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Mare won't speed up under saddle

1K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  Palomine 
#1 ·
So i have a 15 year old mare who is great while lunging and has a ton of energy. And when i lunge her with the saddle she is also great. But when i get on she puts her head down and refuses to walk or walks veryy sllowlyy. At the trot she is a little better but not much. Kicking her practicly does nothing and same for a crop. I don't want to wear spurs. Also the saddle is not hurting her because she was great in it before she got pregnant. (She foaled May 30) i am a little nervous with her because she bucked me off before and has gave signs to do it again.
Advice would be great! Thanks!
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#2 ·
It sounds like she had a lack of respect for you. I would go back groundwork again, or roundpenning, maybe? I know you can lunge her well, under saddle, so you probably don't need to go back to that. It might be helpful to teach her to do the whole flexing, giving you her hindquarters, etc.

If not, maybe getting a trainer involved, or someone who knows horses that do this?
 
#7 ·
She has great ground manners. Its only riding thats the problem. Bareback as well and under saddle. But i will give it a try!

I can't have someone train her because my goal was to train her (more) and her foal. I could maybe see if my trainer would coach me some with her. (I have her at our farm)
Thanks!
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#3 ·
Check saddle fit. Just because the saddle fit her at one point doesn't mean it always will. Their backs change as their weight and muscling changes.

Dont allow her to drag her head down either.

Without seeing video that's all I can really suggest. What is your background with her and riding in general? What about the horse's education?
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#5 ·
I know the saddle still fits her. How do i keep her from dragging her head down? When i pull up on her she flattens her ears and stops.
I rode her a ton before her pregnancy, she was great! Kept her head up and was able to do many things. Now it's like she has no motivation. She was trained before i got her, but i do know she was a trail horse.. I trained her for English and western after that.
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#4 ·
Its possible the saddle is too tight and restricting her movements once a rider is on board - having the foal could have changed her shape as she's probably unfit and her muscles need to get back in trim
When you lunge her do you use some sort of verbal cues that you then use along side your leg/seat cues from the saddle?
Have you tried asking someone to lunge her while you're on her?
How much ridden work had she done prior to foaling and how much of that was with you?
 
#6 ·
I have been getting her back in shape for three months and she's built up quite a lot of muscle. How would i know if the saddle is too tight? And is there a way to change that without buying a new one?
Yes i cluck to her to move forward and 'whoa' to slow or stop. And kiss to canter. But she just ignores them when i am on her.

I will try having my mom lunge her while i ride today, thanks!

I rode her 6 days a week before she got pregnant and she even got some blue ribbons in shows. I rode her for about a year and a half before. Her first owner just used her as a trail horse. She has good ground manners tho
Thank you!
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#8 ·
See what she's like when your mum lunges her with you on board and report back
If she's still reluctant to move then see if your vet can recommend a good equine physio or chiro who can go over her and be able to tell if there's any indication of the saddle causing soreness or tight muscles - it could even be that having the foal's given her some muscle problems that need a bit of help to iron out - these things are often only 'felt' by a horse when its got the weight of a saddle and rider on it
 
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