Katana and the Saddle
When I took Katana to the foothills, even tho she was good in many ways, she shook her head lots and shook her whole body frequently. While I am bit of a worry wart and overthink things, I thught, either the bit is uncomfortable or the saddle is. So today, I changed bridles and girths. The western saddle, which seems to fit her perfectly: Well apparently it doesn't.. I couldn't get her to trot in a straight line. She shook her head, she was a PIA. So, I have beent old - she's just a mare, but I didn't feel that. I took her back, tied her up, and she thought she was off scot free. Instead, I changed saddles and got back on. If she was just being a mare, I am pretty sure she wouldn't have responded. Instead, I got a mare who trotted in circles and straight and was so much happier. So... either she truly appreciates the closer contact of an english saddle, or the western saddle is giving her grief, somewhere I can't fathom. In the western saddle she was so unresponsive it was painful, I am not that bad of a rider, but when a horse won't even go in a straight line no matter what aids you give, then you have a problem.
So. When both of us are happy it is a really good thing. Oh, and since I have been doing more groundwork with her, the other thing which has become easier with her - feet. She would always pick up her front feet, although sometimes she would deliberatley collapse on me. However, since I have been making, er, askingher, to bend etc, suddenly, when I go up to pick her back feet out, instead of a fight, I simply said 'foot' very firmly and ho boy, up the foot comes. I was so gobsmacked, I nearly didn't respond, because normally I have to bang her fetlock until she gives in. So I went around the other side and did the same thing and got the same response. So, hey, I am winning with her. Gaining her respect.
While Sabre today, the bugger, decided he was going to lean on the bit and not listen to me at all. I am all like - but you're my good horse! And made him trot down the gravel road cos I was miffed with him. Needless to say , after that he walked back nicely and decided to behave.
So. When both of us are happy it is a really good thing. Oh, and since I have been doing more groundwork with her, the other thing which has become easier with her - feet. She would always pick up her front feet, although sometimes she would deliberatley collapse on me. However, since I have been making, er, askingher, to bend etc, suddenly, when I go up to pick her back feet out, instead of a fight, I simply said 'foot' very firmly and ho boy, up the foot comes. I was so gobsmacked, I nearly didn't respond, because normally I have to bang her fetlock until she gives in. So I went around the other side and did the same thing and got the same response. So, hey, I am winning with her. Gaining her respect.
While Sabre today, the bugger, decided he was going to lean on the bit and not listen to me at all. I am all like - but you're my good horse! And made him trot down the gravel road cos I was miffed with him. Needless to say , after that he walked back nicely and decided to behave.