Today was Khyber's first test under saddle, and he did pretty well. Like Boone, he stood still as I put the tack on him and he accepted the bridle without too much trouble. Both horses require a little encouragement with the thumb to open their mouths, but don't engage in any of the usual shenanigans of lifting or lowering their heads to avoid the bit.
Both horses also stand still during mounting--a testament to the skill of the trainer who first worked with them. However, Khyber did start moving a soon as I was in the saddle and before I got my foot into the right stirrup. Something I will have to work on. He is quite a bit more energetic than Boone. Khyber would have easily gone to a trot if I'd asked him to, but I want to make sure I have control of his head before we pick up the pace. There's no hurry to get him trained and I prefer to go slow and make sure there are no set backs.
We worked on turns, halting, and starting, just to get him used to my cues and to figure out how he has been previously trained. It is sort of like unraveling a mystery. What does the horse know and what does he not know. Neither of these horses have been taught how to neck rein, so I will have to go through that process later, once we get used to direct reining cues and all the leg cues.
Both these horses have good temperaments and for only being four-years old, are fantastic horses. It will be great fun working with them.
May I ask how you will teach him to stand until you ask him to go?
ReplyDeleteI have that problem with one of my horses. In fact he takes off as we are getting on him, which I hate.
My paint horse used to be bad about it, but isn't anymore. I just don't know what I did to change it other than got on and off of him a million times over the last few years. He gets ridden more than the other horse and seems to be a little more eager to please.
Two techniques I use are to 1) make sure I have a hold of the reins as I'm mounting so I can apply pressure if he starts to move, and 2) if the horse still moves, dismount and chase him in a circle around me a few times (might need a hat or a whip to compel him to move). About three of those sessions will usually convince the horse to stand still.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea with the moving of the feet. I should have thought of that. I use it in all sorts of other situations. Thanks!
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