Ive been riding one of the B.O. horses at the boarding facility where I work. Sassy is a little QH mare that was sold to a family 6 years ago and recently returned when the husband was diagnosed with cancer (so I dont think she was returned for her issues). She has WONDERFUL ground manners,is as quiet as they come. She IS aggressive in the pen with other horses, always fighting for position.
The first time I rode her,she stood perfectly still (aside from some head tossing when I went to cinch her,Ive fixed that with some proper cinching) but as soon as I got her by the mounting block she got squirmy. And when I sat (not plopped) down on the saddle, she laid back her ears, grunted and started crow hopping. I calmed her down but until near the end of the ride she was grunting and tail swishing and when I asked for a lope off, she had a little fit with hopping and popping up and little bucks. I shut her down, backed her up, went again. Got a nice one after a few tries.
Riding in western, trying to brush up her WP by the way. The owner and B.M. both say she used to be a really nice WP horse. And when I can get her in it, she has a cute little headset, nice slow collected trot and lope. But she spends the first 3/4 of every ride fighting me to go faster. When I pull her back she slows but as soon as I give her back her head she speeds back up. She also tries to motorcycle turn every corner, falling in terribly unless I support her with my leg, but she spends WAY too much time just laying on it. And I can get the cute headset, but again, as soon as I stop asking for it she takes it back
Now we figured either she has some pain or had some barrel racing training while she was away. I buted her for a few days and did a couple rides and no change, so I dont think its pain. I took her for a ride outside to see if shes arena sour, slight change but odd results. She would only grunt when we were heading TOWARD the barn and didnt try to speed but would still drunk drive swerve and try to turn around heading away.
Ive wondered if shes just testy because she wants to let loose and run and Im holding her back, but that first mount, how upset she looked just being mounted, makes me wonder if she has issues from the barrel training. Or is this just how barrel horses are? Ive seen them at shows prancing and hopping, barely being kept under control while they wait to run. Anyones opinions would be great
The first time I rode her,she stood perfectly still (aside from some head tossing when I went to cinch her,Ive fixed that with some proper cinching) but as soon as I got her by the mounting block she got squirmy. And when I sat (not plopped) down on the saddle, she laid back her ears, grunted and started crow hopping. I calmed her down but until near the end of the ride she was grunting and tail swishing and when I asked for a lope off, she had a little fit with hopping and popping up and little bucks. I shut her down, backed her up, went again. Got a nice one after a few tries.
Riding in western, trying to brush up her WP by the way. The owner and B.M. both say she used to be a really nice WP horse. And when I can get her in it, she has a cute little headset, nice slow collected trot and lope. But she spends the first 3/4 of every ride fighting me to go faster. When I pull her back she slows but as soon as I give her back her head she speeds back up. She also tries to motorcycle turn every corner, falling in terribly unless I support her with my leg, but she spends WAY too much time just laying on it. And I can get the cute headset, but again, as soon as I stop asking for it she takes it back
Now we figured either she has some pain or had some barrel racing training while she was away. I buted her for a few days and did a couple rides and no change, so I dont think its pain. I took her for a ride outside to see if shes arena sour, slight change but odd results. She would only grunt when we were heading TOWARD the barn and didnt try to speed but would still drunk drive swerve and try to turn around heading away.
Ive wondered if shes just testy because she wants to let loose and run and Im holding her back, but that first mount, how upset she looked just being mounted, makes me wonder if she has issues from the barrel training. Or is this just how barrel horses are? Ive seen them at shows prancing and hopping, barely being kept under control while they wait to run. Anyones opinions would be great