I am a beginning rider. I have been riding a 18 year old mare for some time at a woman's barn that I've been volunteering at. Well things were progressing ok, but I wasn't able to get out here for 6 weeks. Well I got on her recently and she was spooked by some birds in the arena and would not "turn left." We had to go around the opposite end. I felt like such a moron. Parelli says that some people are too forceful or are "wusses," and I am a wuss. I wanted her to go left, and she wouldn't. So I pressed my right leg into her, no luck--then pulled the left reign--she resisted--I pulled harder--and that didn't work. I even tried just stopping and standing there and trying to wheel her around by the reign. It was irritating and I was upset. I was told that if I used a crop with her she will pay attention, but what if I don't have a crop?
Can someone tell me how I can get her to turn the way I want her to without hurting her? I don't want to kick a horse in the ribs. I've seen people do that and I disagree. We have had really nice moments, this mare and I, but how do I correct something like this?
Can someone tell me how I can get her to turn the way I want her to without hurting her? I don't want to kick a horse in the ribs. I've seen people do that and I disagree. We have had really nice moments, this mare and I, but how do I correct something like this?