stops!!..and....jogs!

[ceej]

I posted a while ago about Harry meandering when we go out on our own. Well tonight, he was really hard to keep goinga nd even stopped a couple of times and was hard to get going (this is NOT helping me with my difficult decision as to whether to go it alone!!) I wasn't frightened, but it makes me anxious because it isnt going smoothly!! He still walks really fast on the way home (which doesnt worry me anymore like it used to - it was actually nice to take the leg off!!) so its really only a reluctance to go out (maybe I should try a different route? I know its his least fave route but its got the least 'hazards!' so i go that way when on my own.)

i dont carry a stick at the mo...should i? i never really have carried one, but maybe he would at least know if I had one? The question is, would this improve if I wen t out every night. we go out twice a week mainly in company and only out on our own once in a blue moon. he is not fit, its sunny and a belly full of grass! If I go out say every other night, or even every night, do you think this woudl help? Is it like we are when we dont do anything and get lathargic?

any comments appreciated!! I am going to try to go out every night this week before i make my final decision about the new yard!

[FirenLady]

Fire will randomly stop and refuse to go forward when schooling sometimes. (he finds it really dull) I have found the best thing to do is to put my leg on and the moment he stops take it off. So he basiclly gets a reward for doing what i want. Its *touchwood* Almost completely dissappeared.

I think if you managed to ride out daily it would help, to reinforce what your trying to teach him. Could you and your friend go out and then split up for a bit? So he learns that he will see his mate soon enough if he goes out alone? I think it takes a lot of practice and patiences to get through this sort of thing, you've just got to let him know its not acceptable behavior and reward good responses.

[brigadier]

Hi Ceej
sounds good advice from kylie
I always carry a stick- if only to hit cars on the roof that come too close- but I always work on the premise that once youve got it you dont have to go back for it. A few sharp taps may be all thats needed and its kinder than thudding away at his sides with your legs!
brig

[flash7]

Good advice from kylie and brig. I would keep takinh hiom out on his own so he gets used to it and he will eventually reaklize that ok he goes away from home he always comes back, My horse gets lazy with the grass at this time of year but I still take him out and work him through it. Pluis I will do some fun things like take my boy to our favorite canter spot or go across the open fields so he enjoys himself and realizes that it is fun to go out.

[raymond]

I agree with all above. I think just carrying a stick can work wonders. I always take one hacking out just in case. Ray is always a lot more difficult when hacking alone, reluctant to go foward and stops to look at stuff.

I find talking to him in a firm manner, backed up with a couple of taps from a stick usually focuses him again. If you can try and anticipate when he is going to stop (difficult I know if he stops sharply) and put your leg on and give him a tap before he actually stops might help.

As for going it alone, I moved ray from a busy livery yard to home, with just me and a shetland pony. I was worried about all the issues you have put on your other posts, but have never looked back. You will meet new hacking buddies, or hack alone, but perhaps with a buddy on foot if there is no one to ride with.

[maximum]

Max hated going out on his own at first simply because he had never done it before but he is fine now I think partly because we have built up a better and ore trusting relationship over the last year and also he has started to enjoy his jaunts!

I dont carry a stick simply because I am forever putting it down at gates and forgetting it or dropping it!! I save it for jumping sessions.

if max starts to back off at something I give him a whack either shoulder with my reins and that tends to work. I think of it as a school with no sides so he is worked up to the bridle and listening to me. If we do come across a scary lion etc I see no problem in getting off and leading him past with lots of reassurance.

[fimacg]

when Chompy stops or naps, a stick, whacking with reins or big kicks just don't work, they wind him up so he thinks something is definately wrong, he then backs up rears spins and generally make the situation 10 time worse. The latest trick in my bottomnal (and its great for the leg muscles) is a big hard continuous squeeze (boy does it burn the old legs) whilst I am thinking trot. We may not get trot but we usualy get a shuffle forward past whatever it is he is pretending to be scared of.

If I have time I then try to walk past the object 2 or 3 times so it is not an issue next time.

[ceej]

Hi thanks for all your comments...he grinds to a halt rather then sudden stops and not pretending to be scared of anything. Its probably because I dont ahve a short circular route so he is looking for the next layby that its time to turn around in. I am going to try the stick a little bit and see if that works. if not, i recon the waiting game may work with him! Gonna try to go on the circular route next time - it has scary stuff like horses to pass but gonna give it a go!!

[ceej]

went out last night down the scary, but more interesting road!

He was much better...still a bit hard work on the way out and faster on the way home but much better. Took a stick and gave him the lightest tap after he wouldnt go on after a poo stop just to let him know I had it! Annoyingly we had to trot loads on the way home for cars and I am trying to avoid trotting home as he is very keen and I dont want him to get into the habit of jogging. met very scary cows, scary bikes and stupid children. Feeling a bit better now!

[maximum]

well done!! you will find he gets better as he gets used to being on his own. although he is not alone as you are there!

[racaille]

I think this may also be due to boredom: he knows the route well and knows that sooner or later he'll turn for home and supper (which is why he races home!!) Paco can be like this - really reluctant to step out on the paths he knows by heart, but a completely different animal when he is somewhere new!
I do always carry a stick - as Brig says they have LOTS of uses! - but when I sense him slowing down I often ask him to do something different like leg yielding down the track (this may not be an option if you're on a road, however!) Or instead of slouching along on long reins I will ask him to work 'correctly'. Usually works.

[ceej]

hmmm, just to perplex me, Harry decide to jog most of the way round tonight...how annoying. Understandable as Gus (aks head oft he heard) went a week ago and we went out with a mare and gelding who just 'appeared' at our gate (well thats what Harry thinks, thye are my friends!)

Not easy to chat when you are 50 yrd infront

[ceej]

but took him out on my own today, round the scary bit and even did the whole scary, off road, past horses, circuit! So pleased with myself! ;D He was a bit meandery at fist and tried to turn at one point and got a smack ont he shoulder for it...stode on lovely after that! cheeky monkey!!!

[Blonde Donkey]

aww well done sounds fun. that little tap can do wonders

[Maes Seren]

Well done ;D Gotta love them for trying it on and failing to get away with it! ;D

[flash7]

Well done ceej!!