[2Flashy4UMorgan]

Alright, as you can see, I posted pics of J.R. in the critique my horse section. He's doing pretty good as far as his relaxation and tempo. I try and encourage him to go long and low. He used to be very hyper and quick but as soon as I started to encourage this he started understanding what I wanted. I used to take up too much contact and try to get him "on the bit" then I thought to myself...what am I doing? He's too young and he doesn't even understand the basics yet. So I brought him back to those basics and I'm taking it slow. Like I said, he's been doing good, but yesterday we had a horrible ride, its like he forgot everything I've taught him in the last few weeks.
I KNOW we all have bad rides but I was thinking after and trying to pinpoint some outside causes. He just wasn't paying attention and he wouldn't soften or relax after warmup like usual. His attitude was back and he was just fighting me like he used to.
Thinking back on it, I think my first mistake was taking him out at feeding time, I have done it before, but I haven't done it in a while and I think it just made him grumpy not to be back at the barn eating with the other horses. I know I wouldn't want to work when I'm expecting food.
I try to: have a nice long walk warmup, get the trot steady (both me and him) before I ask for long and low and I think its better to ride either midmorning or late evening.
I dunno, anyone have any tips for getting a good ride out of a young horse??? It doesn't matter how small or big of a thing, I just want some tips. Even if its groundwork before you ride. Any little thing would help. Thanks

[freedom32]

An off day is going to happen now and again, I wouldn't let it bother you too much. I peeked at your pictures, he looks really good to me, so you are definitly making nice progress. If he is having a day where he doesn't want to pay attention try to bring his focus back to you with circles, figure 8's, and gait changes, half halts, etc when his mind starts to wander. Try not to get frustrated, even though its easier said than done! Also a 'break day' might be in order now and again, go for a trail ride, run a barrel pattern, do something just for fun!

[2Flashy4UMorgan]

Thanks for the advise. Yah he had his break day the day before that lol. I just hate having those days b/c then you start to get frustrated basically you and your horse just end up "arguing" the whole time lol. I just hope he doesn't hate me.

[skysthelimit]

do you lunge him? What type of bit do you use? I always lunge my horses and teach them the word 'easy'. Easy means that they need to slow their pace without breaking their gait or they will do a dreaded 'circle' (oh no, lol). The only time easy means do a slower gait is if light bit pressure is applied (or leg is removed). I ride western, I don't know which seat you're in, but lunging for focus and 'easy' for slow helped me. ~Brit

[SuZQuzie]

The great thing about horses is that they forgive easily. If you have one bad day, they will still run up to the fence & give you a nicker the next.

[JBandRio]

All horses are ADD The young ones are just more ADD more of the time LOL

As other said, you will just have these days. If you find yourself headed towards one, then just keep the session short and work on things he already knows how to do. Don't let him do anything for any length of time - change things up frequently. This will start to get him focused on you because he won't get into the mindset of "ok, we're trotting now, we're just gonna keep trotting and that's boring so what can I do to make it fun OH LOOK a leaf let me stop and look no wait that's boring let me leap over it yeah that's much more fun oh cool there's a shadow on the ground I HAVE to jump over that and pretend it's going to eat me". Then quit while you are ahead

[2Flashy4UMorgan]

Originally Posted by skysthelimit

do you lunge him? What type of bit do you use? I always lunge my horses and teach them the word 'easy'. Easy means that they need to slow their pace without breaking their gait or they will do a dreaded 'circle' (oh no, lol). The only time easy means do a slower gait is if light bit pressure is applied (or leg is removed). I ride western, I don't know which seat you're in, but lunging for focus and 'easy' for slow helped me. ~Brit

I lunge him, not every time, but I do. I use a french training snaffle...the one with the link in the middle. I was using a plain snaffle, but someone suggested that one. Yah, I am also trying to get him to respond to "easy" b/c my friend uses that with her horses too. He'll listen sometimes and I also circle him when he gets faster to slow him but the second we leave the cirlce he's trottin quickly again. Ugh it was prolly just a bad day lol.

[2Flashy4UMorgan]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

he won't get into the mindset of "ok, we're trotting now, we're just gonna keep trotting and that's boring so what can I do to make it fun OH LOOK a leaf let me stop and look no wait that's boring let me leap over it yeah that's much more fun oh cool there's a shadow on the ground I HAVE to jump over that and pretend it's going to eat me". Then quit while you are ahead

Lol yah thats him sometimes

[JBandRio]

If the horse doesn't lunge, or you prefer not to lunge, a great way to get the ADD horse focused a little is to do some ground work. Anything that requires him to concentrate on what you are asking, but not necessarily difficult. You want him to focus, but also to have a sense of accomplishment and pride. This type of groundwork isn't the time to try new things, as you don't want to get him frustrated or concerned before you get on - opposite of what you are trying to do.

[EternalDreamer]

I've been working on my horse for 3 years, and this past spring we finally worked out of the young ADD version of a horse, so there is hope!
Just keep in mind that your horse is young, so of course he can't handle everything an older horse might and you have to take it slower, also remember almost everything to him might be scary and there are new things everywhere.

I always free lunge my horse before riding. Not only does this keep her muscular but on windy days or days she feels like a young one again it helps her run off steam at her pace. I usually just plop (well..maybe not literally) her in the arena and shake the whip and let her decide how fast she wants to go, with a minimum of 10 minutes trotting in each direction.

I think its just something that will take time. Young horses are going to have off days and you just have to remember quality not quantity on these days. If that means on an off day you just take your horse out and do groundwork for a while instead of the ride you had planned, then maybe that woul be better. Don't set yourself up to fail or be miserable! If you think something may go terrible wait untill the beginning of the next session to work on it, don't end on it!