Blue Herons flying out of the pond are coming to eat black and white ponies. I have that on good authority from my four year old paint. He SWEARS they are coming to eat him. Though the worst he'll do is jump sideways. He's stopped the spin and FLEE spooks thankfully. My husband will do all he can to try to get him to spook. He's thrown his straw hat at us, he's kicked plastic pool balls to us, he'll swing his rope and throw it at us... so far all he's gotten are some dirty

JG -Seriously! :) Wonder if we painted pink flamingos blue???

What rating are you in PC? I grew up having to train all the horses I rode while competing in PC. Granted, they were never the perfect horse I envisioned, but I did learn to be a better ride for it. Your sister is younger and it sounds like she has some confidence issues whereas you don't, so your mom may just be hoping to find a horse that your sister can work with - that will get her more motivated to ride. As a parent, it's not about your sister being more a priority, it is about balance

How old is he? What kind of bit? I'd do as you said, and free longe him with it. Also make sure it's adjusted properly and fit him properly. Some horses have a shallower palate and prefer something like a french link. Some also don't like the fatter happy mouth type bits and prefer a bit that's not as wide. From the ground, work on him giving to the bit - teach him to give to it when there is pressure - that will make it easier to transition when you're in the saddle. My young

Take a quick appraisal at your own skills - are your legs quiet enough for spurs? I have no qualms riding young horses in spurs - IF - and that's the big IF - your leg is quiet. I'd rather ask once and then tell them - than nag. I've started quite a few young horses and if he's quiet - get him out of the round pen. Go somewhere - will he stop when asked? Does he flex to either side? If yes to these, get him on the trail, or even in an arena if you're not comfortable on the trail

That sounds like a wonderful ride! :)

 

Wahoo! That's awesome! Congratulations!! :) I can't wait to see pictures!!! :)

How large of an area are you working her in? I had some issues with speed with my now 4 year old last fall - he was wanting to rush the canter. He needed time to figure out balance. I did a lot of serpentines with him at a trot, built up his balance and muscles - I also did some hill work. I'm of the mindset when asking for a lope - if they're rushing and unbalanced, don't stop them again immediately. Let them lope on and try to find their balance with a rider. Sometimes it's a lot

Is there anyone local you can take a few lessons from on your horse? I've been working on a sliding stop on my 4 year old, and every time we stop, I ask him to back, I also shift my weight back and sit down on him. He's really wanting to bury his butt when we stop. When you ask a horse to spin, I tend to set mine up, (especially with my green horse) I tip his nose in, and cue with the outside leg and push him around, as he starts to move off my leg, I will drop my hand as he starts around