mare with a fear of the bit

Question
I have a new mare, she is very sweet and my hopes for her is as a lesson horse for bringers. But she dose not like to have any pressure from the bit or leg. She was trained for roping about 5 years ago and has not head any work from the previous owner for 4 to 5 years. She panics when i try ask her to bend to turn a corner. she has had her teeth done and she is in a happy mouth. Is there any other tips to help her relax under saddle better.
thanks for your time.
Sylvia

Answer
Hi Sylvia!

You bought a green, troubled horse.  Her basic personality sounds wonderful but what she needs is a whole lot of rehabilitation, and education because so much is missing.  It is NOT her fault.  The humans she has been around are totally lacking in good horsemanship skills.  Her "training" as a rope horse was NOT a good education.  It left her scared, braced, resistant and just trying her best to survive.

That thumping sound you hear is me banging my head against the wall.  I volunteer my time here to help people find a better path, but it still makes me crazy to know there is so much abuse, lack of understanding, poor horsemanship and education out there.  It seems that anyone that can stay on a horses back for more than 30 seconds and not fall off is a horse trainer.  Sylvia the fact that you want to "use" this horse as a lesson horse for beginners is what makes me bang my head against the wall!  I HOPE and PRAY that you take this message in the spirit in which it is offered...if you have some sort of a lesson program it means you have people listening to you.  You influence them.  This means YOU have a HUGE responsibility to get things right and to pass on QUALITY information.  It is your obligation.  I appreciate the fact that you are willing to ask for help.  That is the only reason I am answering this question.  You were humble enough to ask an honest question and I respect that.  Thank you!

We are NOT fixing the horse.  The horse is perfect just the way she is.  It is the HUMAN we have to fix and teach a good set of skills so they can in turn help educate the horse.  You have to go back to the beginning and re-start this horse.  She has missed so much.  Not only that, but you have to UN-DO all the wrong that has been done to her.  I would start her like a colt,do an assessment of her basic skill set and try my best to rebuild trust.  I would use a good smooth snaffle and take her right back to equine kindergarten.  

The problem here is that you too are missing volumes in your education.  You can't "fix" the horse if your tool box is empty.  You have to know about things like hooking on, leading by on the fence, leading by all four feet and leading by her belly, yielding hind quarters, getting control of each and every footfall so you can influence the mind, riding in one rein, lateral flexion, and so much more!  My first piece of advice is to get to a foundation horsemanship clinic with one of my teachers and also attend a colt starting.  Look up the clinic schedules for Buck Brannaman, Peter Campbell, Martin Black, Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter and Ricky Quinn.  Get to a clinic.  These guys travel the country helping people just like you get better with their horses.  Once you attend a clinic, you can connect with more quality people that can help you continue learning all year long.  You are missing way too much for me to solve here.  Attending a clinic with one of my teachers will change your life and the lives of your students and horses.  GO!

Where I want you to start is buy the Ground Work book by Buck Brannaman.  It will clearly show you the classical ground school that EVERY horse and human should know.  Learn it.  Memorize it. Teach every last thing in that book to your mare and don't skip a thing.  That is essential for you and all of your students.

Now, here is a band-aide for getting her better about leg pressure.  This will be after you have mastered your ground work,  ride your mare in a round pen.  Get her following a feel and bending softly to the right and left.  Never pull on both reins at the same time, as you are bending her, rub your leg back and forth on her side.  She may jump forward depending on how troubled she is, just keep rubbing and keep her bending softly!  When she TRIES to relax, RELEASE the pressure of your leg and rub her!  Let her walk and just relax then bend and work on the other side.  Ride only in one rein, DO NOT STOP her forward motion.  If she feels the need to jump forward, go with her, rub her, keep her bending softly and wait on her to relax then rub her some more.  Rub the hair right off her.  It is what she needs.  

Remember Sylvia, this is only a band-aide.  You need so much more in order to really help this horse and help her become the type of individual that will be suitable as a schoolmaster for beginners!  You have so much work ahead of you.  I hope you decide to jump in with both feet and really make this change.  I can't stress how important this will be for all the horses and humans you are in contact with.

Best wishes, and keep me posted!  Now, find a clinic and RIDE!

Denise