Resistant youngster - any ideas?

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Hi guys, a youngster im schooling atm, most beautiful mare and when she stops fighting she goes beautifully and correctly. However atm thats an impossible feat!! I get her moving forward but she is like a giraffe and is just generally being difficult, naps a lot and drifts sideways (closing outside rein atm is not helping) and her concentration tends to lapse.

So i was wondering - are there any exercises you could recommend for this mare? Something to help her lower her head and work correctly and listen and concentrate?
xxx

 

[cosmo_sam]

Well my advice would be don't get into a battle. Use anything other than direct confrontation - sort of diversion tactics

With Dragon, when I get on on board, I initially keep things very small, as in I don't let him charge off in a big quick walk, but put him on slow 10m circles in the centre of the school (in walk) and then make them 10m serpentines gradually allowing the circle bigger and working towards going large.

I wouldn't stress on getting her on the bit, as it's just a battle. Once she gives and softens you can then begin to think about the harder stuff

Just focus on a good steady rhythm from your seat. Try not to block the movement with your body etc.

If he does still choose to prat about I just bend his neck to offset him using a straight neck against me, go back to a 10m circle and be ready to relax and reward him when he stops buggering about!

Works for him

 

[dieseldog]

Loads of hacking untils she feels stronger and can cope better with school work

 

[Tempi]

has she had her teeth/back/tack checked? as it sounds like more of a physical problem to me.......

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

All checked and fine - and if this horse did more hacking she'd be the next endurance champion!!
However i schooled her today and after 20minutes of resisting she then warmed into her work and we got 2full circles on each rein in a nice soft outline going forwards and correctly so it is there she just needs to get into that frame of mind - her owner has just let her pootle along and have her own way for too long so now shes being asked to work she doesnt understand why she cant just continue to pootle around