Finishing my Western Pleasure horse?

Question

I'm training a twenty-something mare (she's perfectly sound) to do Western pleasure. She's coming along very nicely, but we're facing a few training issues:

1. She's not physically strong enough to lope yet. She can go slowly if I support her with my reins, giving and taking with her strides, but speeds up when I give her a loose rein. She also can't hold her head down for more than a few strides. We had a few strides of good lope a few days ago, but that was it.

2. She's inconsistent. Sometimes she'll be going nice and slow, in a proper frame, but other times she's faster and high-headed. Again, I just don't think she's strong enough yet- any tips?

3. She braces against my hand and flings up her head during downward transitions, occasionally other transitions but mostly to a halt. I am not putting a spur stop on her, though I know that would help. Too many beginners ride her.

Can any of you give me any help to resolve these issues? Other than that, she's a quiet, good WP mare.

Answer 1

she is at a time in her life where she is getting older and doesnt have the stregth and flexablity as a 5 year old would have. give her a break she should be retiring shortly not being "finished"

Im sorry but my view of this is its wrong

Answer 2

have you done some flexing excersises from the ground? I like to take a reg halter and lead rope and stand with my arm over the horses back and gently pull her face around to you having her nose almost touch her side, now the trick is to hold it until she comes that one step further then totally release. If you bend her around and she braces against that pressure and you let her go you are teaching her to brace, you have to hold and wait until she gives to the pressure then release. i like these excersises because they build lateral flextion and balance. I also like checking or bitting. Its easier for a horse to learn balance when theres no one on their backs, learning flexing  at the poll and rounding the back, softening in the face, neck , shoulders and ribcage will improve this mares ability to hold frame and collect for you. taking in consideration her age also a joint supplement will help. working on her back up first from the ground then while riding will also make her lighter on the forehand and get her working off that hindend. I never worry about headset, at this point its best to get consistent , balanced gaits first, let her use her own judgment on speed let her be comfortable and consistent before asking for slow, remember your circles and figure eights.

Answer 3

For the years I've spent doing WP in AQHA classes, I can tell you that this mare is having problems holding her frame.  The pleasure frame is tough on a young horse through hips and hocks, and I think it may be too much for a 20 something mare to accomplish.  You may think she's sound but that doesn't cover arthritic changes in her hocks and hips.   Particularly if she hasn't done this previously.

She's speeding up at the lope to alleviate any discomfort she may be feeling from trying to go so slowly.  It's hard  for her; she's also tryng to balance up underneath you.

It takes a tremendous amount of strength to keep that deep, slow legged motion going from behind.  As you may know, many of the pleasure horses, today,  are in  many different therapies for hips, hocks and back ailments just to continue to show.  I'd give the old girl a break and find another class that won't be as hard on her.

She's telling you in horse words that she's having difficulties with WP and the required frame....you might want to listen to her.  She also has a tremendous heart for the "try" she is giving  WP and wanting to please you.   Give her some pats on the neck for  me.  She's a good girl!!

Answer 4

Work on her balance and frame. That she relies so much on reins seems to me to be a balance problem. If she's not "strong" enough for the lope, don't be loping her. "Slow" isn't the name of the game so much in WP anymore so much as collected and balanced. Let her go at a pace that is comfortable for her; not too fast, but not slow enough where she breaks stride or seems to be lagging. Once you get a few good strides, bring her back down to a jog for a bit, then ask again once she has rebalanced herself.

Make sure to work on bending and circles. If she's flexible, she'll be more comfortable and more relaxed for you. Don't worry so much about keeping her head down. First focus on getting her to bend at the poll, give to the bit, and collect. The head going down will follow.

I don't think beginners riding her is a concern. If she learns to collect herself on her own, and develops the musculature required, it doesn't matter who is on her, she'll do it.

Basically, start small. Make sure she's balanced and collected at the walk before going into the jog. Take her in 20m circles and make sure she bends nicely, work downward and upward transitions in various numbers of steps (good time to use that half-halt stuff (; ). Repeat at the jog. Don't lope her until she's good at both walk and trot, and KEEPS her frame going between the two gaits and from each to the halt. Then do the same at the lope, keeping the time spent at this gait minimal at first, just a few strides. If she's not going well, stop, recollect, ask again.

Hope this helps : /