[Serenity06]

Originally Posted by KristinJ

Just a little update- I moved the lines to the lower rings and he did seem much better! No more turning around to face me, although he did attempt, I blocked him haha. We even went outside the roundpen in my large horse pastures (still fenced but much improvement to the roundpen). He was very good and walked and halted when I wanted. Sometimes he thinks 'let's go this way mom' and is a little strongwilled about direction but comes around.

One thing he does though is either he gets confused or excited, but ramdomly he will just shake his head in excitement and then ZOOM foward at either a bouncing canter or fast trot. I say WHOA, and slow him to a halt, and make him stand quietly on a 'looser' line. Is this an appropriate punishment for that behavior? I'm not really sure what else I could do to discourage him from suddenly having a stupid moment and decided to bolt (although I wouldn't really call if a bolt as he slows and listens after 2-3 strides of the canter)

I wish I could get a video but my family won't help me out =/ lol

I'm glad he did better on the lower rings!!!!

For his rushing forward when you get him stoped i would back him up a good distnce. Not just one or two steps but quite a few and ONLY stop backing when he's doing it WILLINGLY. If you show him its more work after he rushes forward then he will pobably decide its easier to NOT rush forward lol . Good luck!

[KristinJ]

Originally Posted by Serenity06

I'm glad he did better on the lower rings!!!!

For his rushing forward when you get him stoped i would back him up a good distnce. Not just one or two steps but quite a few and ONLY stop backing when he's doing it WILLINGLY. If you show him its more work after he rushes forward then he will pobably decide its easier to NOT rush forward lol . Good luck!

Thanks, I haven't really been doing the backing on the lines asmuch as JB suggested because it could lead to a rearing problem. He does back quite nicely though. I will try it and if he throws a fit or gets dangerous with the backing, I'll change that.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by KristinJ

Just a little update- I moved the lines to the lower rings and he did seem much better! No more turning around to face me, although he did attempt, I blocked him haha.

Something else too - keep the outside line low, coming around his hind end, on top of his hocks. The MOST valuable aspect of that outside line is that it acts like your leg. You can use it to keep the haunches from swinging out - very valuable for the horse who doesn't want to stay straight on a circle

One thing he does though is either he gets confused or excited, but ramdomly he will just shake his head in excitement and then ZOOM foward at either a bouncing canter or fast trot. I say WHOA, and slow him to a halt, and make him stand quietly on a 'looser' line. Is this an appropriate punishment for that behavior? I'm not really sure what else I could do to discourage him from suddenly having a stupid moment and decided to bolt (although I wouldn't really call if a bolt as he slows and listens after 2-3 strides of the canter)

At this point, shutting down that potentially escalating behavior is not a bad idea. Over time, you'll want to keep him going, but tell him to chill a bit - ask him to just do something else. Don't think of this as punishment - you aren't really punishing him. Most all training is about behavior correction - redirect his undesirable behavior into something you want him to do. "Punishment" really is aimed at things like kicking and biting.

Sounds like you and he are figuring this out

[KristinJ]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Something else too - keep the outside line low, coming around his hind end, on top of his hocks. The MOST valuable aspect of that outside line is that it acts like your leg. You can use it to keep the haunches from swinging out - very valuable for the horse who doesn't want to stay straight on a circle


At this point, shutting down that potentially escalating behavior is not a bad idea. Over time, you'll want to keep him going, but tell him to chill a bit - ask him to just do something else. Don't think of this as punishment - you aren't really punishing him. Most all training is about behavior correction - redirect his undesirable behavior into something you want him to do. "Punishment" really is aimed at things like kicking and biting.

Sounds like you and he are figuring this out

Thanks! Punishment was the best word I could describe for it, the only time he really ever gets punished is when he nips lol. I am totally loving this long lining though. I really missed riding now that I no longer lease or have anyone, and even though I'm BEHIND the horse it's lots of fun and almost feels the same, plus it's good exercise for myself! =P

[Serenity06]

Originally Posted by KristinJ

Thanks, I haven't really been doing the backing on the lines asmuch as JB suggested because it could lead to a rearing problem. He does back quite nicely though. I will try it and if he throws a fit or gets dangerous with the backing, I'll change that.

The key is to keep him as calm as possible. So when he rushes forward do as you are doing now and after he stands for a second ask him to back. Don't demand it but ask and release when he is doing it WILLINGLY. Its what i sis with my yearling (i started when he was 8months) and it has done wonders!

[MissHopesMom]

Originally Posted by Serenity06

The key is to keep him as calm as possible. So when he rushes forward do as you are doing now and after he stands for a second ask him to back. Don't demand it but ask and release when he is doing it WILLINGLY. Its what i sis with my yearling (i started when he was 8months) and it has done wonders!

We do this as well with any issues with Hope - if she's not listening, stop, back up, then ask again when I've got her attention back.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by KristinJ

I really missed riding now that I no longer lease or have anyone, and even though I'm BEHIND the horse it's lots of fun and almost feels the same, plus it's good exercise for myself! =P

Exactly why I'm going to learn to drive a cart if/when I can no longer ride

[KristinJ]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Exactly why I'm going to learn to drive a cart if/when I can no longer ride

Yes! It's a lot of fun. I have bad knees and riding just KILLS them. My doctor told me no more riding .. pshh yea right! But at the moment I have a retired horse and the yearling so no riding anyways. I drive everyday, the harness racers, but that is just around on a track. HOPEFULLY I will have the opportunity to hook my yearling to cart EVENTUALLY ... hehe.

Combined driving and those trail class obstacle driving (i don't know the name) looks like SO much fun!!