Training a horse is not something out of My Friend Flicka, and I wish to god that book had never been written because that's NOT HOW IT WORKS. If you do not get some serious, intensive, professional help with this mare, you are going to get killed. And then your super pretty pony with her shiny tack and her expensive SmartPaks is going to end up at an auction and on a truck to Mexico. That is how you need to prioritize your time and money.
I'll add a caviat that getting the pro to come out and work with BOTH of you -- KEEP DOING THIS, and have her out every time you work with the horse for a while. A LONG while. Do NOT give the horse the opportunity to hurt you with no one supervising. I missed that over the 'my horse is kicking me, but at least it has matching tack' part.
If the horse is responding well to the trainer, that means she doesn't respect you, and you don't have enough experience to MAKE her respect you (hence the kicking you).
KEEP WORKING WITH THE TRAINER if you don't want to get killed. Even if that means that you touch the horse once-a-month. Pasture ornament is better than dead owner.
Also - my humble opinion - sell the mare, and buy/find an older horse that you CAN just safely bomb around on/ snugglewuggle / matchy matchy tack on. There are so many horses that are suitable for trail that are safe, sane, and would be a much better fit.
When you said "I picked this horse because she's cute!" everybody said, "NO!" There are literally thousands of well-trained horses for nearly-free in the economy at the moment. Why in the world would a green rider like you want an unbroke and dangerous one?!?
PUT DOWN THE CARROTS AND CUDDLES AND CALL A TRAINER, RIGHT NOW.
Do not attempt this yourself. If you can't do it for your own self, do it FOR YOUR HORSE. She does not need fancy smartpaks. She needs to learn how to be led without hurting people oh my god. Signed, ~Captain Obvious
Your horse absolutely has your number. She is not a My Little Pony to brush and coo over. She is a huge, living and apparently dangerous animal who has learned how to get her way. She doesn't seem to care if she hurts you to get there, either, which should scare the shit out of you. She seriously kicked you when you were leading her? What did you do in response?
Stop buying tack for her - you need to get her respect on the ground before you can ask for it in the saddle. SmartPaks are a nice thought, but again if you have to choose between that and help from a trainer, get rid of the SmartPaks.
Are you still feeding her sweet feed? Is she still fat? Get rid of the grain, especially if she's out on pasture. I guarantee you she won't starve, and I bet she will have a big attitude improvement also!
You can certainly TRY to do this on your own but I don't see how you think you'll be successful?
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Why?
Three months ago you posted about problems you were having with this horse and everybody told you to get professional help ( ... )
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It is even worse.
Standing in the middle of the pen with your hand outstretched whispering Flickaaaaaaaaaaa is not how it works.
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If the horse is responding well to the trainer, that means she doesn't respect you, and you don't have enough experience to MAKE her respect you (hence the kicking you).
KEEP WORKING WITH THE TRAINER if you don't want to get killed. Even if that means that you touch the horse once-a-month. Pasture ornament is better than dead owner.
Also - my humble opinion - sell the mare, and buy/find an older horse that you CAN just safely bomb around on/ snugglewuggle / matchy matchy tack on. There are so many horses that are suitable for trail that are safe, sane, and would be a much better fit.
Reply
When you said "I picked this horse because she's cute!" everybody said, "NO!" There are literally thousands of well-trained horses for nearly-free in the economy at the moment. Why in the world would a green rider like you want an unbroke and dangerous one?!?
PUT DOWN THE CARROTS AND CUDDLES AND CALL A TRAINER, RIGHT NOW.
Do not attempt this yourself. If you can't do it for your own self, do it FOR YOUR HORSE. She does not need fancy smartpaks. She needs to learn how to be led without hurting people oh my god.
Signed,
~Captain Obvious
Reply
Stop buying tack for her - you need to get her respect on the ground before you can ask for it in the saddle. SmartPaks are a nice thought, but again if you have to choose between that and help from a trainer, get rid of the SmartPaks.
Are you still feeding her sweet feed? Is she still fat? Get rid of the grain, especially if she's out on pasture. I guarantee you she won't starve, and I bet she will have a big attitude improvement also!
You can certainly TRY to do this on your own but I don't see how you think you'll be successful?
Reply
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