DeniseJP
Well-Known Member
My friend who is a horse trainer told me I am nuts.
I have started Weatherly, my three year old Morgan filly, riding bareback and in just a halter and leadlines. We introduced the bridle but she feels different in it... but she went OK in the pen.
Today I was tacking her royal highness up and she decided mid bridle tacking up that that was enough and she broke free to the neighbor's clover field. Bridget, my GSP dog decided to administer her discipline (nips on the heels) and got kicked for it. I brought the dogs in and called Weatherly back. My very regal all black horse returned to the yard but the half-on bridle was now in pieces.
I continued witha quick lesson on the longe line with her saddle on and the halter and she was good... a few crow hops to let me know she felt good but it was down to business.
I don't over enforce a lesson so off the saddle came and we took a walk to the pond. She was a lady about it and played in the water a bit and then she looked at me. I knew what she wanted... and I was astounded but had to let her really let me know what she meant. I climbed on my picnic bench and said "If we are riding outside the pen, I cannot leap on you... you must get close to me so I can get on you." Like magic, she sidled up to the bench so I could get on and I was nervous... what was a youngster thinking without a bridle or saddle? She totally could have been wild... and yet she wasn't! I have not felt that a horse was concerned about me as well as her welfare before...and I have ridden for 40 years this year.
We set three goals - walk to the goldenrod, then to a Queen's Anne lace plant next to the pond pathand then a red dogwood and I would get off to give her the grass she so desired as she is in a drylot. It took time for me to get my message to her but she did fulfill what I asked her without bucking or rearing and an occasional turnaround to refocus.
I have been blessed. I gave Weatherly a lot of praise... she totally surprised me as she can be a wild woman in her pen with her friends.
My friend Kris will still say I am nuts going on a green horse with no bridle or saddle but it felt natural and like it was meant to be.
Denise
I have started Weatherly, my three year old Morgan filly, riding bareback and in just a halter and leadlines. We introduced the bridle but she feels different in it... but she went OK in the pen.
Today I was tacking her royal highness up and she decided mid bridle tacking up that that was enough and she broke free to the neighbor's clover field. Bridget, my GSP dog decided to administer her discipline (nips on the heels) and got kicked for it. I brought the dogs in and called Weatherly back. My very regal all black horse returned to the yard but the half-on bridle was now in pieces.
I continued witha quick lesson on the longe line with her saddle on and the halter and she was good... a few crow hops to let me know she felt good but it was down to business.
I don't over enforce a lesson so off the saddle came and we took a walk to the pond. She was a lady about it and played in the water a bit and then she looked at me. I knew what she wanted... and I was astounded but had to let her really let me know what she meant. I climbed on my picnic bench and said "If we are riding outside the pen, I cannot leap on you... you must get close to me so I can get on you." Like magic, she sidled up to the bench so I could get on and I was nervous... what was a youngster thinking without a bridle or saddle? She totally could have been wild... and yet she wasn't! I have not felt that a horse was concerned about me as well as her welfare before...and I have ridden for 40 years this year.
We set three goals - walk to the goldenrod, then to a Queen's Anne lace plant next to the pond pathand then a red dogwood and I would get off to give her the grass she so desired as she is in a drylot. It took time for me to get my message to her but she did fulfill what I asked her without bucking or rearing and an occasional turnaround to refocus.
I have been blessed. I gave Weatherly a lot of praise... she totally surprised me as she can be a wild woman in her pen with her friends.
My friend Kris will still say I am nuts going on a green horse with no bridle or saddle but it felt natural and like it was meant to be.
Denise
