tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622814511898132197.post2915553857422317127..comments2023-03-18T01:48:07.976-07:00Comments on Spazfilly: Cow Ponyspazfillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165692758574924371noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622814511898132197.post-83227621828925158802009-06-01T09:48:02.870-07:002009-06-01T09:48:02.870-07:00Thank you both for your detailed responses. I'm st...Thank you both for your detailed responses. I'm starting to feel a bit more resolution about where I am with Halo. I think maybe my sudden bout of worry may not have been totally warranted, but yet I'm glad I had it, because it reminds me that I am doing my best to be a conscientious horse owner/trainer.<BR><BR>I think this summer is the perfect time to get her out to see some stuff. Depending on how she is, maybe it will be okay to get on for a couple minutes, and maybe not. But I'm not going to necessarily set out with a concrete plan for those scenarios. I think a lot of what is done with her at this age relies on me playing it by ear and knowing what she's ready for. Tara, you're right that it's kind of a "mom" sense. Even though I was scared, I would not have chosen to get on Halo at the cattle drive had I felt it would be anything other than a positive experience.<BR><BR>That's been one of the most fun parts of training Halo - figuring out how to set her up to succeed, and knowing when to push her limits a little and when to step back. It will always be a work in progress.spazfillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06165692758574924371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622814511898132197.post-22294115332375537532009-05-29T09:19:31.966-07:002009-05-29T09:19:31.966-07:00What good questions! I'm thankful that your involu...What good questions! I'm thankful that your involuntary dismount was not the result of Halo's attitude, but instead, due to a reaction from another horse. I would not expect that Halo would link the negative experience of being kicked, or of you coming off, with being ridden. She was forced to go into herd mode by the other horse, and it seems as though immediately afterward, her attention was back on you. <br /><br />My opinions are as follows. I think that mounting and ponying from time to time will maintain the positive experience of you being on her back. <br /><br />I think that the line between riding and just being on her back MAY be when you actually take some sort of reins in your hands and control the horse on your own.<br /><br />I honestly think that you will know when it's time to cross that line. If you continue ground driving, longing, and all of your other ground work, I believe that you will reach a point that she will perform consistently in all of those activities. Then will be the time to mount up and begin them from her back. However, you can begin some short activities, such as flexing, from her back while you're sitting up there, if you'd like. <br /><br />So, to sum it up, I think you will know when the time comes, as sort-of a mom instinct.Tara Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03550759882196276102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622814511898132197.post-67156166319903896772009-05-29T03:29:06.039-07:002009-05-29T03:29:06.039-07:00Thank you for your very good post - it raises some...Thank you for your very good post - it raises some interesting questions. First, I think it was a great idea to take your horse along on the cattle drive - the more things young horses are exposed to, the better. Second, I think you've done a great job with your horse and I also think she's just wonderful - the calm, relaxed expression she has in the photos tells the story. It's a real testament to what a great horse she is, and what a great job you've done, that you could get on her in a strange situation (no helmet :( though!).<br /><br />I agree completely with you that young horses should not be ridden extensively before they are completely physically mature. I think a lot of people unfortunately believe that because they can ride a young horse, that they should. They also tend to do what everyone else around them does. A lot of horses end up with chronic soundness issues as a result of this.<br /><br />You are the one that gets to decide how old your horse should be before you ride - not someone else. If people ask you about it, or try to pressure you to do more - it's probably better not to argue with them or try to change their minds. I find that when I get in situations like this, I just say that that is what I've decided to do, period. You're under no obligation to explain yourself, and don't let other people pressure you - it doesn't matter if they agree with you or not.<br /><br />There are lots of things you can do beside riding. As you point out, ground driving is great for young horses - you can go lots of places and do lots of things. You can do obstacle courses, mazes, etc., in hand. You can do some tricks together - or even clicker training if you wish. It looks like you've got a wonderful horse - so the sky's the limit. Just be creative - your horse will love it. And then once in a while, refresh the mounted work you've already done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com