Lalo came out today to see Maddie. He was only able to stay for about 45 minutes, but we made some important headway together. Right away she showed some of her bad habits, like pinning ears and trying to nip. Lalo really got on her case and she backed down pretty quickly. After playing with a little groundwork, he started preparing her to be bridled. Lalo was able to put his hand across her nose and get her mouth open very reliably with his thumb. The bit when in on the first try and we kept it in for the rest of the session. Lalo felt it would help with her nipping if she had the bit in her mouth.
We did a bit of work with the lead line clipped simultaneously to the bit ring and the rope halter, helping her understand the bit. She did not step over well in the beginning due to her overall nervousness, but she softened after some extended work. After getting some concession we worked on her legs. With Lalo holding I picked up both front legs and got her very holding her feet up softly for at least 10 seconds. In the rear we started with a rope and graduated to me holding them by hand. I was able to pull the feet out back, farrier style, but not all the way.
Lalo had to leave to go give a lesson. I decided to put the saddle on and work Maddie outside. There was fresh snow and I was curious to see how she handled it. She balked several times walking to the outdoor arena--this is a new habit and I'm not sure how to handle it. I made her very uncomfortable by sending and backing, but I'm disappointed that this has started now. In the outdoor arena I focused on sending with solid stops where I wanted them--no running around behind my back. So so results. Also did the C exercise.
I took her back inside intending to unsaddle and put her away, but there were some other horses being worked and I felt it was a good circumstance to get on her back again. I flexed her thoroughly to both sides and hopped on, and almost immediately lost control. She straightened out and went to bucking, rodeo style, at least half way across the arena. The two women lunging horses looked genuinely terrified as we hopped all over, completely out of control. I had a good hold of the left rein but could not pull her head around at all. Nothing. After about 10 seconds I waited for a relatively easy bounce and hopped off, landing on my feet. Aaaaargh. What an ugly ride. And I can't believe I stayed on as long as I did--these bucks were the real thing, not just little kicks. Bucking and rearing.
I immediately went back to work flexing and yielding her hindquarters. I was not going to get back on, but at least I could work her and try to act like I was sort of in control of her. :) I felt my biggest mistake was to try riding her off the bit when she was so new to it. But there are probably other issues as well. I ended the session by tying her to the blocker ring and picking out her front feet. Try again tomorrow, I guess.
Sorry to hear about the bucking, Charlie. I know how discouraging it can be. I've been bucked off twice now, both times I feel I should have been able to ride through it but I really didn't see them coming so I was totally unprepared.
ReplyDeleteNext time you mount up maybe think about holding her flexion as you step into the saddle. Don't give her that opportunity to straighten out until she knows what's going on. That is something that has worked for me in the past.
These Mustangs have good days and bad days, just like us. Tomorrow is a new day! Good luck!
Thanks, Jessie! For sure I am going to work a lot on flexions before the next ride. I actually think I forgot to pull her nose around prior to mounting--what a time to forget such a thing! I also had not done a lot of flexions at the halt on this horse at all. I recently read Chris Cox's book, and he does not do any flexions at the halt on young horses, for the specific reason that he wants to be able to use a leading rein to make the horse step over from the halt. But now I think I will stay squarely back in the Clinton Anderson camp and do a lot of flexions to the side.
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