AboutSarah Lothmann Expertise Professional trainer for 10+ years. I happily offer you my expertise, techniques, and advice covering: Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation, Showing, Training, Sales, Behavior, Stabling, Grooming, Tack, Barn Management, Rider Psychology, & Effective Communication.
Experience
Experience: I have been riding for over 23 years. As a kid I participated in 4H and Pony Club. I then worked as a groom and catch rode to pay my entry fees in the A Circuit. As a teenager I competed nationally in the Junior Hunters, USETs, and Medal classes. I've learned from and worked with some of the nations' best trainers. During college I began training professionally. I have prepared my students for both local and national shows. Recently I have organized two local equestrian groups for expanding general knowledge of horsemanship and for ensure the welfare of horses. I continue my dedication in this industry by offering visual design services for equine businesses including, graphic design, web development, and photography.
Education/Credentials AAS Degree, Veterinary Assistant, Professional Trainer
Expert: Sarah Lothmann Date: 5/5/2008 Subject: Training Older mare
Question Hi, I have a quarter horse mare that is 18 years old, I have had her for 6 years and have only loved and fed her. She has always been skidish and very nervous even though for years I have taken care of her. I don't know her backgraound and am not very experianced in training. I have another horse I can ride ok so it has gave me the nerve to start her. She saddles and bits very well and will lunge in the direction I ask, but as soon as I mount and place pressure to go forward she goes backwards instead?? She will lunge forward with me on her but as soon as its the two of us in the round pen she just takes a couple steps back, then I apply pressure and back we go over and over. I'm so proud of her allready because she seems very relaxed with going backwards as if we were walking forward, I'm very confused and looking for any tips there are. Thank you.
Answer Wow! How unique! The two of you definitely have a mystery to solve. If only she could tell us her past! It sounds to me that somewhere in her past she was trained via fear. I am always so disappointed when trainers result to fear based techniques, as it always leads to something like this. Also such techniques in my mind are abusive. You have good reason to be proud of her thus far, and you should be proud of yourself for providing her the trust she has needed to get this far! From what you have described your mare entirely requires patience as she learns what behaviors you are asking of her. Most likely, her previous trainers gave her mixed signals. It is my guess that she was ridden with an overly strong bit, large spurs, and a rider who pulled too hard just after asking her to move forward. I think you will be required to emphasize a light hand when working with her. If you are not already using a Happy Mouth Eggbut Snaffle bit, I would suggest considering trying one. Here is a link to one for sale to show you what I am referring to: http://rmhorsesupply.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_21&products_id... Ask any of your horse friends if anyone has one or something similar, and ask to borrow theirs to see if it is the right bit for your mare. Ultimately she might do very very well with a gentle snaffle of some sort. When you mount her be sure you are not using spurs, or if at all a small round nubby pair. I would be hesitant using a crop unless all else fails, as it tends to create more anxiety in an already nervous horse.
Since she is moving backwards upon you asking her to move forwards, may I suggest altering you expectations slightly. What I mean is let's break down the end goal, to move forward, into lots of little mini goals. You have gained her trust already, so building upon that will in turn give her confidence and you a horse moving forward. Simply put, here is the process:
1. Assure her you have no intention of creating fear within her.
2. When you squeeze or heel tap her, you are NOT asking her to step backwards.
3. You teach her the correct reaction for your action.
4. You assure her that you will forgive her for making a mistake, and reward her for the correct action.
5. You repeat your command until she has has no question about what is expected.
6. Reward Reward Reward
To accomplish these mini goals here is what I would do, or have my students do:
1. Assure her you have no intention of creating fear within her - You can accomplish this by combining a few methods. Begin by relaxing your leg and letting her stand or step backwards, sideways, or forwards. Currently you are not asking her to do anything. Sit in your saddle very quietly and gently move your knuckles onto either side of her withers. Gently and firmly rub your knuckles in circles on the sides of her withers. Native Americans rode without saddles just behind their withers because they observed horses' behavior and noticed that they nibble each others necks as a sign of affection and trust. Native Americans often could mount a wild horse by implementing this technique and others. I have tried this with several anxiety type horses, and it always releases their tension. I spoke to a few equine massage therapists and equine chiropractors, and for each their own reason, all agree that this technique can help bring about a calmer horse. As you do this, use your voice out loud. Speak to her with slow words in a low soothing tone as if you were wanting to put her to sleep with your voice. Some folks feel awkward doing this. If you do you can hum a soothing song. This is critical as it will help to establish a line of communication between you and your horse. This also gives your horse something predictable to rely on. Horses build confidence through routine and repetition! While you remain sitting and not asking, begin to shift from rubbing your knuckles on her withers to slightly up her mane, and eventually smoothing your hand to stroke her neck. Then when you are done, hop off, untack, give her some treats, and let her be for the day. Do this for a few sessions. If she walks around on her own, that's fine. Just keep in mind you are not giving her commands during this part of the process.
2. When you squeeze or heel tap her, you are NOT asking her to step backwards - This part is very tricky. You do not want to undo what you have done in the previous sessions. This is when your patience will ultimately be tested. Begin by standing in the middle of the round pen and gathering your reins so there is no slack nor a tight resisting feel on her mouth. Ideally you will have a straight line from your elbow, through the reins and to the corners of her mouth and you will feel just a slight amount of pressure in your hands from the bit in her mouth. Now gently pull on the right rein while squeezing with the left leg. What you are asking her to do is a casually tight circle to the right. If she steps backwards, remain calm, push your left hand forward more, increase the tension in your right elbow and heel tap with the left heel. If she steps backwards slowly apply more pressure to the right rein and begin to cross her withers with your right hand so almost as to touch your left hip. Physics and the fence of the round pen will ultimately make her turn right. While you are asking you are never anxious, never nervous, never quick or abrupt and never loud. Feel free to hum to her if she becomes frustrated. The very moment she takes one step forward to navigate the turn is the precise moment you give on both the reins and tell her out loud that she is good and stroke her neck. Take a moment for the two of you to revel in your success. Then take a deep breath and try this again only this time asking her to turn left instead of right. Upon the moment of success be sure to again give with your hands and stroker her neck while telling her she is good! Repeat this two more times in both directions. Then hop off, untack, feed her some treats, and be done for the day. Repeat this step for a few more riding sessions.
Now, before I fully explain how to proceed with steps 3,4,5 and 6, I want you to go try this. After you have tried these first two steps let me know how you've progressed. If all is continuing to go well, then I will explain the rest. I don't want to rush either of you as you have given her someone she can trust. If the two of you need more time to accomplish these first two steps, then I can give you some more tips before proceeding to the "retraining" phase of this process. I wish you both success, and please, please keep me posted! I would love to help see you two work through this!
