Hi Lorraine, >>> Why did his previous owner ride alone? How frustrating for you. I think this can be where there are various influences why one person can ride a horse out and another can't. First of all you are in a new situation and since you weren't able to try the horse in his own environment (correct??) before you bought him you don't really know exactly what he was like and where he was being ridden; I am not sure about your confidence level in riding inexperienced horses but, and you should know this since you are a mind reader :0)), the clear pictures you are able to make and resolve about what you want the horses to do are challenging. Having had 100's of riders of various levels ride horses I know very well I have seen horses be one way for one rider and completely different for another - sometimes you see what the rider was doing that was different and other times it was much more about the ability of a rider to make a small correction before something big happened and in other cases it was like the mental connection and trust the horse had with the rider.
You have probably been all through this before so sorry if I am re-asking questions. Have you taken him for walks where you are going to ride him, or even just short distances out? Are you able to pony him? Have you done any clicker training with him? I was thinking of it partly to deal with the not standing still for mounting because that sounds like a bit of a stumbling block with the leading him out and getting on, and for the clicking him for moving forward when alone. I think you said that if you carried a stick that he got worse?? Is that correct? One way to use a stick that does not create resistance is what Peggy Cummings calls 'tick tock' - it is basically holding the stick in a soft hand (not clenching the stick or it stings and may horses become more resistance or reactive) and tapping the horse on his shoulder, then hip, then shoulder/ hip etc. It is kind of like a metronome for a piano and IME doesn't trigger a negative reaction in the horse. I just keep it up until the horse takes a step - then repeat as necessary to get the speed you want. Other stick things to try - tap you boot - makes noise but doesn't create resistance or 'swish' the stick parallel to your horse in the air from front to back to encourage forward movement. You can always then use the clicker to reward forward motion. The other thing is how are you using your leg aids? When the horse stops may people kind of push down with their seat and use leg aids - this often just gets a horse more stuck. If instead of using your legs at the same time - use an alternate right left - sideways movement with your ankle - be sure you are not leaning back and pressing hard into his back or this often just creates more resistance. I know that it is possible to get after many horses and just make them go, and as the rider you definitely have to be clear about what you want, but if the problem is not getting better - then I would look for other issues; or you are not a person that feels safe really having to get after a horse then IME it is important for you to find other ways of dealing with the issues. If I am off base let me know but I am just trying to help. Robyn Icelandic Horse Farm Robyn Hood & Phil Pretty Vernon BC Canada www.icefarm.com
