Poet

[Danielle]

So the past couple times I rode Poet were terrible, he was taking off and fighting me the whole time. I was advised by both Kathy and Lacey to try having nice loose reins and man, did he ever improve! He was walking past the gate without a second though, making walk canter transistions and a little bit of trotting/racking. We worked on ground manners too and he's barely ever pushy anymore. He has gotten pretty attached, and so have I Fantastic progress so far, lesson tomorrow!

[ariana]

Sounds great ! I love hearing about his progress and I'm glad he's smartening up

[Danielle]

Lesson today! He was testing me a lot at first but started to listen a bit better. Then when I asked him for a trot, he took off and I lost my reins, he bucked once, then again and the third time I went flying! He stated kicking when I fell off, but moved away while doing so. I didn't get back on, because I hurt my back and neck and head, I was having a bit of shock and we didn't know how he'd act and didn't want to risk it. Getting back on tomorrow!

[ariana]

hope you are ok ! sounds like you had a pretty nasty fall

[jubag]

: ( hope youre okay, never good to fall off your new pony so soon! hope it doesnt affect your confidence : ))

[Alecia&Bam ♥]

Sounds terrible, but remember don't lose any confidence, everyday is a new day with a fresh beginning, and try not to think about what happened this time the next time you jump in the saddle.
I had a bad experience with savanna the first time i tried ridding her, just need to remember you have to keep at it. : )

[Julieh]

I think I will only add this once for your benifit.
I have ridden this horse a few times, and he is more than testy.
He needs someone who can get on him, and work his little ass off until he can understand the meaning of respect. Its not really reasonable to expect you to get back on with a hurt back or whatever, but thats exactly what he wants is to end being told what to do, and he will throw you.
He tried this with me when I asked him do do simple things - and tried the whole throwing me bit, but realized he wasnt going to be able to get me off his back. And after about 20 minuites of him throwing a fit, bucking and sun diving...and me working his ass off any time he tried that crap...he started to submit and work fine head down and relaxed because he know that when he went to pull a buck, or run with the bit, he was getting pulled into the smallest circle possible and get a shit kicking. Hard annoying work, but it will pay off.
My suggestion is try and get someone with a great seat, and lots of confidence to ride him a few times and give him a good hard working. Not only is it annoying, but its very very dangerous unexeptable behaviour(as you have already experienced) and nothing to be taken lightly.

Just personal experience talking here, from riding this horse.
take it or leave it!
good luck.

[htrimm08]

I strongly second that.

[Lacey]

I'm here if you want my help. I'd be more than willing to help school him.

[Danielle]

We're taking a bit of a step back with him, working a lot on ground work and lunging him with a rider. He obviously needs to be told that this isn't okay. I'll talk to Kathy, but I think Lacey or someone riding him a couple times a week until he smartens up is a good idea

[oxmaybesoxo]

Be careful....remember you only have one back/neck and once they get hurt its very hard to ever 100% heal.

I haven't read the whole training log so I donno if anyone has suggested this BUT have you tried lunging him???

My thought is (and feel free to correct me) if he acts up on a lunge line you can drive him forward where as when your on his back your focus is on staying on. That said you have mentioned he sometimes kicks out do you think he would kick out at you??

Best of luck with Poet he sounds tricky but he's lucky to have someone so devoted to him.

[Danielle]

He's a little resitant to lunging, again with lack of consitant training. I am going to work on that much more, with and without a rider. He may try to kick a couple times but some correction would deal with that.

[oxmaybesoxo]

We must have been posting about lunging at the same time lol

Wear a helmet when you lunge just incase he does kick out

[Danielle]

Haha, that's a good idea! When he kicks, he usually isn't trying to make contact, it's his way of saying back off, but better safe then sorry!

[Lacey]

I'm definitely in, if you want me riding him once or twice a week.
With the longer evenings, I have time for two ponies!
And I very much want to help you and him work out the querks.