Hi MC, Great question. My book Human to Horseman deals with this extensively. In a very small nutshell, leadership (dominance) is established among horses by control of movement. If I can get you to move your feet at my direction, I am above you in the dominance hierarchy. Natural horsemanship gives us many exercises from the ground and from the horse's back that show him we can control his movement. This is all done BEFORE you attempt to go do something with the horse. This is much like a pilot's pre-flight check. It is intended to uncover issues that will affect your safety later. You now have the concept. You need specific exercises next. There are many good ones. I happen to know those used by Clinton Anderson best because I traveled with him for four years. His "Gaining Respect and Control on the Ground" and "Riding with Confidence" DVDs are great places to start. Good luck! R
I have a 9 year old very laid back gelding that has had no formal training. He is just learning neck reining. I am trying to get him to flex as he is so tight. I read your story on watching the eyes to stay out of trouble. When I ask him to flex, he refuses pushes his nose up and out and hold there. I keep steady pressure until he gives as much as an inch and release and praise. His eyelids start droooping like he is going to fall asleep as he stand there. Is this a typical balking issue, or are we waiting for an explosion. He has never offered to be aggressive, but he certainly doesn't like to flex. I have had him vet checked, No issues there. Any commets? He is bery bright and picks up most everything else nicely. Oh yes, I've already tried the tie to the stirrup to get the bend. I get the same response and in most cases won't move or tries to back up.
I think your horse should have his teeth floated and see the chiropractor before addressing the problem getting him to flex further. These are often very overlooked problems and I consider them to be the first line of defense in these kinds of cases. I would make sure he is not fighting pain somewhere before asking him to do something he is only resisting because it hurts. Sometimes listening is the answer.
Giantschnauzers...thank you for the comment. His teeth are good and I recenty had him worked for 30 days. The gentleman tried to find ways to make him buck and the horse never once offered. I'm trying a different cinch and a new pad that distributes weight to get rid of pressure points from the saddle/rider. I think part of the issue is that I need to become a better leader.Also the 1st time he bucked was a surpeise that we thought was from a bite form a horse fly. Now he knows he can unload me.There is a huge difference in him since getting him home...hope is there. I nedd to find people to ride with too.
6 comments:
What are all ways and methods for letting your horse know you are the herd leader when you are "on his back " doing whatever ?
Thanks
MC
Hi MC,
Great question. My book Human to Horseman deals with this extensively. In a very small nutshell, leadership (dominance) is established among horses by control of movement. If I can get you to move your feet at my direction, I am above you in the dominance hierarchy. Natural horsemanship gives us many exercises from the ground and from the horse's back that show him we can control his movement. This is all done BEFORE you attempt to go do something with the horse. This is much like a pilot's pre-flight check. It is intended to uncover issues that will affect your safety later. You now have the concept. You need specific exercises next. There are many good ones. I happen to know those used by Clinton Anderson best because I traveled with him for four years. His "Gaining Respect and Control on the Ground" and "Riding with Confidence" DVDs are great places to start.
Good luck!
R
I have a 9 year old very laid back gelding that has had no formal training. He is just learning neck reining. I am trying to get him to flex as he is so tight. I read your story on watching the eyes to stay out of trouble. When I ask him to flex, he refuses pushes his nose up and out and hold there. I keep steady pressure until he gives as much as an inch and release and praise. His eyelids start droooping like he is going to fall asleep as he stand there. Is this a typical balking issue, or are we waiting for an explosion. He has never offered to be aggressive, but he certainly doesn't like to flex. I have had him vet checked, No issues there. Any commets? He is bery bright and picks up most everything else nicely. Oh yes, I've already tried the tie to the stirrup to get the bend. I get the same response and in most cases won't move or tries to back up.
Is there a way to stop a horse's bucking once he starts? Not a crow-hop. It can happen 5 minutes or 2 hours into a ride.
I think your horse should have his teeth floated and see the chiropractor before addressing the problem getting him to flex further. These are often very overlooked problems and I consider them to be the first line of defense in these kinds of cases. I would make sure he is not fighting pain somewhere before asking him to do something he is only resisting because it hurts. Sometimes listening is the answer.
Giantschnauzers...thank you for the comment. His teeth are good and I recenty had him worked for 30 days. The gentleman tried to find ways to make him buck and the horse never once offered.
I'm trying a different cinch and a new pad that distributes weight to get rid of pressure points from the saddle/rider. I think part of the issue is that I need to become a better leader.Also the 1st time he bucked was a surpeise that we thought was from a bite form a horse fly. Now he knows he can unload me.There is a huge difference in him since getting him home...hope is there. I nedd to find people to ride with too.
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