Knowing when to listen to your horse

[Rocklone Miniature Horses]

Had a drive today, only the second time my mare has had a passenger in the cart (and shes had a few weeks off)

She just was not happy, walking backwards, confused about turning and basically doing all the kind of things she did the very first time she long lined over a year ago! I have trained her with words rather than whips and although she knew what was being asked she just wouldn't do it. So off i get to have a look about and i thought the breeching may have been a little tight. Loosen it ONE hole and poof, shes away like a shot trotting and turning like a pro. Shes so sensitive! She would be a nightmare if she was a riding horse lol


https://player.vimeo.com/video/106060937?app_id=122963

 

[Kendra]

Good for you for figuring out what she was telling you!

The other day I was driving my greenie. It's taken him a while to be comfortable pulling the cart on the rough ground here - he's now steady and confident at the walk, so I asked for a trot. He trotted three steps, scooted sideways, and dropped back to a walk. I asked him to trot and he walked faster. He quite clearly said, "Actually, I feel it would be more prudent to stay at the walk." I took him at his word. There's always next time, and it's not worth shaking his new found confidence.

 

[Rocklone Miniature Horses]

Goldie doesn't like walking, shes a trotter lol it was actually a little scary cause its only my third time driving (first time was a cob who does it for a living! second i only walked) but i was confident in her