Let me briefly introduce you to my horse, Gunners Greatest, ("Gunny").
Gunny is a 9 year old, bay tobiano, registered American Paint Horse. She stands at 15.1 hh and is built very stocky. Her previous owner, who sold her to me, originally bought her to be a roping horse. I have shown her in open shows, doing mostly novice showmanship, western horsemanship, and western pleasure. We actually have done quite well in those classes, but she was absolutely miserable at those shows. She's quite high energy and likes to move. She has a hard time standing still and doing things she doesn't want to do.
Gunny had about 60 days of "training" on her when I purchased her. Her previous owner, who was my "trainer" told me that she would help me work with her to get her up to par. Cathy (my trainer) has been a very successful horsewoman, taking a World Championship Friesian Saddleseat award, winning many roping competitions, many first place saddleseat ribbons at local shows, owns a grand champion halter horse, etc. The only stipulation is, I have been taught to force my mare into complying and working her hard to take her "edge" off. Gunny is an alpha mare and is very headstrong. Her original owner (Before Cathy owned her) would ride her and whenever she would balk, swish her tail, buck, or otherwise misbehave, the lady would get off, unsaddle her, and put her away. I think that will forever be ingrained in her mind, as she always has to test your authority.
As you can see, I have been taught that force is the only way to get my mare to go correctly. It's been four years of teaching her this, so it is all she knows. It's going to be a long process, but I know with hard work and dedication, there is hope for our partnership!
With the help of Don Blazer from www.horsecoursesonline.com, I am working toward rehabilitating her training into a form of non resistance and a quality partnership.
My first step is to go back to square one. Lunging before riding and teaching her to walk in a small circle on a loose rein. I have to teach her to think "slowly" and "relaxed". I do not want her stressed out, fighting me, nor the bit, and stopping only on a verbal command.
I will document her progress via videos and text throughout the course of her training. I am looking forward to this new project!
I need to teach myself patience and not be in a hurry to move forward.
My goal ultimately is to be able to walk, jog, and lope on a loose rein, collectedly speaking, stop on command, and have my horse not be totally miserable while doing so. I want to be able to do every maneuver in a snaffle bit, without the use of harsher bits, tie-downs, martingales, or other training devices. I want to have my horse ENJOY being with me and willingly do everything I ask.
Unfortunately, my barn owner and Cathy do not really agree with not using training devices or severe bits. It will be a challenge to do my own thing and not to seek their approval, like I once did. The success and achievement in itself will be more fulfilling than the approval, anyway.
Wish me luck!
Have a great day,
Meaghan
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