11/12/12

#83 Terror, Circles & Loop Reins

I am so glad that I  learned how to circle and use loop reins while I am going around like a big dog.  Geez !  I am training my 4 year old mule -- Chester Gibbs - a little doll baby.

Have done tons of ground work - mules are so smart and catch on so fast that it is almost scary.  So, anyway, he  is my big buddy - comes when he is called and follows me around everywhere.  We are stuck to each other like glue.

He has been testing me in a big way the past 2 days and a few times last week.  That is just what equines do - but each time I have stepped up to the plate and the behavior resolved itself.

  He is still very young and immature and, like a kid, gets cranky and wants to do just what he wants.

Well, yesterday I got the cojones to ride him - about two 10 minute rides - he was quite good - oops, forgot to mention that the first ride he spun me around like a top but then we did get everything sorted out.  So, basically 2 nice rides -- cool !

Today rode the little bugger for about 10 minute and he was freaking amazing - turns at the lightest touch, stops on a dime, etc.  A couple hours later I wanted to ride him again - can you say NIGHTMARE !!!!!  It's been a long time since I have had that kind of fear - and I am not happy that it has  re-visited  me again.


Todays  second ride - right at the git-go - started immediately with  a buck - I grabbed and spun him around on the left side and round and round we went and then he stopped - and I got off because I was scared s--tless.

But I know that that is a very bad thing to do because he wins, meaning that I have permanently lost.  So, get up there time the second time  - same thing a buck and circling  - got off again.  Not good.

  So, get up there 3rd time and we are at it again -  I tried to turn him to the right - forget that - he is so strong that I would need a come-along to turn him - so quick as a fly, we went back to the left and then he stopped and I got off again

 I know I have to get this job done right and I am very afraid but I had better do it.

Alas, got on him the 4th time - Chester was good as gold for a spell but then he had the crazies again.  .  I had serious white knuckles going on but figured I HAVE to ride this mess out, and while I am still on him I NEED to get him to calm down - well, it worked for a few seconds really nice but then we started the crazies again - same ride still - FORCED, FORCED, FORCED myself not to get off  but to  keep riding it out - which I did - he became calm again - I am still scared to death - but we rode calmly doing the "walk-stop" exercise about 9 times and then I got off on a good note. And breathed !

I am not real happy about this obviously and I have a feeling that this is going to take at least half a dozen more rides until we get this sorted out - meaning I have to control that darn fear again - each time - whew !!!

Such is the lovely world of equines !!!


Adventure Horse Riding in NYS            Smilla13@gmail.com  (Mary Dixon)         www.RideNYS.com

3 comments:

  1. Wish I was there to help !!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Horses are tremendously smart and receptive to your state of mind. Once you become relaxed around horses, picking up the basics can be pretty simple, once it is trained on a regular basis.
    Read more to know the personalities of horses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I checked you out - very cool - like what and how you do things.

    ReplyDelete