Slow!!!

ItsAThought · 06-22-2005, 07:18 PM

I have a problem... My pony is extreamly slow! She is very nappy and just drags her feet. She doesn't respond to cues for well-- she just put her ears back and scrunched and bunches up and get slower. She gets "harder" like she becomes more solid so the cues won't afftect her as much. The crop just makes her mad... and I'm getting frustrated! I thought it was the saddle (which doesn't fit well)(don't worry, I'm trying new ones out already) But... my trainer got on her (with my saddle) and she just flowed so beautifully! It actually made me really sad! Not that she was going but that she wouldn't with me!! My trainer didn't want to be mean and said,

"Ummmm... I was expected her to be more resistent ... and ummm.. I guess... you are a little tight somewhere"

What should I do? I try not to be tight anywhere! At all! I'm just really confused!

Would love some help!!! Thanks!

AQHA_Gizmo · 06-22-2005, 07:19 PM

Why wouldn't your trainer help??

ItsAThought · 06-22-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AQHA_Gizmo

Why wouldn't your trainer help??

Oh she tries... but I just wanted to hear some opinions and get some feeback from more than just her. She is great but I don't think I'm "getting" it! lol

stockhorse · 06-22-2005, 07:56 PM

get your trainer to put you on the lunge and do lots of balance exercises,arms out in front to the sides etc etc.then ride without stirrups until the horse starts to move under you in a more relaxed frame. get your trainer to do this for 3 or 4 lessons and then try "normal"riding again and see how it goes.

Cavalier · 06-22-2005, 08:07 PM

Horses are smarter than we often give them credit for. If they can get out of work, then most of the time they will!

Horses like yours require a rider who is confident, a leader and a decision maker. Apart from being VERY clear with your aids you need to decide what you want her to do and think to yourself 'this is where we're going and this is what we're going to do'.

Don't let her get away with anything.

I'll bet that there have been a few occasions where you've been riding, asked her to do something eg, go from walk to trot, asked for a more forward, active walk etc and she hasn't done it...you've gotten off and she's thought to herself 'hhmmmm got away with that one, i'll try that again next time'...she does and she continues to win and she has learnt how to get out of work.

Good move in getting another saddle for her, get her teeth done if they haven't been done within the last 12 months and get her checked out for pain...she may be sore.

I'm surprised that your instructor hasn't come up with anymore suggestions for you?

bishopsangels · 06-22-2005, 09:07 PM

Sounds like your pony is a bossy one!
Good luck with her.

Kiwi Pony · 06-22-2005, 10:04 PM

I agree with what Cavalier said. Also, make sure once you've given your cues you *release* after she responds. If you are walking and squeeze (not kick) to trot on and she does, stop, even if it's slow. If she doesn't, use the whip sharply once behind your leg. Not 'tap tap tap tap', but smack, then stop (assuming she trots on). I think that's where a lot of resistance come in, esp with ponies, is they are constantly harassed (tho I'm not saying you're doing this!), and become resistant to the aids.

steeledancer · 06-22-2005, 10:14 PM

Sounds to me like you need to swing your hips, get your eyes up and look where you are going, and think FOREWARD. My picture of you could be totally off, and forgive me if it is, but this is just how it sounds to me. Also, you may be cueing to "hard", try easing up on her and Asking, before Demanding.

If she is still being lazy, you could do some excersises to get her moving her feet more, like rollbacks from a working trot and stuff, changing things up to get her thinking, she may be bored with what you are asking. Good Luck.

06-22-2005, 07:18 PM	#1
ItsAThought Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI Posts: 2,191 Images: 421 Blog Entries: 76	Slow!!! I have a problem... My pony is extreamly slow! She is very nappy and just drags her feet. She doesn't respond to cues for well-- she just put her ears back and scrunched and bunches up and get slower. She gets "harder" like she becomes more solid so the cues won't afftect her as much. The crop just makes her mad... and I'm getting frustrated! I thought it was the saddle (which doesn't fit well)(don't worry, I'm trying new ones out already) But... my trainer got on her (with my saddle) and she just flowed so beautifully! It actually made me really sad! Not that she was going but that she wouldn't with me!! My trainer didn't want to be mean and said, "Ummmm... I was expected her to be more resistent ... and ummm.. I guess... you are a little tight somewhere" What should I do? I try not to be tight anywhere! At all! I'm just really confused! Would love some help!!! Thanks!

06-22-2005, 09:07 PM	#6
bishopsangels Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 955 Images: 40	Sounds like your pony is a bossy one! Good luck with her. __________________ It is the blessing of old friends that you can be stupid with them~~~Ralph Waldo Emerson

06-22-2005, 10:14 PM	#8
steeledancer Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 852 Images: 22	Sounds to me like you need to swing your hips, get your eyes up and look where you are going, and think FOREWARD. My picture of you could be totally off, and forgive me if it is, but this is just how it sounds to me. Also, you may be cueing to "hard", try easing up on her and Asking, before Demanding. If she is still being lazy, you could do some excersises to get her moving her feet more, like rollbacks from a working trot and stuff, changing things up to get her thinking, she may be bored with what you are asking. Good Luck. __________________ My website: Tallman Training Centre If you think you can, you can - If you think you can't, you're right. Everything you do, do with all your might Because anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT

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06-22-2005, 07:19 PM	#2
AQHA_Gizmo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sittin' on a sidewalk in Freso...braided hair and a tye died t-shirt on... Posts: 3,948 Images: 11	Why wouldn't your trainer help??

06-22-2005, 07:56 PM	#4
stockhorse Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 453 Images: 6	get your trainer to put you on the lunge and do lots of balance exercises,arms out in front to the sides etc etc.then ride without stirrups until the horse starts to move under you in a more relaxed frame. get your trainer to do this for 3 or 4 lessons and then try "normal"riding again and see how it goes.

06-22-2005, 08:07 PM	#5
Cavalier Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,698 Images: 236 Blog Entries: 18	Horses are smarter than we often give them credit for. If they can get out of work, then most of the time they will! Horses like yours require a rider who is confident, a leader and a decision maker. Apart from being VERY clear with your aids you need to decide what you want her to do and think to yourself 'this is where we're going and this is what we're going to do'. Don't let her get away with anything. I'll bet that there have been a few occasions where you've been riding, asked her to do something eg, go from walk to trot, asked for a more forward, active walk etc and she hasn't done it...you've gotten off and she's thought to herself 'hhmmmm got away with that one, i'll try that again next time'...she does and she continues to win and she has learnt how to get out of work. Good move in getting another saddle for her, get her teeth done if they haven't been done within the last 12 months and get her checked out for pain...she may be sore. I'm surprised that your instructor hasn't come up with anymore suggestions for you?

06-22-2005, 10:04 PM	#7
Kiwi Pony Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,326 Images: 119 Blog Entries: 34	I agree with what Cavalier said. Also, make sure once you've given your cues you release after she responds. If you are walking and squeeze (not kick) to trot on and she does, stop, even if it's slow. If she doesn't, use the whip sharply once behind your leg. Not 'tap tap tap tap', but smack, then stop (assuming she trots on). I think that's where a lot of resistance come in, esp with ponies, is they are constantly harassed (tho I'm not saying you're doing this!), and become resistant to the aids.