Sofie

[Sarah and Rudy]

Yesterday I got on Sofie with the help of two people. She never stands still and my breeches had absolutely NO stretch. Dad gave me a leg up and Tamsin held Sofie. Then I walked around for a bit, and Sofie was being a big pain in the butt! When I turned her, she pulled her head one way, and my arm nearly snapped off. She was crooked as sin! I couldn't trot because if I even put my legs on a bit, she'd get p.o-ed at me!
On Christmas she was pretty good, except when I was walking her around on the ground, Rudy reached out and big her butt and she reared and I fell over. But she stood pretty still and I got on fine and went for a little stroll.
Two days before Christmas, she kept kicking when I went to get on, and she moved, and the mounting block slipped and I pretty much fell underneath her. Then a mouse ran around so I was freaking out, but Sofie just walked around like the lazy arse she is!

[kristen]

when you pulled did you just pull on her mouth? because if you did try plucking 1-2-3 is steady motions it works really good.

[Sarah and Rudy]

kristen said:

when you pulled did you just pull on her mouth? because if you did try plucking 1-2-3 is steady motions it works really good.

Cool, thanks!


Yesterday I gave Sofie the day off. I just cuddled her in the field and gave her some apples!
Tomorrow I'll probably be riding her.

[theskyisthelimit]

kristen said:

when you pulled did you just pull on her mouth? because if you did try plucking 1-2-3 is steady motions it works really good.

plucking may not be the best thing to do to a horses mouth, IMO... especially when you do not know what kind of bit this horse is being ridden in!



Sarah and Sofie: as you may or may not know, horses will brace against even pressure, many people teach that if you GENTLY pull and release, pull and release, the horse will respond better. This may have been what "kristen" was referring to...

Also don't forget to use your seat and outside leg to help turn her as well as outside rein to counter balance her actions...

good luck with the cute horse!

[Sarah and Rudy]

ARGH.
Yesterday was the worst ride ever. Sofie was kicking and wiggling when I went to get on, and Dad had to lift me on her. Immedetly when I got on she started backing up and wouldn't stop. I pushed my reins forward and loosened on them and used my legs and she didn't move. Then I was like "SOFIE! MOVE!", and she finally walked on. She was extremely grumpy and was trying to buck. Finally, I got off in tears and my dad took her in.

[splash]

Hey Sarah, hang in there! This too shall pass

A couple of things to keep in mind. Teaching a horse to stand still to be mounted begins on the ground. Your horse must learn that woah means woah whever you are! PM me if you wanna hear what works for me. Bit detailed to post

Also remember that horse are super sensitive critters that look to us for leadership in lieu of their herd. If Sofie is rattling you then she'll pick up on that and in turn it will make her more upset and so on and so on....you get my drift You really need to walk away from her when she starts to rattle you....walk away and take deep breaths until you feel calmier and better able to tackle her firmly and calmly. Then I'd suggest you walk her a few minutes to communicate to her that you are now calm and won't tolerate her foolishness.

Having said that don't imagine for a minute that I or anyone else hasn't had a ride end in tears It's part of the learning curve. Remember patience and that Sofie will pick up on your upset so take deep breaths, loosen your tighs, deepen your seat and refuse to let her get to you. Practice makes it easier.

All the best to you both.

[Sarah and Rudy]

Thank you!!!

[Hilary]

Sarah,

Just keep an open Mind

I was in a lession today with a lady from Bc, and at some points my horse Clay would Not go forward and decided to back up, What she told me to do is to pull the rain to the inside of the arena and ask for a tight circle, this will make her go forward.
If she still doesent go farward squeeze as hard as you can and bring her to another direction, ( like a big circle). If this still doesent work, Back her up as far as she can go and keep ging and going till you think she had enought, then ask her to go farword , if this still doesent work try these methods over and over agan until she finally lissions to you..

As to the moving when you are trying to get on thing, dont worry agan it is just a faze, Take it slowley... Clay Does it to and it bugs the Hell out of me but paitions is a good thing.... NEVER GET OFF THE STOLL! very importand, Use your rains to bring her into a circle around you and stop her were you can get on... this may take a while but after a while she will get sick of going round and round. Also what you can try doing is getting on and off her a couple times during your ride and let her get used to mounting and dismounting


Thats all I can think of

Kepp Smiling!

[stephaniec]

I agree with hanging in there. Believe me, I've been through it all with my mare, and I still go through it with her a few times a year. She's tried everything, even what you described about moving backward etc. I got frustrated to the point where I even wanted to sell her, but took the advice of my coaches and stuck it out. It will pass. They all go through phases, and yes, when you are frustrated, walk away. You frustration will only pass on to her, and she'll get frustrated too. Keep trying. Eventually it will work out

[Hilary]

How did it make out after?

[Sarah and Rudy]

hilarym said:

How did it make out after?

I actually havn't ridden her since, but Ashley rode her in her lesson and Sofie was pretty good! She actually cantered. If I can get a ride up, I'll probably hop on her.

[sarahparmiter]

d'aww.. that sounds awful.. [about the whole her being an idiot thing] i agree with 'splash'
it'll probably pass.., when i rode taffy, she had random fits like that too. stupid maress. lol
did you ride her in anything new.. like a new bit,saddle, bootiiess or something?. maybe something's pinching herr.. . and those times that you rode when she was kicking and acting up, was Rudy near??. if rudy was around, she probably didn't want you to get on, because she knew that you would obviously have to ride pass rudy., so her natural instinct would probably be to not let you get on, in fear of being bit by rudy again......... ?? or maybe that nip from rudy, pinched a nerve, and she was sore. i don't know.. she might of just been hvaing those mood swings, all mares randomly gett.. but i hope she's doing well..


*sarah*

[Sarah and Rudy]

I havn't ridden Sofie in a long time! Ashley has been riding her, and she is so great with her! She got her to canter, which is great!!! Katie rode her yesterday in her lesson, I'm not sure how that went, anybody wanna fill me in? hah

[seahorse]

I had a really good lesson on Sofie of Saturday. We did walk trot and she was really good. She is very different from Sidney to ride. My legs will get strong in a hurry by riding Sofie. Thank you very much Sarah, Sofie is a sweet mare and you are very lucky.
K

[oxmaybesoxo]

A little up date on sofie for sarah! She been useed in lessons with liz for a few weeks now and is learning very quickly! I rode her friday past and she stood perfectly on crossties, no kicking biting etc. Also didn't move while mounting, she has beautiful movements at walk trot and is still working on her canter.
Sarah hang in there you have alot of wonderful people supporting you and sofie shes still young and is learning and you have to remember your her teacher. Shes come such a long way in such a short period of time imagine what she'll be like by the summer
Good Luck!!