emmanash
Well-Known Member
Your mare sounds very similar to mine. I've come to realise that she is taking the mickey and that I've let her get away with too much over the years. She is very spooky to ride out alone, which is what we mostly do, she has been known to stop dead on a ride and refuse to move anywhere, the last time this happened was a couple of weeks ago outside a house with scaffolding up it and a load of workmen looking at us stood there like muppets! She doesn't listen to me as much when in company and likes to stick to the other horses like glue so I thought it was maybe better to go out alone.
I've started having lessons with my yard owner and she's commented on the fact that my mare is very dominant and that I need to make her work more and not worry about pushing her as she has a very keen mind and likes to be busy. We've worked on getting her more responsive and listening and i've taken this on board when out hacking too. We can already see an improvement after just a few weeks. I even took her out with 3 other horses today and although she had her moments, we had a lovely time. I think it's down to repetition and letting her know where she stands. I've been very sentimental about her because i've had her since she was a year old, but have now come to realise that it's been doing neither of us any favours! This is the year of change for us! I too have been at my wits end with her at times.
Anyway, I think it's a great idea to have a plan of action as it will help to focus you, good luck and let us know how you get on. I would say we could meet up for a ride if you're close enough but with our two girls it might not be a good idea!
I've started having lessons with my yard owner and she's commented on the fact that my mare is very dominant and that I need to make her work more and not worry about pushing her as she has a very keen mind and likes to be busy. We've worked on getting her more responsive and listening and i've taken this on board when out hacking too. We can already see an improvement after just a few weeks. I even took her out with 3 other horses today and although she had her moments, we had a lovely time. I think it's down to repetition and letting her know where she stands. I've been very sentimental about her because i've had her since she was a year old, but have now come to realise that it's been doing neither of us any favours! This is the year of change for us! I too have been at my wits end with her at times.
Anyway, I think it's a great idea to have a plan of action as it will help to focus you, good luck and let us know how you get on. I would say we could meet up for a ride if you're close enough but with our two girls it might not be a good idea!