schooling

Question
i am currentky loaning a 13 year old thoroughbred mare who has picked up some bad habits i would like some advice on getting her to work properly in the school she works really well for the first ten minutes and then is a complets nightmare bucking, cutting corners etc....

Answer
Hi Tricia!

Don't blame the horse for what the human has taught her.  How she is, what she is, is YOUR responsibility.  Horses are not a car, motorcycle, bike, they are thinking, feeling, intelligent individuals that will take care of themselves and do what they think they need to do to survive.  

A horse that bucks is troubled.  People always notice the buck but never what is going on just PRIOR to the buck.  It is what happens BEFORE what happens, happens that is important.  What was going on just prior to the bucking?  Did you notice?  This is when you need to change the behavior.  The horse is sending you plenty of clear messages that she is going to buck, it is just that you are not enough of a horsewoman or a leader and you missed her very clear messages.  You will have to learn to listen to your horse and make changes BEFORE she has to buck to get your attention!  It is so simple it is complicated.  

How much turn out time is this horse getting?  Is she locked in a stall or small yard?  How is she feeling BEFORE you get on?  Are you working on a ground school that really means something to the horse?  

When you say she is cutting corners...what are YOU doing when this is going on???  RIDING is an active sport!  It is YOU that needs to be providing direction and support!!!  What happened to your LEG when your horse is moving in a direction you do not want???  If you are alive and awake, then your horse will be too.  She can't cut corners if you are blocking with an inside leg.  If she is pushing through your leg, change something!  Don't just allow her to take over.  Be a leader.  If you want to go deep into the corner, do it!  Do what it takes to get the change and no more.  Be as soft and respectful as possible but use a level of firmness and discipline that does not allow your mare to make decisions on her own.  YOU have to be leading the dance.  If you are not a strong, trustworthy leader and your horse takes over, don't blame her, you allowed it!  

You too are missing volumes in your horsemanship.  Go back and learn the elements of the classical ground school as taught by Tom Dorrence and Ray Hunt.  You can see this very clearly in the "Ground Work" DVD by Buck Brannaman.  This will be essential homework for you.  You will need to learn this and teach it to your horse.  It is critical for both of you.  When you have watched the DVD, let me know and we will talk further.  I know you will have more questions.  This is the beginning of a wonderful journey toward a level of horsemanship that you have not yet experienced.  Thank your horse for requiring it of you.

Denise