Things to do while riding?

Question

I hear of people doing figure 8's while riding. Does that help train a horse? What else can you do?

My mare hasnt been riden in a while, so im going to build a round pen, and loung her for a while. She is good when i ride her bareback, she just doenst like the saddle much. Should i lounge with it on right a way, or just work my way up to that? Also can i ride her bare back because she does listen, but im not sure if i want to take the chance because she will try to go towards the pasture. Can that be stopped at all? Do you think after lounging her a while and riding her in the round pen, when i take her out of it she will listen? HELP PLEASE!

Answer 1

a mare? lol i have a mare and its not always easy! whenever she runs to the pasture or barn just turn her around and start again. if she wants to run, run her. a lot. the 1st time she slows down run her 1 more time around. it sounds mean but it really chills em out. lounge her a lot b4 riding if she is acting up. if you have a male horse around she might be in season. not the most fun time but you have to deal with it.

Answer 2

i would lounge the horse with  the saddle on then when the horse starts acting good take the horse off and ride it in the pen. When you feel safe on the horse take it out and ride it around. the only thing you can do about the 'running to the pen thing' is to make the horse listen. keep turning the horse around and make it walk away from the pasture. dont let the horse get its way. every time it turns around punish the horse. make it mind you. dont every let an animal control you. do not show the horse that you are scared of it. just keep punishing it till it listens. even if it takes really LONG time!

heres a website that you can use to break a bad habit

http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Break_a_Bad...

Answer 3

dont lunge her immediately with a saddle. Use a roller to get her used to something on her back and around her girth. Also, as for exercises, I would do lots of circles and head-lowering work. Circles improve a horses strength, balance, coordination, etc. Good luck!