Trouble and I have been working under saddle, and it's been going great. We've broken out of the round pen (literally, a windstorm blew it to pieces) and have been hitting the road. He's been working off my leg nicely, etc etc.
I have some scenarios I'd like y'all to pretend you're in!
Sometimes trouble likes to test me, nothing too serious- sometimes he will walk a little too fast for my liking, or root a bit, or shake his head and look a little nasty. I correct him with a slap on the shoulder with the crop or the reins, it works for us- and that's the thing that counts. Usually just a verbal "NO" works, and we don't get as far as a swat.
My mother watched me ride, and ripped me apart about correcting him. That particular day the flies were bad and he wanted to trot up the hill. I said "WALK" in a stern voice and he walked up the hill. She freaked about how I should have yanked his head around and made him do circles, then slap him with the reins and make him lope up the hill. Now to me, that seems like it defeats the purpose. Like: he tries to trot up the hill, so he's corrected by (to him) harsh reprimanding, then he's told to do exactly what he was reprimanded for and rush up the hill? Mum used to do speed events a few years ago, and I don't think she gets that I don't need to get that loud and "in his face" anymore. When I first started ground work, yes. Now? No.
But I want to have an open mind to others training techniques so how would you correct the following, personally, on a learning, green horse
Head shaking/rooting-
Speeding up without being asked-
Crow hopping-
Let's also say these are all behavioural, all pain issues and tack fitting issues ruled out.
I have some scenarios I'd like y'all to pretend you're in!
Sometimes trouble likes to test me, nothing too serious- sometimes he will walk a little too fast for my liking, or root a bit, or shake his head and look a little nasty. I correct him with a slap on the shoulder with the crop or the reins, it works for us- and that's the thing that counts. Usually just a verbal "NO" works, and we don't get as far as a swat.
My mother watched me ride, and ripped me apart about correcting him. That particular day the flies were bad and he wanted to trot up the hill. I said "WALK" in a stern voice and he walked up the hill. She freaked about how I should have yanked his head around and made him do circles, then slap him with the reins and make him lope up the hill. Now to me, that seems like it defeats the purpose. Like: he tries to trot up the hill, so he's corrected by (to him) harsh reprimanding, then he's told to do exactly what he was reprimanded for and rush up the hill? Mum used to do speed events a few years ago, and I don't think she gets that I don't need to get that loud and "in his face" anymore. When I first started ground work, yes. Now? No.
But I want to have an open mind to others training techniques so how would you correct the following, personally, on a learning, green horse
Head shaking/rooting-
Speeding up without being asked-
Crow hopping-
Let's also say these are all behavioural, all pain issues and tack fitting issues ruled out.