ugh - horse help!

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 07-29-2007, 07:26 PM

So I had to switch to ride on Fridayinstead of tuesday last week. But anyways, Junior was getting his feet done then, so I couldn't ride him. Instead I rode this brat named Casper. He's privately owned. His owner is NOT a good match for him at all. She lets him get away with biting, so now I've got this big welt on my arm from a bite. Plus, she never kicks or smacks him with the crop (even though she really needs to, he's so lazy!) Anyways, I had to ride him. I saddled him up with no problem. Bridled (is that a word?) him. No problem. Then he bit me as I was grabbing a crop before I mounted. He is so inconsistent with the speed of his trot. He was slow, so I gave him a little kick. Nothing. I kicked him a little harder, he sped up a little. So I smacked him lightly, again, almost no response. I was getting annoyed with him, so I smacked him and kicked at the same time lol. he shot forward so fast I almost tumbled off him backwards lmao! Then, when we cantered, things went from bad to...more bad. When his owner, Tammy, rides him, his canter almost has 4 beats instead of 3. They're so uncoordinated. I got him moving faster and smoother, but then he kept dropping his head and I was getting thrown all off balance. I was so glad when we were walking again. It was even worse cantering the other direction! He bucked, I landed on his neck, he bucked again, I almost went flying off. Somehow I managed to get myself back in the saddle. And then he wouldn't stop. I was so scared! Haha I lost a stirrup, and while we were trotting around, I was trying to get it back, but for some reason I was still posting lmao. And his jump....SO wierd. He ALWAYS chips in to get really close to the jump, no matter what I do, and he barely lifts his front end but like pushes really hard with his hind end. The first few jumps I landed like on his neck before I was used to it. Yeah I was SOO glad when that lesson was over. But for some reason, I really want to ride him again. idk why. But i do. lol.
any help on how to get him to stopthis...if I ride him again?

Casper is very cute though :] I got a few pictures after the lesson, when I was walking him around outside:

oh! and for those who still remember me talking about Barney...his owner switched him to a double bridle. he doesn't run away anymore. yeah his owner is still at college though...

**Addie** · 08-03-2007, 02:17 PM

he really is a lovely horse! As for biting, does he try to bite at your feet when your riding? Victor does that to me and I just have to pull harder on the reins to get him to focus on riding and keep his mind occupied. If he's not responding like you want just keep at it...he seems like he's trying to outsmart you (trust me...if you keep asking him for a consistent trot he'll finally give in. Victor tries to do this to me all the time).

Good luck with Casper though!

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 08-04-2007, 08:35 AM

uhm no, he doesn't really bite my feet. He snapped at them once when I was tightening the girth after I got on.

thankfully I haven't ridden him since, but I might have to ride on friday again and that means I might have to ride him...:\

**The_Duck** · 08-04-2007, 10:30 PM

I've never rode English before, so I'm not sure what all is supposed to be different, but the number one thing is just be consistant with him. Just keep asking and don't let your frustrations rule. If you get too rough, it will be more of a hinderance than a help. Just remember to breathe. If you're nervous, he's going to pick up on that. If he starts cantering and won't stop, try an emergancy stop. Just grab a rein and pull his nose right around to your boot. You can't let him keep going or he'll walk all over you. You might een need to consider trying a harsher bit until he learns to mind. As for jumping... I can't help you at all there. I'm too chicken to try something like that. If you do ride him again, I wish you luck. And, yes, he's quite cute.

**critter crazy** · 08-04-2007, 10:33 PM

The problem of him not being your horse, makes it very difficult for you to get him out of bad habits, if his owner lets him get away with everything.

He sure is cute tho.

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 08-12-2007, 12:13 PM

yeah. i wish i could ride him more..with a harsher bit...and basically attack him until he listened lol

the problem with the emergency stop...i can barely get him to turn his head! His neck is so big..and strong! I can't turn him easily! oh well. hopefully the farrier won't be working on juniors feet when/if i ride on friday and I can ride him. :\