[Plains Drifter]

I live in the north. There is snow on the ground and it's frozen..so that makes it pretty hard. I've noticed that Lillie has lost some of her manners because for the last couple of months I haven't worked her due to cold. I don't want spring/summer to roll around and have to start all over on her training. What can I do for the winter to keep her on track with her training?

 

[ridergirl23]

you could do lots of groundwork, also try walking her over tarps, blankets, anything that could be scarey. and try desensitzing her to stuff, like put tarps ON her and stuff like that... is she a young horse? if she is then maybe jsut take it slowly for the first tarp exersizes and stuff, you wouldnt want to overload her brain,lol.

 

[Plains Drifter]

She's 18 months old. I spent the summer doing round pen work with her. She walks over tarps, lets me rub it all over her. I can blanket and saddle her. I've "driven" her all over the farm. (walking next to her while she was saddled) The farrier when he did her feet this fall said she was one of the best horses he'd ever done. Asked me where she came from and even gave me a discount on her bill because she was so good.

But...because I haven't worked her since it got cold. (two months) I've noticed she's showing a bit of attitude lately. She's getting to where she is giving me attitude when I try to catch her, or she's bucking and rearing a bit.

I wasn't sure if round pen work was a good idea because she is only 18 months and the ground is hard and frozen and I didn't want to hurt her legs/joints or have her slip. So I didn't know if there was any other options besides holding out til spring