Stretching or just not doing it right.

Paintlover · 07-21-2004, 05:50 PM

I am training (what we think is a Tbx) a horse and he is learning very fast. I saddled him up and bridled him. After a few days I hooked up a lead rope from the bit, through the stirrups, and wrapped them around the horn. I keep the against his neck with an english stirrup leather. When I longed him at first, he had is head and neck stretched way out in front of him (horizontal). When I hooked up the 'side reins' he put his head to the ground (almost steps on the reins). He is not trying to eat the grass so why is he doing this. I know (in dressage terms) that horses will stretch but it usually takes a while, and when they learn how to do it, they sometimes just keep their head and neck down there because it feels good. He is dropping from the withers and he has a gorgeous arch to his neck. Do you think he is stretching or just doing it for some unknown reason. I have never seen a horse (from on the ground) stretch but I have ridden two horses which will. I will post pics as soon as I can.
M.
-also, when I take of the side reins, he still does it, but not at the canter at first, he's still learning the cue.

truckinnhorsin · 07-21-2004, 06:10 PM

Is he moving his mouth at all? and/or locking his ear on you? And does he do it without the bridle on?

If you listen to any natural horsemanship people, thats just a sign that hes admitting that your boss, etc etc. Check out ... i believe its chris irwin... from canada, or any like that... and its a body language thing. If hes doing what i think your saying he does. First he locks his ear on you, then puts his head down, then starts "chewing"

If thats not it, then dunno! *shrug*

good luck.
Teni

Paintlover · 07-21-2004, 06:20 PM

Yes, he mouths the bit, but he starts it as soon as I get the bridle on (by the time I get to the pasture to lunge him, his mouth is nice and foamy. His ear goes on and off me. He hasn't completely admitted me as boss yet, I know. At first, when we got him, he was nuts! Ran over me, ran away from me, walked off, stopped -- all when I didn't want him to. He has almost 100% respect. When I first tried walking him on the lunge, he'd kick at me (not to boss me, he had this VERY wierd, scared look to his eyes. So I just kept asking him to walk, not pressing him any harder than my first request, but not softer. Then he gained respect at the walk and didn't kick. Then I asked him to trot. He kicked (not at me though) but I kept calm and used my patience. Normally I'd make a horse WORK if he tried kicking but there was something odd about him. Now I have the same thing going at the canter. Over the last few days his kicking and bolting have gone way down. But he still is, and that is why I know he isn't doing it just to submit (you'd really have to see it, I can't explain at all). When I stop and turn (I don't have a round pen to do join-up, so I'm stuck with a stupid longe line version), he doesn't come -- tries walking off to his buddies. Why on earth did I just type all of this??? I really don't know. :S

Paintlover · 07-21-2004, 06:21 PM

grr, the -- :S -- didn't work.

Paintlover · 07-22-2004, 04:49 AM

Anyone?? Hello?

cassidy · 07-22-2004, 04:59 AM

im just training my tb x an he does that he is only doing it in protest as he is not used to them on the lunge just send him forward he should learn to cope with it lunge him a few more times like that but remembe dont out the side reins to short to soon !!

good luck eith him an have fun!!

Paintlover · 07-22-2004, 05:24 AM

He only started doing it when I hooked the 'side reins' up (very loose!). But he does it w/o them on too. I'm kind of confused with his behaviour. He'll do it at a WP jog too. I only do 'the jog' when he starts going to fast

07-21-2004, 05:50 PM	#1
Paintlover Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,575	Stretching or just not doing it right. I am training (what we think is a Tbx) a horse and he is learning very fast. I saddled him up and bridled him. After a few days I hooked up a lead rope from the bit, through the stirrups, and wrapped them around the horn. I keep the against his neck with an english stirrup leather. When I longed him at first, he had is head and neck stretched way out in front of him (horizontal). When I hooked up the 'side reins' he put his head to the ground (almost steps on the reins). He is not trying to eat the grass so why is he doing this. I know (in dressage terms) that horses will stretch but it usually takes a while, and when they learn how to do it, they sometimes just keep their head and neck down there because it feels good. He is dropping from the withers and he has a gorgeous arch to his neck. Do you think he is stretching or just doing it for some unknown reason. I have never seen a horse (from on the ground) stretch but I have ridden two horses which will. I will post pics as soon as I can. M. -also, when I take of the side reins, he still does it, but not at the canter at first, he's still learning the cue.

07-22-2004, 04:59 AM	#6
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,498 Images: 816	im just training my tb x an he does that he is only doing it in protest as he is not used to them on the lunge just send him forward he should learn to cope with it lunge him a few more times like that but remembe dont out the side reins to short to soon !! good luck eith him an have fun!! __________________ May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

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07-21-2004, 06:10 PM	#2
truckinnhorsin Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ontario. Well htats where college is.. Posts: 25	Is he moving his mouth at all? and/or locking his ear on you? And does he do it without the bridle on? If you listen to any natural horsemanship people, thats just a sign that hes admitting that your boss, etc etc. Check out ... i believe its chris irwin... from canada, or any like that... and its a body language thing. If hes doing what i think your saying he does. First he locks his ear on you, then puts his head down, then starts "chewing" If thats not it, then dunno! shrug good luck. Teni

07-21-2004, 06:20 PM	#3
Paintlover Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,575	Yes, he mouths the bit, but he starts it as soon as I get the bridle on (by the time I get to the pasture to lunge him, his mouth is nice and foamy. His ear goes on and off me. He hasn't completely admitted me as boss yet, I know. At first, when we got him, he was nuts! Ran over me, ran away from me, walked off, stopped -- all when I didn't want him to. He has almost 100% respect. When I first tried walking him on the lunge, he'd kick at me (not to boss me, he had this VERY wierd, scared look to his eyes. So I just kept asking him to walk, not pressing him any harder than my first request, but not softer. Then he gained respect at the walk and didn't kick. Then I asked him to trot. He kicked (not at me though) but I kept calm and used my patience. Normally I'd make a horse WORK if he tried kicking but there was something odd about him. Now I have the same thing going at the canter. Over the last few days his kicking and bolting have gone way down. But he still is, and that is why I know he isn't doing it just to submit (you'd really have to see it, I can't explain at all). When I stop and turn (I don't have a round pen to do join-up, so I'm stuck with a stupid longe line version), he doesn't come -- tries walking off to his buddies. Why on earth did I just type all of this??? I really don't know. :S

07-21-2004, 06:21 PM	#4
Paintlover Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,575	grr, the -- :S -- didn't work.

07-22-2004, 04:49 AM	#5
Paintlover Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,575	Anyone?? Hello?

07-22-2004, 05:24 AM	#7
Paintlover Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,575	He only started doing it when I hooked the 'side reins' up (very loose!). But he does it w/o them on too. I'm kind of confused with his behaviour. He'll do it at a WP jog too. I only do 'the jog' when he starts going to fast