Questions for Dawn from our community.
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"My question is how do I get her to slow down her trot after the canter and get her to remain calm?"
Hi,
I recently bought an 8yr old Tb mare that has been under saddle for approx 9 months. She is wtc and lead changes and has started over cross rails.
She gets very nervous when asked to canter on the right lead; sometimes she will start on the wrong lead so I know the right is her unbalanced side. Her biggest issue is after the canter she trots very fast and throws her head up and tries to break into the canter again. When asked to canter she will lay back her ears.
My question is how do I get her to slow down her trot after the canter and get her to remain calm?
Is she doing this because she is still green?
After she jumps the cross rails she will canter away on her right lead very nicely and then come back to a nice working trot.
I get the feeling from her actions that she was really pushed when in the canter to get her leads and now when asked she gets upset. She even anticipates the canter in the corners.
Thanks.
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Tracey,
Without watching this mare it is hard to make suggestions but it sounds like she may be hollow backed when you are asking her to canter her on the straight. I would suggest getting someone to watch and or video the rides and she if she is round when going over the cross rails but hollow backed on the flat. The causes of this can be numerous so start with making sure her mouth and teeth are in good shape, that her saddle doesnft hurt and that her shoeing is good and do a good flexion test on her! Make sure she is not hurting.
Then, it is up to making her flexible on both sides. Because we do so much on the ground on a horse they are usually more flexible to the left. Work on the ground, then bitted up, then under saddle with lots of right-sided work ... keep her rounded!
Again some in person help would probably be a big benefit to you!!!
Good luck
Dawn
"would we benefit from a tie-down or using another bit to help with positioning and balance around the course?"
My horse (14) loves running barrels, turns good, and has good speed (he's an Appendix). We're looking to begin competition next year but would like to get out a few times this fall to see where we're at in a big ring. My biggest concern is that he dives in on the barrels every time and surely isn't afraid to knock them, also from the first to second barrel we have issues with changing bend and thus leads sometimes. Currently Ifm using a curb bit and no other barrel equipment, would we benefit from a tie-down or using another bit to help with positioning and balance around the course?
Thank You, Kristen
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Kristen,
First lets change bits. Go to something with a broken mouthpiece... I really like the chain and chain derivatives ... this gives you lots of options for control. Bending and steering. A tie down is something I like a lot as well ... but once you have changed bits (a curb doesnft work well for the lead change and bend.. as you approach the first barrel reins in right hand drop your right toe and keep the barrel (right) leg on him to push him around the barrel .. then as you cross to the second barrel switch rein hands shift your weight onto left and if you need to drop left hand father down the rein towards his face and if you need to, bend his head to the left .. the hand switch and the dropping of your left hand should help with the bend and the lead change. The broken mouth gives you the opportunity to use two hands if you absolutely have to but hang on to the horn at the barrel so you do not pull on his face !!.. Another thing that will help all of that is to not run the pattern all the time .....Set up the barrels or some cones and run a pole pattern and then turn when you want to and ask for it. This will get his lead changes smoother and let him know you decide when your are turning etc. Then carry this over to the barrels in pattern but donft always turn and go to the next barrel maybe go from first to third barrel or keep circling one until you decide it is time to go to the next barrel! Videos are also a great help ... some of you riding and instructional ones are also a good aid
Good luck,
Dawn
"I keep a tie down on him just to save my face. Is this a bad thing for him to be doing?"
Hi I ride an 8-year-old Paint x Arab gelding. He thinks hefs mine and runs from his real owner when she tries to catch him in the pasture, and doesn't respond well when she rides him. I thinks its because we have a bond, and I trained him differently then shefs used to. He was a just a trail horse. But I trained him for gymkhana. We do all the events and do really well. This year was our first year together, and have been competing. He gets excited and does bunny hopes. I keep a tie down on him just to save my face. Is this a bad thing for him to be doing?
Dawn Green's Answer:
Sarah,
I do not doubt that he has a preference for one person over another however it might be that he gets confused by how she rides him. It would be worth it for you to spend some time with his owner to work out these differences in riding for his sake.... The bunny hopping is a phrase that can mean different things. If he is lunging to go into or start a pattern then try to work on getting him to walk and be calm before you let him go because this Bunny hopping can only get worse ... Make him calm and walk even if you have to "walk ' the entire pattern to get him to calm down. He might eventually get out of control if you are not careful so start now before it progresses ... Again, you may have to do some training runs or time only's and go slow for a while till he relaxes and fires up when you ask him to, not when he wants to. The tie down is a good idea.keep it even if he calms down, just makes sure it is on correctly. Good luck
Dawn
"when is a good age to start jumping her..."
Hi Dawn! I own a 4-year-old Appaloosa mare. I've been researching online as to when is a good age to start jumping her, and I also talked to trainers at the barn where I ride and board her. Online has said anywhere between 4 and 6 and the trainers said she's at a good age to start. I have done tons of ground pole work and even had a teeny tiny cross rail set up that she has gone over. I want to take it up higher, but I don't know if she's too young and if I should wait. And if I should start, how far should I advance with her? Should we work our way up to 3 feet over a course of time, or should I keep it low for a few months and evaluate her then. Thank you so much in advance!
Dawn Green's Answer:
Darylann
My suggestion would be to talk to your vet on make sure she is fit and has nothing going on joint wise ...I am of the belief that the slower we take them the longer they last!! So do not go too fast. Make sure her form is correct for quite a while before getting into height. So I am all for keeping it low for a while. Make sure she has it all down before pushing height. Leads, flying changes, rating, rollbacks etc all of this over low stuff before we pick up speed and height.
So keep up the good work and never stop seeking council before you take the next step. It takes years to make a really good jumper and do it correctly and keep them sound!
Good Luck
Dawn
"sometimes she pins her ears back and tries to bite during different times..."
I just purchased a new horse (mare) and sometimes she pins her ears back and tries to bite during different times, even during a friendly encounter, suddenly she changes moods. It can be when meeting another person, eating, petting, no obvious trigger we have noticed to cause this. She can be very pleasant, then suddenly mean. We donft give her treats routinely only after a good ride. She doesnft do this then.
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Evelyn,
First off, treats at any time lead to expectations!!! As she really doesn't understand a treat after a good ride, she just knows that sometimes she gets them sometimes she doesn't so she is always looking and can get ticked when she doesnft! My suggestion is NO treats. And if you just have to anyway very randomly and in her feeder when she is not there or with her feed. Never by hand!!!! Part of this can also be because she is a she. Mares tend to have a bit more attitude than geldings, so don't try to love her out of her mood just ignore her or, if it is bad enough, punish her when she is nasty. Loving her out of her mood just rewards the bad behavior. And please break the treat habit. Let's reward her for a good ride by being done with the ride, a nice pat, a deep voiced "good girlh, then a good brush down and a back to her stall or turn out. A bad ride should keep going for a while till she does something good then quit and let her be done then!!!
Good luck
Dawn
"After a week of 'licking' he has become more aggressive, such as attempting to snatch anything within reach, including clothing, and nipping..."
I have recently purchased a 9-year-old Quarter horse gelding. The previous owner informed me the horse loved to lick, just as a form of affection. Upon arrival, he began licking anyone who came near. I provided the horse with a mineral block but the problem still exists.
After a week of 'licking' he has become more aggressive, such as attempting to snatch anything within reach, including clothing, and nipping.
This behavior is unacceptable, especially to my 10-year-old daughter. He is otherwise a wonderful animal, easy to saddle, groom and care for. This licking/nipping habit is interfering with my level of trust. What should I do?
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Tammie,
Donft let him lick or put his mouth on any part of you or anyone else. Carry a small sharp nail and if he comes to lick make sure he has contact with the point ... and under no circumstances ever feed this horse by hand!!!!!!!... If he gets his mouth close but not touching simply push it away. I have found a few good self-inflicted pokes with the sharp instrument will usually do a lot to discourage this behavior and you do not have to hit him. However, if he does actually bite you need to hurt him right away. Let him know this is not acceptable. They are big animals and another horse would hurt them a lot more than you can do. Do not tolerate biting...
Good luck
Dawn
"When I go to my horse to ride or just love him up, all he wants is his tongue fondled..."
He sticks his tongue out, closes his eyes, and is in heaven when I play with his tongue. When it dries, he pulls it in, moistens it, and we start over. How do I break him of this?
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Kelly
You are reinforcing this behavior by doing what he wants!! Just don't fondle his tongue... if you want you can pinch it and he will pull it in faster than if you just ignore it! Any behaviors that you do like don?t reinforce it!
Dawn
"Bits are expensive, so how do I "try out" different ones to see which ones he will accept..."
I recently began riding again and purchased several quarter horses. The gelding (age 9), which is the horse I want to eventually show in dressage, was crow hopping, then bucking and finally eventually refused to accept a bit. When I purchased him, he had not been ridden much in a couple of years and had essentially been used as a pleasure horse on a ranch. I switched to a quick-stop hackamore and padded the nosepiece. He is now doing remarkably well but I will eventually need to switch him to some kind of bit. I have worked some with an instructor, who had me purchase an O-ring snaffle, which he fought. His previous owner said he was ridden with a straight-bar bit, which I have not tried. Bits are expensive, so how do I "try out" different ones to see which ones he will accept. I have not had his teeth floated, as he is not showing any signs that this is necessary OTHER than not liking the snaffle bit. I would appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Lynda,
I would still get his teeth done! Sometimes there are problems that are not evident. Or have him checked out by a good dentist! Very few horses don't benefit from a good float!
As far as finding the correct bit talk to friends and see what you can find! Maybe you can borrow some from friends or trainers to try on him. Some tack stores may let you try a bit or two but go talk to other riders! Or buy the inexpensive version for a few dollars (under $20) then go to a quality manufacturer for a permanent one! Most of us have bits for different horses and different purposes and you can try before you buy but please return the bit to owners ASAP in good condition. I personally am not a fan of the O-ring snaffle! But the bit I prefer is not legal for competition in some disciplines/ breeds ...So make sure that what ever bit you decide on that works that it is a legal mouthpiece for show.
Good luck
Dawn
"Why is my 14 yr old ex trotter (adopted) gelding not only becoming erect around me but I've been told he's also "Masturbating"..."
Usually when I groom him, and never around mares??? He was never a stallion any suggestions???
Dawn Green's Answer:
Dear Patti,
First off, he had to have been a stallion in order to become a gelding but it is not uncommon for geldings to achieve a semi erection when they are feeling good. Often when being groomed or if they are excited in general, plus the fact that it does just feel good. He is incapable of ejaculation but he may still have ability to enjoy the arousal. You can train him not do that when you are around just carefully tap his penis and tell him to" put it away" repeatedly until he does, then eventually if he drops all you have to do is tell him to" put it away ?. We train stallions with this technique all the time...
Dawn
"I didn?t know if it was at all a good idea to breed her again..."
Thank you Dawn your advice is great! But I do have another question I have a 20 yr old mare that I would absolutely LOVE to breed to a friends stallion. She has been bred many times before as she was a brood mare from age 2.5- 13. She throws gorgeous foal one of which is now a champion stallion. But I didn?t know if it was at all a good idea to breed her again please reply soon thank you, Theresa! P.S. my dad said thank you for the wonderful advice for "HIS" mare!
Dawn Green's Answer:
Theresa,
I have bred many a mare over the age of 20. If she is serviceably sound, I would have a good pre-breeding exam (culture and maybe do a biopsy) done on her. Assuming she checks out ok, I would not hesitate. Early to mid summer is the time for the highest conception rate for aged mares so it would be an optimal time to bred her for easier conception ...Let me know how it goes!!!
Dawn
