Poet

[Danielle]

March 30th.

Great day I had a lesson and Kathy lunged him with me on him. We worked on his resistance, first at walk and woah, then walk and trot. By the end, he was doing consecutive circles at a trot. He was good for bridling and haltering, he put his head up a little, but his feet didn't move. This was done in the hallway too, so I was very pleased overall with him today

[happilyeverafter]

Mar 24, 2010 21:20:56 GMT -3 Danielle said:

1) When I try to trot Poet past the gate, he speeds up and ducks towards the gate. He also ducks off certain rails. I've tried open rein, direct rein and when I used my legs he canters and hes even harder to control.

In my past 4 years riding horses under the age of 5, I have to say that sometimes the only thing to do is ride the forward energy and just go with whatever they're willing to give you.

Unfortunately I think this may be too much for you as a rider, so it might be worth having someone experienced school him on this, a few times, for you.

[Danielle]

I have had someone school him a few times for me and she's going to continue to help me with his issues. Thanks

April 2nd.

Another lunge line day. He was a little better today, still a long ways to go. He was moving into a nice trot in both directions and listening really well.

[star]

I had the opportunity to ride a RMH while I was in NS last week. I have to say that I really enjoyed the gaited ride - very smooth. If I were you I wouldn't try to "get him out of it", rather I'd try to learn more about the breed and take advantage of his natural abilities by nuturing them. I don't want you to take this as a criticism, it's just my opinion.

[Danielle]

A very valid opinion. He has barely even gaited lately, he's been going into a trot automatically.

April 4th.

We worked some in hand today. Where I didn't ride yesterday, he was a little stupid today, but nothing major. He was really bad for picking out his back feet, so I have to work with him on that. We went for a little ride, just in the top half. He was good, listening to my leg and not even looking at the gate. Lesson tomorrow morning

[jubag]

He is such a beautiful horsie!
glad he is coming along for you!
If i had a rocky i would most definitely want him to wtc not gaint like some people are suggesting. I understand its their breeding to gaint but you bought a horse for the show circuit here and unfortunately that is only for wtc. No point working on western pleasure if you want to show hunter right? JMO! keep up the excellent work! He is related to velvet somewhere down the lines isnt he? She turned out to be such a lovely horse u/s and im sure he will to.
keep up the good work and determination!

[Jess]

I'm not saying this to be snotty or nasty, so please don't misconstrue my intent, but I'm honestly really confused by this entire thread. If you don't want your horse to gait, why would you buy a gaited horse? It takes generations of breeding to produce a naturally gaited horse like a RMH. Gaited horses are highly prized by a lot of individuals who really appreciate and enjoy the smoothness of the gaits that come naturally to them, particularly trail riders and older riders. From what you have said, you don't want him to gait because you just want a horse to w/t/c that you can show around here. Maybe Poet isn't the right horse for you, or at least for what you want now. I only mention it because I have seen a lot of horses soured and a lot of riders frustrated because they are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole - they want something from their horse that is not innate to them or that they don't have the ability to do. It's unfortunate and it always turns out to be a lose-lose situation from what I have seen.

[Amyy]

Can we not clog her training thread with to gait or not to gait?

Start a new thread if you wish to discuss it

[ariana]

^ that's what I was thinking. . .but for Danielle's sake, she has mentioned many of times in this that she's not trying to get him out of it right now. She just lets him gait or trot, whatever comes out of him. From what I'm reading and understanding, he tends to trot !

[1234]

Hey girl. You are very lucky to have Poet. I'd love to have a Rocky, and I'd love to have a rocky that did w/t/c.

I don't see anyone here putting up a fuss about STB's being rehabilitated to show homes where they have to learn to trot.

[Rodeo]

I'm sorry to be the b.itch here, but I have to say this (because I learned from my own experience).

Why did you buy a green broke horse that was previously a stallion and gelded late, for a first horse? From what I have read, you should be riding an experienced horse to bring you along rather than a horse that should be ridden and handled by experienced riders.

I'm not saying that to be rude, I'm just pointing out the obvious. If I wanted a trail pony, and went to Ottawa and bought Cativa, what would people have to say about that? They would say I should have bought a trail pony!

Your horse is a beautiful animal. He has been bred to do what he does best. Why try and change that? If you want a horse to w/t/c and jump, why not look for a horse that can do that?

I wish you all the best, I really do. But IMO, I think you would enjoy your riding and learning experience alot more with a horse suited to what you need.

[langb80]

I think Danielle is working really hard with this horse, and from the posts that she puts on here she is also being consistent. I at first also thought she may be in over her head with Poet, but she seems to have quite a few people helping her. I think some people need to take a step back and look at themselves before being so judgmental.

[jewelsmith28]

I can agree with both parties. There are times where I ask myself why in gods name did I buy a retarded 6 year old that fell on me? For starters, I should have been looking for a horse with training to improve my riding, but instead I got Sab, and I would never part with her for the world. We get attached to the fool animals. We don't so much have good and bad days, it's more like good and bad months.

No one else can tell you what you can acheive with your horse. Only you can decide if your in over your head. But if you think you are, then you need to look at another horse. The worst thing ever is not wanting to ride becuase the whole time your remmebering bad things that happened, and you cant relax because your nervous.

That being said, you seem to be doing an excellent, consistant job with him. He sounds like a huge brat at times, and your dealing with it. Good for you. Keep up the good work.

[Rodeo]

Apr 5, 2010 20:05:56 GMT -3 langb80 said:

I think Danielle is working really hard with this horse, and from the posts that she puts on here she is also being consistent. I at first also thought she may be in over her head with Poet, but she seems to have quite a few people helping her. I think some people need to take a step back and look at themselves before being so judgmental.

I'm not quite sure if you are talking about me here, but I'm not being judgemental. I might think that Danielle could have made a better choice in getting herself a suitable mount, but I certainly don't think I'm any better for it. I don't even know Danielle. My advice was for her to get herself a horse to bring her riding along, rather than have to deal with problems like she is having. Because I have experience in dealing with a horse like that, I know where she is comming from. My first horse was the wrong horse for me, and it was a long hard road to get her to the point where she was safe and reliable.

Danielle, I really hope you can bring your boy along like you want. But I also hope if he is too much for you, that you can find a suitable horse that brings you along like you want

[oxmaybesoxo]

Apr 5, 2010 23:14:41 GMT -3 jewelsmith28 said:

We don't so much have good and bad days, it's more like good and bad months.

Amen to that!