Older mare not separating maneuvers

Question
Hi. I have an eleven year old APHA mare. I have been working on re-conditioning her for western pleasure/horsemanship classes.  When she came to me she had a lot of habits that weren't acceptable for a show horse...She was safe and anyone could ride her, but she wasn't moving well. She had been slowed down  way too much and she was breaking at the poll instead of dropping her neck from the withers. Using a training fork a couple times a week has solved that problem and I have since taught her to move at a correct speed. She knew how to pivot when I got her (she does it well for showmanship too) and then I taught her how to turn on the forehand because she didn't seem to know that. But now she doesn't seperate turning on the forehand from turning on the haunches and if I ask her to sidepass (I have never quite gotten her to do that). I need to re-teach her these things in a way that she will learn all three seperately. I think she just kind of became a kids horse with her last owner who owned a lot of arabians ( I think that is where she was taught the wrong head set) Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Breanne!

I understand what you want from your horse.  These are not especially difficult things to train a horse to do.  However, it is really not the mare that needs to be taught....it's you.

Think about it.  If you do not know how to teach it to her, if you do not understand the fundamentals of the movements, how can you and her do them together and do them correctly for the show ring?

If you want to be in the current style that wins in the ring this year, find a trainer who's horses are winning or a judge who trains on the side and get them to work with you and your mare.  I swear....everything is a fad that changes from year to year.  Clothing, saddles, bridles, loping speed...etc...etc...

I could give you the very basics of the movements but, hey...what if you'all do it differently where you are from in your local show ring?

The mare sounds safe and willing to learn.  Take it a step further with her (and yours!) education and learn the current winning style from someone knowledgeable in your area  :-)

Taking the time and money to put her hooves on the right road now will give you years of a wonderful riding partnership!

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange