Horse breaking/schooling question....(best answer)?

Question

Hey well my filly is just over 3 years old. I'm in the process of 'breaking' her in. I hopped on her a few weeks ago for the first time. It was bareback and just being led around the field. She went 100% and was perfectly quiet and spot on, couldn't have been prouder of her. Once i did that a few times, i started a bit of lunging, voice commands, long reining etc. So, about 3 weeks after first getting on and off her every few days, i got on her again and rode her around field, walk trot only. She went perfectly. Noone else was there so she relaxed a bit. Then, a day or two later i got on her again and she flew backwards and spun round and threw down her head in annoyance. She didn't buck though. I pushed her on with my legs but she continued to nap. I tried to soothe her but to no avail. I got a bit firm with her again and turned her and pushed harder with my legs but she got worse and worse. I managed to get her to stand still for a moment just so i could end on a good(ish) note. The same happened the next day. I've broken horses before and my usual instinct would be to be really firm when they're napping and really soft and easy when they're good. But i don't want to be too firm with her incase she stops liking riding or people. Shes already less friendly in the field whereas before she loved contact and flowed you everywhere. She's quiet still apart from when ridden but not as sociable with humans. I don't know whats gotten into her. I feel i'll have to be firm with her, but don't want to be. Is there any way around this?? Its such a shock.

Btw- there is a pony in the same field as her. He's really cheeky and won't come near people in the field (though hes broken in and a good horse when handled prop). Is there any chance his bad mood when people are around is affecting her or is she copying his antics by any chance?? Really need help as dont want to put her off riding, shes a lovely horse.

Answer 1

you need to go do your ground work.  the reason why she's not responding in a consistent way is because she is reacting in the way you've trained her.  always start with perfecting the ground work, before thinking about mounting up.  whatever you expect your horse to do under saddle should be taught on the ground, before mounting up.  the first several rides should also be done only at a walk, and only progressing to a trot when every piece of ground work is properly done at a walk.  

i'm not saying just walk, turn both ways, stop and back up.  if you expect your horse to side pass while under saddle, then the horse must show perfect understanding while under saddle, etc.  wait to trot.  you want to have a good partner to work with, for years to come.  take your time, advance your horse only when the horse can correctly execute everything you've asked for.  

start at the ground and slowly build up to mounted work.  do your ground work with and without other horses in the mix.  teach her to listen to you, no matter who's there, and what they're doing.

another good resource to check out...   www.marvwalker.com  he has a great "system" to help you magnify your ground work.

part of your problem, with your horse, i'm going to guess, is that s/he is herd bound, to some extent.

Answer 2

Well...this is very strange.  Haha I don't really know what you should do but I have a few suggestions.

1.  Try to determine exactly why she is acting up.  Is the tack making her uncomfortable?  Does she have some sort of injury?  Was there some scary object around? Are there other people around?  Once you find the problem, you can try to fix it.  If it's a problem that you can resolve (such as people being around) then immediately fix it so that you can continue the training and expose her to the issue when she has more training.  If it's an injury or poor tack fit, then you definitely don't want her to learn that riding is a bad or uncomfortable thing so try to resolve the problem right away.

2.  Take some time to go back to the basics: lunging, etc.  If you progress too quickly, your horse might get a little stressed out and start to act up.  

About being gentle or firm...there are times when you must quickly discipline to get your point across, but only as much as is needed.  I believe in being kind to the horse and letting the horse learn to trust you.  It sounds like you did this very well with your horse.  Some horses need a firm trainer or else they won't behave, but you must know the horse and know what it takes to teach that horse, and with your horse it sounds like she responds very well to kindness and gently teaching.  

Good luck with the training!  I hope this helped!

Answer 3

I think the problem is that you don't seem to have a method or a sequence to your training, and not much of a plan.  The system of rewards is absent, so there is no way to gauge successes, and no clear way for the horse to learn.  He can't digest a lesson, since your goals and rewards aren't clear.  Training has to progress in an orderly fashion..sometimes backing up before moving forward.  When you refer to getting firm, it sounds like you are punishing her for having no idea what you want.  Start over and get a training tape to help you follow a reasonable program that the horse can understand. Training is best done in an arena without other horses to contend with.

Answer 4

this is what I would do if I were breaking a horse (hope it helps)

1st i would lead her around on the lead rope for a few mintues each day going a bit further each time

2nd I would probally try some long reins or lunging only for short periods of time though

3rd I would start to put the saddle blanket on her back and lead her around on the lead rope for a few minutes

4th I would start putting the bridle on and the saddle not getting on her back though. and lead her around a arena or something

5th Finally I would try and get on with the saddle and bridle, if she starts to fuss at first just make calming voices tell her theres nothing to be afraid of i would do just walking only for a few minutes but each day make the time longer.

and finally because your horse is new to everything she wouldnt be used to it.like time to do bareback riding, then lunging tomorrow , then riding then something new. it just doesnt work she is probally get all mixed up and confused just take it one step at a time and see how it works.

Good Luck!!!!!