Update on Flicka.

[Yip]

I've brought her in along with Cookie and groomed each time, but haven't spent much one on one time with her since Cookie's fall. Last thing I said about her was how bratty she had become since I was giving her treats with her chiro exercises. I stopped feeding her by hand, and while she sniffs me each time, she has stopped the rude mugging for treats.

She was good on the ground when she arrived, but after settling in and "working her way up in the herd," she had begun getting in my space. While rehabbing Cookie, I did a little groundwork and only rode Flicka sporadically for a few minutes each time. It looks like I've taught her to flat walk and she's gotten used to the indoor arena.

The constant issue under saddle has been her head tossing, more when turning right but sometimes left too. I knew she had at least one hook so called out the vet, who didn't find much, so did a routine manual float. She didn't have any serious chiro issues either so it appears Flicka was well cared for in her home the past 10 years. Anyway, then I tried different bits, my Dr. Cook bitless again, and even rode her in her halter with a rope rein. Nothing changed so I figured she was bullying me or had been ridden Western in a shanked bit, which I don't have available yet.

So today, I brought Flicka in alone (which Cookie did not understand!) and did groundwork first. Perfect! I had to wonder if having Cookie there every other time affected Flicka's behavior. So I tacked up & tried yet another bit. When turning, I raised my hand high, and Flicka all but stopped the head shaking/snaking. When she did, I gave her a kick and she turned. Seems she was bullying me and was trained differently than I'm used to! After sorting that out, we wokked on finding her best gait. It came and went, and we ended the ride after half a lap of a nice, smooth gait! She hadn't done anything stupid or scary, and we cleared a couple issues up. It was our best ride ever! I'm hoping there's a lesson in the outdoor on Friday because she does better with other horses in the ring and I feel able to rate her speed now.

Yaay, us! I feel hopeful today.

[Jenni]

I am surprised the vet didn't find much. In my experience head tossing is almost always a dental issue. It looks like you found your answer though in the different way of asking. You might also still need to find a bit that is "the one" for her. It usually takes me about 4 bits to find a horses favorite - I tend to ride in hackamores most of the time. Either way I wouldn't really call her behavior bullying - more like she was trying to tell you that she didn't understand what you wanted and it felt wrong. Some horses will just roll with it and do the things they think you want without arguing. Other horses will not even try to figure out what you want and just fight you on it.

[Yip]

Yes, Flicka is a sweet horse, but she seems unyielding in her expectations. I'm trying to find common ground. When I find a good bit, I can take Western lessons from the BO. I want this to work.

I really got to hug her and talk to her undisturbed yesterday. Usually I have both mares tied in the indoor and alternate my attention. She was so sweet, and her big dark brown eyes just melt my heart.

She is built differently from my other horses (narrower behind the shoulder) and I suspect her saddle could fit better. I already know my Tucker is too wide for Flicka. I sure don't want to sell 2 beloved saddles until I'm sure of a good fit between horse and me. This is one of those times when being part of a stable is good. I will be able to borrow saddles & bits, hoping to find what works best before selling and buying.

I have recently made 2 new friends at the barn. Missy has only been around for 3 months, and she's usually arriving as I'm leaving. Then about 2-3 wks ago, a new gal came with her Saddlebred, who is blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. She's really nice, I love Jamocha, and I got to see her ride yesterday for the first time. Wow! They competed for years on the A Circuit in Park classes, and Jamocha is well-trained and a gorgeous mover! Our stable is of mixed horse breeds and jobs, but Jamocha is in a class by himself in beatuy and training! Anyway, she & Missy can only ride in the evenings, so I'm going to adjust my schedule and ride with them in the outdoor under the lights, now that it gets dark by 6 PM. The indoor is also well-lighted.

[Marci]

Sounds like your having fun, and finding out what works with your girl. Don't you wish they came with instructions? LOL I miss the riding, especially in an indoor with friends. Sigh.
Shadow after she hurt her tongue could only take something with a port that didn't touch it. She loved those Mylar bits. My friend let me borrow one, it was the first bit she wore after her accident. It sometimes got exciting riding the beach with her bitless. LOL
Perhaps her tongue gets pinched on that side? And holding the rein up doesn't do that. Though I think the walker people do carry their hands high. Now to overcome the low hand training? LOL
If you can try adding music to the arena riding, its AMAZING! Like dancing, I know Shadow just loved it.

[Yip]

An owner's manual would be worth paying a lot extra for, lol! I would do it! I guess if we can adjust to each other by spring, I'll be very happy. There is a lovely couple (only guy at the barn!) and 2 singles who haul out often to ride trails. I so want to go with them! They are all friends. The couple's Walkers are in the stalls across from Cookie, and she knows the mare well from their pasture.

Music is a great idea for riding inside! TY! The other barn has a radio going a lot of the time & I'm glad my barn is quiet. Our stalls are in the barn with the indoor. I would be annoyed by "noise" all the time, but for riders it would be good.

[snelson]

Nice for you and Flicka Seems like she wanted you to listen to her but also wanted a little more of the take in the give and take!!

I have trained my own horses for such a long time that I had forgotten what it is like to ride a horse that you know very little about. It takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what they know and how they behave. The new horse we got for our daughters is a perfect example. We started back with groundwork.

Glad the head tossing has been solved. Pebbles would do that when I tried to ride with a bit but would be perfectly quiet with the halter. Vet checked her teeth, had the equine dentist out also and there was nothing wrong with her teeth. Tried different bits to accommodate for a shallow palate but she just wouldn't adjust so I ride her in a sidepull. I did just get a little s, so going to see how that works.

Fun to have friends in the barn. Makes riding more fun, although there are days when it is nice to be by myself with the horses so I don't get distracted

[Yip]

snelson, sounds like you had the same issue with Pebbles. And nothing physical was wrong...because that would be too easy to fix, haha...but more stubborn horse or opinion, which is more difficult.

I rode this eve. under the lights with one of the gals and I really enjoyed it. She said she doesn't feel self-conscious riding with me. I told her I'm paying close attention to what I'm doing, so just keep track of where she is in the arena and which direction she's traveling. I have my own hands full, haha!

I rode both mares tonight but if we're going to do this often, I'll alternate them. It took me longer to prepare and untack two and I felt rushed, although M. wasn,t pressuring me.

I rode Cookie first and she balked or refused a lot at first. We found ourselves spinning in circles because she didn't want to approach that area from either direction. I just tried to be patient and talk to her. Finally, she followed General and everything was fine. I wonder how long I'm going to have this issue before she'll just go in and work.

I rode Flicka next and true to form, it takes her a little while to focus and settle into her work. She doesn't want any direct contact with the bit until I ask her to change what we're working on. I tried, but then had no control over direction. Even with the snaffle, I found if I raised my hands she would whoa. I'm going to get a short shanked bit and learn how to use it. She likes this broken thick rubber mouthpiece best so far, but still plays with it. I'm thinking of a solid rubber mullen mouth bit, curver for less tongue pressure. Correct me if any of you has a better idea. Anyway, we had a good ride again, 2 in a row! I believe she likes me but doesn't understand why I don't understand, haha!

[Yip]

snelson, sounds like you had the same issue with Pebbles. And nothing physical was wrong...because that would be too easy to fix, haha...but more stubborn horse or opinion, which is more difficult.

I rode this eve. under the lights with one of the gals and I really enjoyed it. She said she doesn't feel self-conscious riding with me. I told her I'm paying close attention to what I'm doing, so just keep track of where she is in the arena and which direction she's traveling. I have my own hands full, haha!

I rode both mares tonight but if we're going to do this often, I'll alternate them. It took me longer to prepare and untack two and I felt rushed, although M. wasn,t pressuring me.

I rode Cookie first and she balked or refused a lot at first. We found ourselves spinning in circles because she didn't want to approach that area from either direction. I just tried to be patient and talk to her. Finally, she followed General and everything was fine. I wonder how long I'm going to have this issue before she'll just go in and work.

I rode Flicka next and true to form, it takes her a little while to focus and settle into her work. She doesn't want any direct contact with the bit until I ask her to change what we're working on. I tried, but then had no control over direction. Even with the snaffle, I found if I raised my hands she would whoa. I'm going to get a short shanked bit and learn how to use it. She likes this broken thick rubber mouthpiece best so far, but still plays with it. I'm thinking of a solid rubber mullen mouth bit, curver for less tongue pressure. Correct me if any of you has a better idea. Anyway, we had a good ride again, 2 in a row! I believe she likes me but doesn't understand why I don't understand, haha!