Leasing Pocket!

Horsez · 07-15-2008, 12:55 PM

Tuesday - Day two.

I am so proud of how Pocket is coming along. He went from a nervous horse who would spook at a laugh, and he also had horrible manners too. He would bite, wouldn't open his mouth for the bit, do crazy bucks that were impossible to stay on, he would stop at the jumps, chew on his reins, and bolt.

Now he's a dream. No more biting, and now he's opening his mouth now for the bit, he never bucks, and he would jump anything for me.

* * *

Today, I decided to work on ground poles, and I used some skinny poles to help him stay in center. He was a little scared by them and tried to avoid them, but I told him to go forward and he did.

I took three poles and stacked them on top of one another, just like a pyramid. The first time Pocket went over it at a walk, he slowed down to check it out then did a bunny hop over it and landed cantering.

I took him over it again at a walk and he was better, but still did a little hop and would land cantering. Now this horse loves poles and taking the long spot over them. It's the opposite of the jumps. He likes to chip at the jumps but make a huge effort over a tiny little pole.

After trotting over it a couple of times, he relaxed and settled down. I cantered up to it and I saw that huge long spot he loves to take and we are also heading towards the gate. I ask him to collect and fit that extra stride in, and when I thought he was going to soar over it, he fit in the extra step!

I was so proud and happy. I gave him a huge pat and lots of treats afterwards.

* * *

After the lease with Pocket, I could hack a little pony named Shadow and we did the same exercise at a walk, trot, and canter. Shadow has been a school pony there for many years. Coming home towards the gate, to the same pole I did with Pocket, he hears the tractor and starts to bolt and jumped the pole and started his bucking fit by the gate.

By now, of course being there for so many years he shouldn't spook at the tractor. I've ridden him many times when the tractor was driving somewhere nearby and he was fine. I think he just wanted me off. He's used to beginners not asking him to do anything and when I got on and made him actually go, he was mad and he wanted me off. So I sit back and make him stop. He's so angry right now, so I make him back up and he gave in.

I knew I could win that "battle" so when I asked him to canter the other way, he was dead on perfect.

Just had to share! Thank you for reading.

Liz906 · 07-15-2008, 01:05 PM

Thats awesome ! You guys must have come along so far !
you should be proud [:

moondust · 07-15-2008, 01:08 PM

I'm so happy that you have pocket now!

Horsez · 07-15-2008, 01:10 PM

Thanks you two. The whole Buddy thing has shaken me up, so Pocket is my rehab.

iwovjerry · 07-15-2008, 01:17 PM

thats awesome that you have fixed those problems it gives you the accomplished feel and maybe working with pocket will take your mind off buddy.

Gallop N Gal · 07-15-2008, 01:34 PM

Im glad Pocket was a good boy! Sounds like you work with him nicely

FallenAngel · 07-15-2008, 02:42 PM

Awee sorry to hear about the whole buddy thing, but sounds like ur doing great with pocket!
Congrats

Horsez · 07-18-2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks everyone.

TB4life · 07-18-2008, 11:49 AM

Yay!
You know what would be awesomer then a written updates..?..
PICTURES!

Horsez · 07-18-2008, 11:51 AM

I need to bring the camera one of these days!

07-15-2008, 12:55 PM	#1
Horsez Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,315 Images: 4	Leasing Pocket! Tuesday - Day two. I am so proud of how Pocket is coming along. He went from a nervous horse who would spook at a laugh, and he also had horrible manners too. He would bite, wouldn't open his mouth for the bit, do crazy bucks that were impossible to stay on, he would stop at the jumps, chew on his reins, and bolt. Now he's a dream. No more biting, and now he's opening his mouth now for the bit, he never bucks, and he would jump anything for me. * * * Today, I decided to work on ground poles, and I used some skinny poles to help him stay in center. He was a little scared by them and tried to avoid them, but I told him to go forward and he did. I took three poles and stacked them on top of one another, just like a pyramid. The first time Pocket went over it at a walk, he slowed down to check it out then did a bunny hop over it and landed cantering. I took him over it again at a walk and he was better, but still did a little hop and would land cantering. Now this horse loves poles and taking the long spot over them. It's the opposite of the jumps. He likes to chip at the jumps but make a huge effort over a tiny little pole. After trotting over it a couple of times, he relaxed and settled down. I cantered up to it and I saw that huge long spot he loves to take and we are also heading towards the gate. I ask him to collect and fit that extra stride in, and when I thought he was going to soar over it, he fit in the extra step! I was so proud and happy. I gave him a huge pat and lots of treats afterwards. * * * After the lease with Pocket, I could hack a little pony named Shadow and we did the same exercise at a walk, trot, and canter. Shadow has been a school pony there for many years. Coming home towards the gate, to the same pole I did with Pocket, he hears the tractor and starts to bolt and jumped the pole and started his bucking fit by the gate. By now, of course being there for so many years he shouldn't spook at the tractor. I've ridden him many times when the tractor was driving somewhere nearby and he was fine. I think he just wanted me off. He's used to beginners not asking him to do anything and when I got on and made him actually go, he was mad and he wanted me off. So I sit back and make him stop. He's so angry right now, so I make him back up and he gave in. I knew I could win that "battle" so when I asked him to canter the other way, he was dead on perfect. Just had to share! Thank you for reading. __________________ You mount and dismount as two, but you ride as one.

07-15-2008, 01:05 PM	#2
Liz906 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 189 Images: 2	Thats awesome ! You guys must have come along so far ! you should be proud [: __________________ Liz

07-15-2008, 01:08 PM	#3
moondust Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,669 Images: 211	I'm so happy that you have pocket now! __________________ Proud president of the saddle-less club To Moondust: "We fit together like a hand in glove, and when I'm with you I feel nothing but love!" Thanks ureventer for my beautiful avatar.

07-15-2008, 01:10 PM	#4
Horsez Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,315 Images: 4	Thanks you two. The whole Buddy thing has shaken me up, so Pocket is my rehab. __________________ You mount and dismount as two, but you ride as one.

07-15-2008, 01:17 PM	#5
iwovjerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, Nor Cal Posts: 403 Images: 52	thats awesome that you have fixed those problems it gives you the accomplished feel and maybe working with pocket will take your mind off buddy. __________________ When life gives you lemons...you trade them in for apples.

07-15-2008, 01:34 PM	#6
Gallop N Gal Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Land O' Cheese Posts: 4,104 Images: 722 Blog Entries: 2	Im glad Pocket was a good boy! Sounds like you work with him nicely __________________ *It Takes More Muscles to Frown* ......Than to Smile!**

07-15-2008, 02:42 PM	#7
FallenAngel Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chilliwack, BC Posts: 4,161 Images: 283 Blog Entries: 15	Awee sorry to hear about the whole buddy thing, but sounds like ur doing great with pocket! Congrats __________________ You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it And She would rather tumble off her horse, Than fall for a boy </3

07-18-2008, 11:21 AM	#8
Horsez Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,315 Images: 4	Thanks everyone. __________________ You mount and dismount as two, but you ride as one.

07-18-2008, 11:49 AM	#9
TB4life Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SC Posts: 2,078 Images: 8	Yay! You know what would be awesomer then a written updates..?.. PICTURES! __________________ I. need. a. new. signature.

07-18-2008, 11:51 AM	#10
Horsez Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,315 Images: 4	I need to bring the camera one of these days! __________________ You mount and dismount as two, but you ride as one.

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