He was such a bad pony every day I rode! Its like he had totally forgotten everything we had learned over the past few months. He was SO concerned with everything outside the ring and it was all I could do to get him focused. I admit, I reverted to using force....I did small figured 8s at the sitting trot and severely overbent him to the inside to get him to quit trying to look at everything. It would work for a few strides and something else would catch his attention. I was so frustrated.
On Saturday morning, I pulled him out of the pasture and he seemed like he was going to be cooperative. Until! he got saddled up and taken into the arena, where he decided to begin the stupid's all over again. I pulled out my Clinton Anderson moves and got his looky butt moving around me with intent. Backing, circling, reversing. Whatever it took to focus him. Its a good thing I didn't have that long plastic stick CA uses or I would have beaten Skate I was so peeved. I then lunged him until he was begging for mercy. Only then did I hop on and the ride turned out to be pretty good, probably because he was exhausted.
I think he just needs his little butt worked harder. He'd been doing so well that I was letting him get away with a minimal workout...No MORE. Skate is back in boot camp. Tonight I have a lesson to continue his butt-kicking. Time for him to learn that I am in charge - not him or the other horses. I hate having to go back to these basics, but something has caused him to lose focus and forget to pay attention to only me. Weather? Mares in heat? Who cares ...
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5 comments:
I'm sorry! I've been there. Horses can be so frustrating sometimes when they go through these phases. "Rotten large hamsters," as Tango's owner says...
On the plus side, it sounds like you are riding out his goofiness very well. Just keep your patience and you will eventually rearrange his brain!
I am sorry he was so bad. I hope that this tantrum only lasts a short while and you can get back to where you were.
I'm sorry to hear Skate has been misbehaving! It must be the spring sillies. I hope your lesson was good and that Skate gets straightened out soon!
Ah ha! So Pro was not the only one infected by the Spring sillies... just the first!
I hope you and Skate get it worked out. Pro has also been put into boot camp by our trainer (well, we've been told to put him into boot camp). You at least have an indoor to keep working him even when the weather isn't cooperating?
Ah the spring sillies. :) What a weird pony! It is frustrating though, but you know we can all empathize with you here so it's a good place to vent about it.
It seems like you handled it well and gave him a good strong reminder of who's in charge!
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