Horse Moves 2 to 3 Feet at a Time and Stops

Q:

I was given a 3 yr old horse that has been used on trails but is only a follower. I have been doing much ground work, but when I get on him, he will only go 2-3 ft at a time and stop..I don't have a background in training horses and have had help from friends that know more than me , but I really want to figure this out. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

A:

Thanks for asking about this situation with your 3 yr old gelding.  It sounds like your "Whoa" doesn't equal your "GO"!  Here are a few things to consider:

1) Remember that your horse is only three.  He doesn't have many experiences under his saddle, and sometimes giving him confidence by being a follower is the best start to developing his independence.  Give him time.  Set it up where he has be following for a while, then give him a little job to do away from his horse leader.  Maybe the job is just to turn back down the trail and take 3 steps, then turn back up the trail.  Try to change his mind to keep the forward momentum, BEFORE he gets stalled and stops.  Make forward be the right answer.  Keep it simple and reward his little 'try's of following YOUR leadership, rather than his horse leader.

2) In your ground work, concentrate on again making forward the right answer.  Lots of transitions from walk to trot to canter and back down the scale too.  If you have a confident, knowledgeable person to help you, have them lounge the horse while you ride.  Then take the ground human out of the picture, and you try those same transitions.

3) Check your equipment to make sure nothing is pinching or causing pain when the horse moves while your in the saddle.  Often times the lack of desire to "Go" has more to do with a pain issue and ill-fitting equipment - particularly the saddle -  than is does with a negative attitude.

4) Work on your "Please" and "Thank You's":  Before I ask a horse to do something...any kind of a change or transitions...I go through my "Please" part of the Horseman's Protocol. (i.e. Become present & Breathe; Think, Focus/Picture, and Allow/Wait).  I set it up with a positive attitude in my minds I of "asking" the horse to accomplish my picture.  Then I am quick to give the "Thank You" part by releasing and rewarding for his slightest try in the right direction.  Now, if he doesn't get my "Please" parts, and I have waited with a smile on my face for him to respond for a significant amount of time, then I have to reinforce the request in a little more firm manner.  In the case of the horse not wanting to "GO" forward, I might have the end of my lead rope, or a dressage whip handy to help.  BUT, I need to double-check that I have gone through the first parts of my request (Being present, breathing, seeing a clear picture of what I am asking my horse, focus - which prepares my body) BEFORE I utilize a tool such as the whip, spur, or quirt.  You "Ask"...You "Promise" there are going to be consequences...You "Enforce" the consequences.  I want it to get to where your horse responses on the "Ask" part...the "Please" part, so you never have to discuss the consequences again!

Hope this helps.  Good Luck and Good Riding!   Alice

PS: You may want to view the current Tip for the Ride video regarding Liberty Work on my website: www.tnthorsemanship.com and join the blog: www.HorsemanshipJourney.blogspot.com

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