Giving In Isn’t Giving Up
Published by GHC • Apr 29th, 2009 • Category: Horse Adviceby Allison, age 13
You have all heard it said at one time in your life, “Show that pony that you are in charge!” or “Change the horse to fit yourself.” Sometimes, a stubborn horse does just need to know that you mean business. Other times, the real problem isn’t quite as it appears.
At the stable where I ride one horse, Patty, has a winning personality — literally. It’s what makes her an amazing barrel horse; it’s what makes her who she is. You are probably asking yourself, what’s wrong with that? Why would you need to change a horse like that? And you are right, you don’t need to change her. Patty is a nervous horse; she is always expecting you to go faster and faster. And when you tense up a little, she is gone! Instead of trying to change her and to change this trait that makes her such a great barrel horse, I changed myself. Every time she began speeding up, instead of tensing and yanking on the reins, which only makes her go faster, I relaxed and talked soothingly to her. I didn’t need to change her. I’m glad she is the horse she is. I could find her rhythm much more easily than the other horses — she is the horse I mastered the canter on.
So whenever you catch yourself thinking, “I wish this horse would just change!” remember that giving in isn’t giving up. Sometimes you are the one who has to change.
Bravo! CHampion blog! Right on you took the words right from the horse’s mouth! =0)
~HF
You are so right, Allison! I’ve always found a way to befriend the horse and not dominate it, especially when the teacher says, “Crop him!!” or, “Show him who’s boss!” It’s another form of horse abuse! When you work with the horse, it’s a lot easier and more fun to ride with him, as a partner. Great blog!
This is very well written and also holds a lot of truth. Sometimes fighting your horse to meet your demands isn’t right. You need to work with your horse and make adjustments in your riding.
However, it is important to keep in mind that sometimes it is the horse just being bad. I’ve ridden a few horses that over the years have developed extremely bad habits and need to be punished for it. It’s not cruel if not in excess and you need to gain a horse’s respect. Spurs and whips help us reinforce what is acceptable and what is not.
But yes, every horse is ridden differently, and it is the rider’s responsibility to perform the way the horse needs.
Excellent blog!
Great blog.
Horsey at Heart, I think it is wonderful that you are using different signals with horse instead of a crop! Thanks for the compliment, HorseFeathers!!!!
That blog was great! Right on! Bravo! Brilliant! Why does the horse always have to change? Sometimes it’s the rider that should change. Great blog allison!
I agree Allison with you blog but i also agree with Juila’s statement. At sometimes the horse does need to be taught a lesson. They can be onrey and stubburn just like us pre-teens and teens out there. I mean say your a stallion and this little kid jumped on your back and told you to git a move on… i know there would be no way id listen without training, dicipline, and a bit in my mouth. I guess it depends on the individual horse to.. sometimes it is the humans fault. =0)
~HF
I really like this blog! Its sooo true…… Great job!
That’s so true, Allison. I agree! Awesome blog.
Everyone who mentioned that sometimes you have to be stubborn with some horses to get them to listen to you, I agree! I think that it is always important to check a horse’s motives before punishment, though!