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Mare naughty half-way through ride

3K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  farmpony84 
#1 ·
I have been working with a morgan mare since she was five (and now she's six :). But recently half-way through our rides, even if we have only been working for ten minutes, she will start getting extremely stubborn. She lay her ears back and stop dead in her tracks. If I try to keep her moving she'll start going backwards in circles and fling her head around and bump my foot. I keep pressure on her, even using a crop when the need arises ,though I hate doing it, and she'll go however she'll throw a buck in here and there. If I have no control and I feel frustrated, I go back to where I we have a working connection even if it is the walk. I only stop our ride when she is finally good, and I try to make them short working our why up to a longer time. However, each time I get back on she keeps on being naughty so I would love so advice.
p.s. And I'm pretty sure that it is not her tack. I use a bitless bridle and a comfy gel-like girth.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I have the same problem with my horse Stella (a 10-11 month old miniture mare).
She is finally learning the basics (walking and stopping) next im working on trooting and canter. Every 5 seconds, she'll stop cold in her tracks and i have to kick her a little bit to get her going. (Im small so i can ride her) i tried treats, they worked only if i got off every 10 minutes.She is spoiled like her dad (a 6 year old VERY bad stallion he kicks,bites,rears and laids back ears).So maybe you should try giving her treats and giving her breaks once in a while
 
#3 ·
You should probably not give anyone advice. Minature horses are not generally used for riding and at 10-11 months no horse should be ridden by anyone regardless of size. I must stop now before I hurt your feelings.
 
#4 ·
I have been working with a morgan mare since she was five (and now she's six :). But recently half-way through our rides, even if we have only been working for ten minutes, she will start getting extremely stubborn. She lay her ears back and stop dead in her tracks. If I try to keep her moving she'll start going backwards in circles and fling her head around and bump my foot. I keep pressure on her, even using a crop when the need arises ,though I hate doing it, and she'll go however she'll throw a buck in here and there. If I have no control and I feel frustrated, I go back to where I we have a working connection even if it is the walk. I only stop our ride when she is finally good, and I try to make them short working our why up to a longer time. However, each time I get back on she keeps on being naughty so I would love so advice.
p.s. And I'm pretty sure that it is not her tack. I use a bitless bridle and a comfy gel-like girth.

Get a proffesional adult to help you.
 
#7 ·
Have you checked saddle fit? A horse's back is always growing a changing, no matter their age. Some horses are quite senstive to this and may act out in bizzare ways. Also check to see if anything is rubbing or digging into her skin; boots, girths, and the bridle. Make sure your noseband isn't too low, make sure it isn't something you're doing.
You didn't make any mention of what you guys are working on, but I would suggest - after the above is checked - just going back to working on forwardness. A lot of the time, a horse may be acting out to tell that she feels uncomfortable, or that you're moving too fast with her. Another suggestion: take a lesson with a respectable trainer. Sometimes they can give you a solution that works right away.
Also, vary up her routine. Horses can actually get bored and depressed with arena work. The hot or naughty ones sometimes feel the need to be challenged in work, or need to get out and do other things. For example, in a week, have three days of riding, one day to go on a hack or trail ride, one day of "play time" (I know a horse that likes rolling around an exercise ball!), and two days off.
 
#8 ·
I agree with the advice to get a professional to help you.

I would start with something causing her pain. A professional can help you determine if your tack is fitting her properly.

Bitless does not mean pain free. Have you had her teeth checked recently?
 
#12 ·
Wow, if you are only 8yo then I would think you would be more respectful of adults and that is most certainly not language that an 8yo should be using.

But lets take your post at face value - even if she is the only horse you have to ride right now, it most certainly does not make it ok for you to ride such a young horse, does it?
 
#14 ·
Yeah Taylor, what about these other posts you have made? You seem to have other horses.

i have 6 horses counting the sold one i just don't have a picture of my horse Stella i'll check and see if i have some pics of her. thanks
i own 5 horses and 4 miniatures.I look for breeding.I have 2 miniature mares
a filly 10-11 months old and a mare she's under the age of 10.
I looked at her teeth.Fillies are very frisky (well mine is).none of my horses are registered (unless my aunt did).I have a show stallion,but i can't put him in shows (he doesn't have his papers)
If she is a good horse and is nice enough for show,i would buy her,on the other hand,if she is not a great show horse i wouldn't.
I have the same problem with my 19 year old QH mare (One time i tried to put a bit in her mouth and she tore a piece of wood and a metal bar off).She is usually a good horse......yea right.I can't even put a halter on her in the pasture!, and on a young horse i would use a hackmore, then when she gets older try a real bit
I would clip him then put a blanket on him so he doesn't get too cold.My horse Molly a 19 year old QH looks terrible right now.She hates clippers (the noise of them) so i can't clip her.I have five horses ( i lost my camrea).
And are you boarding or are you not boarding?

I don't board my horses, (i have 5 ) but my horses get bullied around the
pasture.
I have 4 minitures charlie,stella,luruance,and bubba (bubba has beautiful features he was bred by my aunt a judge in minitures and full size horses)
and a full size 16.2 19 year old QH and she bullies my smaller horses
ALL the time.lol.

Thanks!

taylor
Oh,i pay 300 for boarding a month and 50 for a day.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Her number of horses seems to change on a per post basis, too.

I think we have someone 'wish posting' instead of actually owning any horses. They probably all belong to her aunt, or some other relative.

Besides, if she's really 8 y/o, she's not allowed to post on this BB without a parent's/guardian's permission. Which I'll bet she didn't bother to get.

Again, where are her parents?! Letting a young child loose on the interwebz without parental controls is dangerous. We're a relatively harmless group, but there are places out there that aren't so nice.
 
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