tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post288938714920008298..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Princess and the PeaMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-990620605604831092009-10-13T09:12:23.973-06:002009-10-13T09:12:23.973-06:00Thanks for your reply Mugs, and to the others who ...Thanks for your reply Mugs, and to the others who posted as well.<br /><br />I'm definitely not one to jump to a harsher bit, and wouldn't do it without a lot of thought and consideration. I do agree that he's having trouble at the canter, I think it's because he doesn't have the muscle in the right places to maintain his balance and a more uphill canter for more than those 3 strides. I will try doing lots more transitions, between and within gaits.<br /><br />I have tried what you suggested, of pushing him forward and asking him to move forward, until he realizes it's easier to just come back to me the first time I ask nicely. But I haven't yet reached a point where he gets tired and would rather slow down right away. Twenty minutes of strong canter/hand gallop later, and he's still going strong.<br /><br />I'll work lots on transitions and adjusting his stride at all gaits, and see if it makes an improvement. Lots of canter/trot and canter/walk transitions I guess!LaBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90350097145353776492009-10-12T08:02:01.067-06:002009-10-12T08:02:01.067-06:00Heh... sensitive...
I'd never ridden a sensit...Heh... sensitive...<br /><br />I'd never ridden a sensitive horse until my boy and I love it. <br /><br />He wants his forelock braided, hates mud (show ponies don't DOOOO mud!) ... I could go on really BUT I've never asked of him something that wasn't tolerable. I think he's simply smart enough that if I let him fuss too much over something he uses it not to work. I try and remember to braid his forelock but don't always for a trail ride. He lives.<br /><br />Mug's 1, 2, 3 method is perfect for him... I never get beyond 2. He knows better. <br /><br />mugs - You know how you talk about a horse being 'trained' to watch out/stay out of your space? So that in emergency situations they automatically watch for you and stay out of your space? My boy tripped up in a deep spot in the arena as he was transitioning up into a canter Saturday. He tripped and, a first for me and him, did not recover and fell with me. I gently hit the ground in the corner of the arena- waited for the impact of 1000lbs of horse that never happened. I look up he's on his head/neck ass in the air - my first thought - broken neck as he was jsut sitting there ass up on his head/neck. We made eye contact then he rolled away from me. I would have thought I was anthropomorphizing him or making it up had it not been the first thing the bystanders who saw it said. Everyone said he obviously waited to roll on his side until he knew exactly where I was. We're both fine. And I do know how lucky we both are. He's getting to do a lot of carrot stretches...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-85531134637033696402009-10-11T15:12:10.522-06:002009-10-11T15:12:10.522-06:00Hey Mugs,
My mare *loved* spin and lope! First t...Hey Mugs,<br /><br />My mare *loved* spin and lope! First time it was spin and collected canter while she was trying to figure out what I wanted (I love to see her think!), second spin a little faster, third and fourth I got a healthy hand-gallop and lots of excitement and "can we do it again?" Since I had trail rode her yesterday after almost 2 weeks off, I didn't want to make her sore, so we quit, but she really got into the new game!<br /><br />Guess that's the ticket to my mare...thinking of new things to do along with the routine!<br /><br />Jackie<br />www.horsesandturbos.blogspot.comHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-82575615525159480172009-10-11T12:04:55.691-06:002009-10-11T12:04:55.691-06:00h0t2tr0t-Hi! Glad to have you.h0t2tr0t-Hi! Glad to have you.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-66104694318623244912009-10-11T12:04:02.245-06:002009-10-11T12:04:02.245-06:00LaB- A bit is a bit. A twist is the same no matter...LaB- A bit is a bit. A twist is the same no matter which world you ride in, an egg butt is the same and a kimberwick is common enough I'm familiar with them.<br />Being small doesn't apply in the horse world. <br />A 250 pound 6 foot man cannot stop a horse any better than a 100 pound 5 foot woman if the horse chooses not to stop.<br />I became an honest to God horse trainer when I learned to go to a lighter bit when I was having trouble instead of a bigger one.<br />I agree with Horses and Turbos and Still Learning - this sounds like a balance problem and may be turning into an "I won't listen, I'll just run" situation.<br />I would be working heavily on my walk, trot, extend trot transitions with this horse. Then I would ask him to lope, with my hands and legs quiet until he wants to slow down.Then I would speed him up. Every time he slowed, would hesitate a few strides, then speed him up again until he was really ready to stop.<br />Then I would ask for a Whoa, let him air up and go again.<br />I would not stop this horse until he really wanted to.<br />I would not worry about his frame until he was listening to me.<br />When I had a consistant Whoa, from my body language, not from pulling on him, I would start to include the lope in my transition work.<br />That being said, I have used a twist on horses who hang on me or consistantly try to take off instead of loping. Then I have two bridles set up.<br />I warm up my horse thoroughly in his regular snaffle, then put on the twist and work on transitions for about ten minutes. <br />When I'm getting the soft feel I want, I put the regular snaffle back on.If the horse gets heavy I put the twist back on.<br />I switch back and forth until I'm getting the horse to quit dragging me around. <br />I have only had to use this method on horses with man-made issues, I've never tried to solve balance problems with it.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-27671110761384552382009-10-11T11:07:37.359-06:002009-10-11T11:07:37.359-06:00LaB, Sounds to me like your horse is struggling to...LaB, Sounds to me like your horse is struggling to keep his balance at the canter, not trying to go faster. Going to a stronger bit may not be the best approach. I'd try using transitions, lots of them. Take the lovely 3 strides he can canter now, then ask for the trot for 6 steps, then back up to the canter, etc. You'll be surprised how quickly he'll build strength and the correct muscles. And because you're asking for the downward transition, you're pro-active and won't be getting dragged downhill.stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917159268881119376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-14948711943135420752009-10-11T05:30:01.062-06:002009-10-11T05:30:01.062-06:00LaB...While I am not a trainer, I know that dressa...LaB...While I am not a trainer, I know that dressage people will use their whips and tap on rear to drive the horse under and forward. I did that with my mare and now all I have to do is think it and she responds. <br /><br />As for the stop, Mugs has a lot on that already. It's in the training.<br /><br />My mare spooked good today...forward hard when some deer ran up behind us (I will blog that). I lost my balance somewhat, yelled "Whoa" and she stopped, even though she was afraid, stood and trembled and snorted until the herd passed. <br /><br />I only use a french link with her, and only pulled a little when I tilted back, so I know it was her training that stopped her. <br /><br />JackieHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-81859485758019392742009-10-11T03:36:35.872-06:002009-10-11T03:36:35.872-06:00Hi Everyone. I am long time lurker, first time pos...Hi Everyone. I am long time lurker, first time posting. I have a 8 year old OTTB named Blue and a 4 year old QH named Cowboy, both geldings. My OTTB is typical thin skinned almost prissy while my QH doenst worry about much. I look forward to talking with everyone, but it is late and I need to go to bed. :)<br />Kimh0t2tr0thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18413138155888661749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-30686973507184423912009-10-10T19:23:14.327-06:002009-10-10T19:23:14.327-06:00Hi Mugs, I'm a long-time reader, but haven'...Hi Mugs, I'm a long-time reader, but haven't ever actually shown my face around here. I have a question for you, in terms of sheer horse power and bits.<br /><br />The gelding I'm working with is a Perch/Thoroughbred X, about 16.3hh, and a bit of a tank. He's lighter boned for a draft X, but is still a massive beast, and I'm a slender 5'3" so I don't have a lot of weight to through around when needed. <br /><br />The problem I'm having is at the canter, and then after the canter when he gets excited. At the canter, he likes to tank around on the forehand, pretty much 80% of his weight on the forehand and 20% on the backend. I know he needs to build the muscles necessary to rock back and use his hind end, and that this will take a lot of time. He's gotten a lot better at the trot, and is now capable of collecting and extending his stride while staying soft and round and moving level, not downhill. But the canter is another story. I can get about 3 strides right away of nice, collected uphill movement, but then he just drops his head, and tanks around. I'm just simply not big or strong enough to get him to lift up and listen, and no amount of sitting deep, driving forward and halfhalts seems to get him to come back. His canter stays fairly quiet considering, but I'm afraid if he ever did find reason to take off, it would be impossible to pull him up because he's just so much horse. <br /><br />Do you think this would be a reasonable situation to move to a harsher bit? He's currently in a eggbutt snaffle, and I was wondering if possibly a slow twist, or snaffle kimberwick would help? Normally I don't like doing this, and would rather take the time to work things through without bitting a horse up. But he's so powerful there's not much I can do when he starts rooting and literally pulling me out of the saddle.<br /><br />Not sure how familiar you are with English bits, but I would love to hear your opinion, as well as those of others'.LaBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-35172313144220184692009-10-10T15:07:34.954-06:002009-10-10T15:07:34.954-06:00Muriel- I agree. I'm completely sympathetic to...Muriel- I agree. I'm completely sympathetic to the things that drive my horses batty. It seems the higher the level of ability the fussier the horse.<br />Your point of leadership is a good one, I always look at it as the difference between asking for help and throwing a temper tantrum.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-27909684634863700512009-10-10T05:57:39.458-06:002009-10-10T05:57:39.458-06:00This is a wonderful post. My mare (I call her Pri...This is a wonderful post. My mare (I call her Prima Donna Diva) hates mud(tho she has gotten used to it here), and when sweat runs down her face...particularly when she starts slobbering around her bit (I use a French Link with a copper roller). She will shake her head, roll the roller, and even reach down and rub her face *when trotting*! I make her work tight circles when she does this...I don't want to go off over her head! Besides I just don't want her to do it at all.<br /><br />Will be interesting today...week of rain, off trail riding. Lots of mud :)<br /><br />JackieHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-72099438569433709172009-10-10T01:03:58.290-06:002009-10-10T01:03:58.290-06:00Wonderfull post. Thank you so much for writing goo...Wonderfull post. Thank you so much for writing good horsemanhip and training advises. It can be so rare on the internet.<br /><br />Your yellow mare sounds very much like my red mare, she won't put her feet in the mud or in a puddle. She does not even roll in her paddock mud or not. My other mare used to roll in the mud but not on hard ground, because hey! it was too hard .. eyes rolling.<br /><br />I love mare's sensitivities. I get on better with them.<br /><br />BUT I make my Princess walk in the mud, and stand in a puddle! It is a question of leadership. <br />If it starts with a puddle where does it finish? It is opening the door to so many unwanted behaviours.<br /><br />I thoroughly wash, massage, groom my mare. I only wish somebody will do the same to me!Murielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05491691754938320621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-81282544982793352432009-10-09T19:33:39.625-06:002009-10-09T19:33:39.625-06:00I agree with you 100%. My mare has not learned tha...I agree with you 100%. My mare has not learned that step 3 means her $%# is mine. She is an awsome horse with a lot to learn. <br /><br />BarbaraWinter Storm Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11858714399188125211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-74748454304326805442009-10-09T17:51:25.725-06:002009-10-09T17:51:25.725-06:00My mare is incredibly sensitive and hot (typical M...My mare is incredibly sensitive and hot (typical Morgan mare). I find one of the best things I can do is to acknowledge that she doesn't like something, then continue. For example, she just plain doesn't like to be touched anywhere past her shoulder. Clearly this isn't okay. If I curry her belly, I tell her I'm sorry and I let her nudge me. As long as she can express that she's upset (in an acceptable way!) and I acknowledge it, she puts up with it just fine.JustMyStylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04918030759878515743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-72040864885738583192009-10-09T16:53:03.419-06:002009-10-09T16:53:03.419-06:00I always found it an interesting problem - the iss...I always found it an interesting problem - the issue of loving to have a horse or pony that was light and sensitive, and also being able to sell them on - I would never call myself a trainer - I just did what a number of people around us did, I tried to improve a horse or 5 and sell it on to go to uni. you want the horse to be senstive to aids, however you don't want it blowing up and the average pony clubber not being able to ride it. Some of the best money was made from taking a smart sensitve horse that was in the bargin bin from blowing up too often and get it used to working again, then just doing stuff on them - opening gates, throwing an orphaned lamb across the front of the (english) saddle and and taking it up to the yards,(I wish I'd had a saddle horn to hang onto for that one... we went sideways a little for a start and when the lamb bleeted!) they got used to things going on around them and on them - legs moving back and forward - weight shifting in the saddle, and the world didn't end so it became acceptable. <br /><br />As for the funny habits - Jan had to be jumped in competition in a drop noseband - first round was normally fine, but when she was against the clock, she'd sometimes eye up the closest jump and want to go for it, and open her mouth - never did it in practice, unless you tried to jump fast after rining a bell of buzzer over "proper jumps" .... and having to work that one out her system would have been intresting and hell hard on her legs as the fences had to be 4 foot high to be proper! (again - the "arena" was an area of a field - the footing was dependent on how much rain we'd had - summers were dry, winters muddy) If a drop noseband was on only just tight enough, she listened - however she hated when it got sweaty and slobbery - so after her round when you dismounted she would poke her nose out eyes half closed waiting for the wet cloth wipe down and rub when it was taken off - she looked so silly!Deeredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598240463885095790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-46125039314453001642009-10-09T15:27:38.459-06:002009-10-09T15:27:38.459-06:00Holly-I don't use a spur on a horse until she ...Holly-I don't use a spur on a horse until she understands the one, two three sequence for forward without them.<br />I don't use spurs until my horse understands to move away from pressure.<br />If the horse then kicked at the spur I would indeed continue to use it until she did what I had asked.<br />Although the only horses who have ever kicked at me were horses who were already used to spurs and were misbehaving.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55574912614874411212009-10-09T15:23:53.748-06:002009-10-09T15:23:53.748-06:00Oh, and the title to your post is TOTALLY accurate...Oh, and the title to your post is TOTALLY accurate, and made me laugh! :)Half Dozen Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00253311679688366394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-32286077326058904172009-10-09T15:22:09.626-06:002009-10-09T15:22:09.626-06:00Thanks Mugs.
It never ceases to amaze me the &quo...Thanks Mugs.<br /><br />It never ceases to amaze me the "common sense" answers to questions that I SWEAR are more complex! LOL!<br /><br />Why I never thought of taking my spurs OFF after I had gotten after her with them is beyond me. I read that, and said "Duh!" while smacking myself in the forehead. Instead, I ride around with them on, trying desperately to keep them away from her which makes me ride with a stiff leg... *sigh* I feel like an idiot.<br /><br />I really appreciate how you spelled out the delicate balance between making them "tough it out" and also doing things to make sure they're more comfortable in their work. I definitely have some thinking to do here!<br /><br />All in all, she is a nice mare. I keep telling myself this when the thought crosses my mind of selling her (in this market? - yeah, right!).Half Dozen Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00253311679688366394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-40043820245093793422009-10-09T14:54:39.977-06:002009-10-09T14:54:39.977-06:00haha..I knew a cutting horse "Sonita's La...haha..I knew a cutting horse "Sonita's Last Cadillac" that apparently blew a cutting because of cow pee. He WOULD NOT step in puddles etc, and apparently, he was cutting when there was OHMYGOSH COW PEE! I did not witness this, just heard the story. lol<br /><br />Jazz loves to chase cows, its her passion. But WHY oh WHY does she freak out and get scared when one cow mounts another???crochetyoleladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10558947029662564330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57834190806450090402009-10-09T14:49:46.510-06:002009-10-09T14:49:46.510-06:00"If a horse kicks at my spur I will keep spur..."If a horse kicks at my spur I will keep spurring until I get what I want. I know if I back off I will be teaching my sensitive horse to fight.<br /><br />My horse has too clearly understand my spur means move away and until she does I will continue to spur."<br /><br />this, of course, assumes that the training to know what the spur means is already in place. Correct? You don't *start* here.Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17685436243608973979noreply@blogger.com