[lacy]

Lol, I'm so happy with my girl

I plan on getting a video this weekend so that I can share it with you guys, but Ill have to drag my fiance to the barn kicking and screaming to do it.

For those of you who don't know- I have had my mare Indie for 2 years and she is now a 3 year old. I have worked with her as far as ground work and moved into round pen work since I have had her. We have done A LOT of desentizing stuff and have justnow started riding her.

We work in the round pen on transitions and joining up for about 20 minutes or so. AND I have been using the last 10 or 15 minutes of training to cool her out, with riding!!!!!!!!

We are working on standing when I get up there and to keep walking and to stop when I tell her. Also, we are working on standing and staying there. I HATE when horses move right after you get in the saddle or move shortly after you tell them to woe.

I havent ridden her with a bit yet and have just been using a rope halter because she is much more supple and respectful towards it. I want to do a lot more ground work with the bit before I use it riding.

I hope that I am doing it all right, but it seems to be working for us right now

BUT- just wanted to tell you guys how we are coming along and how proud I am of my girl for listening for 4 straight days so far!!!!!!!!

[lacy]

bump bumppppp

[Chester]

I am glad it is all going well.

I admit that I have never understood why break a horse to a rope halter and then have to train it to a bit. Maybe if you intended to ride in halters forever then I would understand it.

To me it is a bit like training a horse to bareback then having to go and train it to ride with a saddle.

But, what works for some won't work for others.

[lacy]

Originally Posted by Chester

I am glad it is all going well.

I admit that I have never understood why break a horse to a rope halter and then have to train it to a bit. Maybe if you intended to ride in halters forever then I would understand it.

To me it is a bit like training a horse to bareback then having to go and train it to ride with a saddle.

But, what works for some won't work for others.

Ya know, I didn't understand it either and my aunt gets on me all the time about it, but it works for my mare.

She is much more responsive with the rope halter, or even a normal halter for that matter. She pulls against the bit still and it makes her agitated, lol, so this is my way of meeting her in the middle as long as she stays being good.

I am really in no hurry with riding her as she is 3 years old and just went through another growth spurt.

SHe is ding wonderful as far as the saddle and rope or regular halter and learning to give to pressure when turning. So, as long as she remembers her manners, I will do more workon the ground with the bit before I hop up in the saddle with the bit on

I'm a bit of a wuss anyway

[Peg D]

Cool beans........... be sure to pm me with that video. Sounds like your well on your way to having a wonderful rider. Remember, consistancy and most of all your patience. But ofcourse you know that already.

[lacy]

Originally Posted by Peg D

Cool beans........... be sure to pm me with that video. Sounds like your well on your way to having a wonderful rider. Remember, consistancy and most of all your patience. But ofcourse you know that already.

Thanks Peg and I will PM you the vid.

I am honestly scared of flying off of her. I understand it will happen SOME day... lol, but no one wants to initiate it. My aunt from AZ keeps telling me to just go for it, Ill have to ride one out sooner or later. Psfft, she needs to bring her little booty over here and work that one out for me

I want to give her a bit of time off still and do not plan on having her completely broke for a while. But, I am still messing with the schedule. I find that if I take a day off, I make an excuse for the next day and then I am back to almost a month off of work.

But, she will have Saturday off because I will be going to see my mommy

[John]

You are doing good! Don't forget that they learn everything good and bad. Do some thinking before trying something new and keep it simple.

[lacy]

Originally Posted by John

You are doing good! Don't forget that they learn everything good and bad. Do some thinking before trying something new and keep it simple.

So true

I think that is why it has taken me so long to truly "start" with her. I had to figure out to break things down as little as possible. Even if I think I have it broken down all the way, if I sit back and think about it... there another step in there that I can break down again

Its like a big psychology game. I LOVE psychology

[BuddyPalAmiga]

Yay! I'm so excited for you two - glad it's going well

[Dusty1979]

It's all about progress and if you feel you are making progress, you are doing what you need to be doing.

Introduce new things when what you are doing is familiar and working. Only you know your horse, and there is only one "you". You have to do things the way you feel comfortable.

Just a "small" note though - sometimes things can go "backwards" on you! LOL Young horses (well, horses in general ) can be unpredictable. Experience teaches you what you need to do to work out these moments. Don't be afraid to get some experienced help should you come up against a wall.

Most of all, have fun teaching your young horse.