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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Gait Discussions > Any Smooth Saddle Gaits > I think my TWH fox trots... is that okay? |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Gait Discussions > Any Smooth Saddle Gaits > I think my TWH fox trots... is that okay? |
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| I think my TWH fox trots... is that okay? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21st, 2010 10:05 pm |
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21st Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss 
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Teaching him the one rein stop might help a lot since you are worried about his brakes. Our member, Zippy..., wrote this about the one rein stop: (Thanks again, Zippy) I find the best way to train a one-rein stop is to micro-manage your horse. First, you have to establish lateral flexion at a halt - IMO, you can never do enough of this. A horse can never bend from side to side at the head and neck softly and easily enough. It is foundational to getting the horse to bend his body. The important distinction here is that you want the horse to take the tension out of the rein. if he turns his head to the side, but you are still holding it there, he hasn't learned anything. Likewise, if he gives to the lateral flexion, but is allowed to go back straight immediately, without having to relax, he learns nothing.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22nd, 2010 02:52 am |
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22nd Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member 
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Thank you Whatta, You're right the one rein stop is a very important manuever to have installed on a horse that's difficult to stop. I believe he has had some experience with the one rein stop. When he ran away with me... I was in a narrow area between two paddock areas. Both sides were lined with electrical fencing. I was unable to do any kind of circle or turning manuevers without taking out fencing and horses. It was only a short distance and I was able to ride it out, when we reached the end he hesitated enough for me to get him stopped. After that incident I practiced the one rein stop manuever in the arena area. I can pull him into a very tight circle and regain control and we do practice this often. After viewing some of these videos I was able to see some of MY mistakes. I have been WAY too passive in asking him to stop, and my hands are too high. I am really going to focus this week on improving those areas and see if it makes a difference. Question though...he does flex alot easier to the right than the left. He is very stiff and will often resist when I ask him to bend to the left...both with and without a bit. Is that normal? I flex him both ways each time I ride him, as a "warm up" exercise. Of course that is after I get him stopped after walking off while mounting...LOL. It helps him loosen up and also gets him to focus. Barbi
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22nd, 2010 06:30 pm |
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23rd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member 
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sisbarbo wrote: I'm most concerned with having a good braking system than anything else. Hi Barbi, I have enjoyed your insights on your TWH. He looks a lot like Rain, my 16hh, black TWH gelding. I had some issues with Rain in the beginning, even a full-scale bolt, but we seem to have made great progress now. I am now totally smitten by Rain and enjoy riding him much. On walking off when mounting, Rain did this in the beginning. The next time I mounted, I circled him two times to the right, two times to the left. Then halted him by sitting back fully and purposely in my seat. If he was still antsy and wanting to move out, we did the circle set again. Just 2 times to the right, twice to the left. Halt. That seemed to teach him fast. Too many circles and a horse may get upset. If you want to teach backing up in the saddle, do it after the circles and the halt. At that point, they are ready to either move their feet more (but by your direction) or be still. This gives them two choices and they will often take the "be still" moment after a few circle sets. Or they get training in backing up. But once they are still, reward by relaxing the reins and sitting still yourself. Remember on the "back up" within the circle set, to release your slight pull back on the reins the moment they give backwards, or else they associate backing up with correction by the bit. You want the "back up" to work their mind with a sense of ease, not their discomfort level. On the ground back up, there is little discomfort in the mouth so they are usually happier to perform it. Also, TWHs seems to float more on a back up with a swing motion, more careful in their feet placement, sometimes a little awkward, so swing in the saddle with them... sort of like a close dance between both of you. Ask lightly for the back up with your hands and seat, then the moment you get a response, release the bit pressure, sit back, and swing with their natural backward movement, always "dance" backwards in your own mind and connection with the horse. This will teach them to associate backing up with a recreation outlet that is actually fun for both of you. Rain does much better on mounting now... especially good for me because he is soooo tall! I always have to find creative mounting blocks once on the trail and I need him to be still until I am safe in the seat. These tools may also help with the rushing. On the brakes, lol... very important. My boyfriend's QH had no brakes in the beginning and we had one scary event when his daughter once tried to ride him. After that, both QH and boyfriend went to a 2 day natural horsemanship clinic. Basically, after the first day of groundwork and teaching trust, respect and communication on day one, rider and horse moved to saddle on day 2. Practice was done over and over again, moving out, sitting back, halting, but only using one hand to halt on the side of your choice, not two hands, then circling if you needed... back to moving out, sitting back, halting... one hand... circle in that direction. Over and over again. Also, get the horse to flex on both sides with ground training until you feel no stiffness in his neck. With the bit in his mouth (I used the IMUS training bit, but now use the IMUS Comfort bit on Rain, if you are getting too much resistence, maybe go with the snaffle position or training bit), and stand behind your horse's shoulder facing forward. Take the rein on your side (I use long, leather split reins), and run your hand down the rein, slightly pulling his head around, always letting go as you slide down the rein. Do this again and again. He will begin to bend his head and neck back to you. Reward by letting up more. This will teach the horse to flex better in the saddle when you use the one hand stop or circles. If you are not opposed to treats out of your hand, you can further teach a stiff horse to bend at the neck for a treat reward, sometimes this gets them over the stiffness more. I do this with River, my 3yr QH, as it was how his trainer taught him. He will stand still, I will stand at his hind leg, he will bend his neck all the way back to his hind leg to reach his treat. He has to reach far for it without moving a leg or hip. He was trained in reigning, and does well. Great halt. The flexing has been most helpful with my boyfriend's QH... the horse will sometimes in an open field want to bolt, and with the one hand stop, circling, and flexing will keep a bolt out of the picture and the horse will settle down. We did take his QH to the cow pasture to teach him when it was okay to take off, and let him chase bulls that was much fun to watch him turn into a natural cowy horse, and I think the fields in the past must have triggered excitement to him, but without no cattle to run. With the cattle, he finally understood to associate this kind of freedom with a job. So find an avenue to let your TWH canter, but make work out of it, like an uphill climb. I only let Rain canter when he can work his mind and body out at the same time.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22nd, 2010 06:36 pm |
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24th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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whattarack wrote: TI find if I teach a horse to one-rein stop in this manner, I VERY seldom need to use one. I agree! After all those workouts, you seldom need to use it! But I guess that is the point, lol. Don't wait until afterwards to practice it  .
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24th, 2010 02:40 pm |
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25th Post |
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tmdeck G.O.G Community Member 
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i would put him in a snaffle and just work on flexing him from side to side to get ride of his stiffness. in my opinion, every horse should respond to a snaffle bit. then you will have no problems in your usual bit. as for walking off when you get on, once he starts to "give" to the bit laterally, bring his head around to you when you go to get on and that will make it more difficult for him to walk off. oh yeah, definately get some longer reins. Last edited on Fri Dec 24th, 2010 02:42 pm by tmdeck ____________________ tammy |
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24th, 2010 07:48 pm |
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26th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks....I've been doing alot of ground work with him....literally starting over from square one. Right down to the lead rope and free lunging...making him stop. He responds well to being backed up (no chain), it really seems to get his attention. If he doesn't stop....we back. I've been having him bend (for treats) on the ground too. Yesterday I went out and worked with him on standing while mounting. We started with the lead...and then free lunging. Then I saddled him up (no bridle) and we went into the arena. I put my foot in the stirrup expecting him to take a step...since he usually does. But he didn't. I rewarded him. I did it again this time putting a little weight into the stirrup...again he stood....I rewarded him. He stood all the way until I was standing in the stirrup... I didn't mount him, but I rewarded him then unsaddled him and we ended on a good note. When the weather gets a little warmer again I will do it all again....but this time I'll put a bridle on along with the saddle...see if that makes a difference. Once we get some of these walking off and stopping issues resolved I'll try bitting him differently. I still need to install the brakes first. I've tried many different bits he fiddles with all of them. I've ridden him bitless and he seems to be more relaxed that way, but I have little to no control. Ps. The reins have already been replaced with longer ones. Barbi
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| Posted: Mon Jan 3rd, 2011 12:48 pm |
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27th Post |
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vhersey G.O.G Community Member 
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Caveson worked wonders with my mare. She constantly fidgeted with the bit and the noseband totally solved that problem - good luck!! Your horse is beautiful.
____________________ Like water, be gentle and strong. Gentle enough to follow the natural paths of the earth and strong enough to rise up and reshape the world. |
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| Posted: Mon Jan 3rd, 2011 03:12 pm |
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28th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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Thank You....we've really been doing alot of ground work lately. I've taken him right back to basics which was suggested on this board. We have made HUGE progress with just things like standing while mounting and flexion exercises...on the ground. He still fiddles with the bit to begin with, but I've been working on MY riding techniques using one rein at a time and not giving him any resistance, and also using my seat and keeping my hands low while asking for a whoa...you'd be amazed at the difference. He still resists while he's gaiting, but we'll get there .... on step at a time!!!! I'm hoping that once we get the basics mastered I'll be able to ride him bitless. Unfortunately it's cold where I live and I can't get out there to work him every day but we've started the basics and have the rest of winter and spring to perfect it!
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| Posted: Mon Jan 3rd, 2011 05:54 pm |
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29th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member 
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Sounds like things are going well for you! As far as bitless goes, Brenda has stated that you really will have better collection & a better gait (& I think a happier horse too) if you utilize a well designed curb bit. I myself have found this to be true as well. If I want to ride in cold weather though and my horse is well trained to give to pressure, I will sometimes ride in a bosal hackamore when I don't plan on gaiting because I just don't think it's fair to stick that cold bit in their mouths.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 3rd, 2011 09:21 pm |
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30th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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I haven't worked with him much bitless. I did try a mechanical hack and he gaited fine in it, and he stopped good. But his head is soooo big that it just didn't fit him well . I felt like it was hurting him. His mouth was happy, but I'm sure his nose wouldn't be for long. When I tried a "friendlier" bitless bridle I didn't have much control. But I summized I didn't have much control in a bit either...LOL  ....that's why we went back to basics. At least I have a controlled environment where we can work things out.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 3rd, 2011 09:22 pm |
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31st Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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I found some cavesons today that were quite reasonably priced. I would definately consider trying it. Jake also suggested a caveson.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 4th, 2011 12:06 am |
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32nd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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That is good news on your progress! It has been so cold and windy here in NC, I have only been doing groundwork with my horses since Thanksgiving. Yesterday my sister came to ride with me, and I saddled up Rain, my big motored TWH. My boyfriend was worried he would be a handful, but Rain went right into his program of listening to me. I really enjoyed riding him again. The IMUS Comfort Bit was a natural in his mouth and he handled great. My sister wanted to ride Rain because the beginner horse I had her on was too dull of a ride for her. She rode QHs growing up, so I let her ride Rain, but walked by foot beside her on the road while she rode Rain to show her the cues he understood. Then I said, you ready? Told her to gait him out, but if she started to bounce once, to collect him better. Keep him moving smooth. He did wonderful with a first time gaited rider. My sister fell in love with the gaited horse. The groundwork with Rain has really added up. Another story... I am now helping my sister find a TWH gelding!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 4th, 2011 02:01 am |
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33rd Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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Noellee that is awesome! It is one of the most amazing feelings in the world when they are gaiting properly...it's indescribable! My Onyx has a big gait too, my 11 year old was riding him one day (in the round pen) and she told me .... "mom, I don't think I'll ever ride another quarter horse again!" Even my husband who is new to all of this horse stuff is amazed by his big gait. I was watching a video of a Percheron mix horse on you tube one day and my husband walked up behind me and said..."that's not a walker" and I laughed as I said "how do you know?" and he piped out with...."it doesn't move right"....LOL l1 So good luck to your sister and it sounds like she will have plenty of great knowledge and support from you!!! My brother lives in NC and I think at one point you had more snow there than we did in MI! I'm enjoying the ground work too... I've only owned Onyx for 4 months so it is a really good way for us to build our relationship stronger. He's come a long way in a short period of time. Even the owner of the barn where we board has commented on his progress. I can't wait to see how he'll be by summer!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 4th, 2011 02:23 am |
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34th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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sisbarbo wrote: It is one of the most amazing feelings in the world when they are gaiting properly...it's indescribable! It was cool to see her reaction when she finally got out of saddle with Rain. She was so excited. When I walked beside her on the road giving cues, Rain was doing a nice flat walk (I was looking down at his hooves, watching the fall of his gait, but having to walk fast beside them!). My sister was saying, oh, this is nice, he is moving so smooth... then when I turned her loose, Rain picked up his speed, to a running walk. She was blown away afterwards, said, I never came out of saddle! She did not know how to describe it, other than she was so excited, lol. It has been 15yrs since she got on horse. We did get lots of snow for NC. I see much improvement in Rain since I got him in November. Really proud of him. Now that I have my own TWH to work with, it makes me realize how wonderful of a horse breed they are.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 4th, 2011 03:16 am |
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35th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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I couldn't agree more! Is that Rain in your Avatar pic?
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| Posted: Tue Jan 4th, 2011 03:41 am |
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36th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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That is Bo, my 10yr dun QH in the avatar. Waiting for the snow and mud to clear up to get more beauty pics with Rain. Here is a shot taken from my cell phone right before we got snowed... Rain is waiting his turn for his groundwork session, lol. He is solid black, white star on forehead, 16hhs. All three of my horses, two QHs and Rain, love the workouts, whether we ride or do just interact with ground manners. Attachment: IMG00944-20101221-1649.jpg (Downloaded 11 times) Last edited on Tue Jan 4th, 2011 03:42 am by NOELLEE |
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