release before he can understand the whip is an extension of your arm. my 4yo was exactly the same, no reaction whatsoever to a whip but on thinking about it she had no understanding of the concept - she wouldn’t move over for love nor money, so we worked on it and she’ll shift no bother now, although admittedly we haven’t bothered with the whip since because i taught her to stand at the mounting block without one, and that’s all i wanted to work on with it at the time

with regards to towing you all over the place, again, exact same with mine i just lead her in her bridle, and once she realised it wasn’t worth the fight she was fine in the headcollar. if i hand graze her at all, we’re back to square one for a few days!

 

[lifewithflash]

he needs to understand pressure and release before he can understand the whip is an extension of your arm. my 4yo was exactly the same, no reaction whatsoever to a whip but on thinking about it she had no understanding of the concept - she wouldn’t move over for love nor money, so we worked on it and she’ll shift no bother now, although admittedly we haven’t bothered with the whip since because i taught her to stand at the mounting block without one, and that’s all i wanted to work on with it at the time

with regards to towing you all over the place, again, exact same with mine i just lead her in her bridle, and once she realised it wasn’t worth the fight she was fine in the headcollar. if i hand graze her at all, we’re back to square one for a few days!

I lead flash in a bridle for a bit as that was my cousin and horsey friends said for a couple of times and he stopped pulling. I can now lead him in a headcollar to the field and he's mostly okay.

I understand that he doesn't know what pressure and release is. he can do hq yieds with me just walking towards his hind end and pulling a bit on the lead but as soon as I add a whip he just looks at me like im crazy

he lives out 24/7 but he's so greedy and just constantly wants grass.

 

[SDMabel]

do u know what to look for when looking for a professional? I never know who to trust

If you do facebook, it may be worth posting in local horse groups looking for recommendations.

I'd have a detailed phone conversation first and then get them out and get a good feel for them in that first session - they will need to work with both you and pony.

 

[southerncomfort]

As well as eyes on the ground, I'd highly recommend Richard Maxwell's book 'From Birth to Backing'.

 

[lifewithflash]

If you do facebook, it may be worth posting in local horse groups looking for recommendations.

I'd have a detailed phone conversation first and then get them out and get a good feel for them in that first session - they will need to work with both you and pony.

thank you, will have a look.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Tracey Lawrie Streatlam Park Barnard Castle could help you and will travel.

 

[sbloom]

Tracey Lawrie Streatlam Park Barnard Castle could help you and will travel.

If she's the lady that does Straightness Training then I've heard her being recommended by people I respect too.