My daughter’s confidence is low
Today’s horse training question comes from Kelly. She writes: “My daughter is 9 yrs. old with very little confidence when dealing with horse problems. Her horse has lately been “going after” other horses while riding. He swings around and puts his ears back. This terrifies my daughter to the point of hyperventilation. She cries and begs to get off. He’s a big bully but she loves him dearly. How can I help increase her confidence so that she understands SHE has to be the one to correct him?”
Hi Kelly, First I would warn you that having such a young rider on a horse acting agressive is potentially dangerous for both her and the riders around her. I would consider getting on the horse yourself or having an older, confident rider get on him to tune him up a little and really get after him for this unacceptable behavior. Then, to build your daughter’s confidence, teach her exactly what she needs to do when he acts this way. Then have her practice doing it in situations where she is comfortable until she knows the exercise well. I would teach her to disengage his hindquarters, which will get him stopped and back under her control. Begin teaching this exercise from the ground with either a halter and lead rope or
your bridle. Stand to one side of her, and ask her to move her hips over by walking towards her, swinging your rope, etc. You are looking for her inside hind foot to step across in front of her outside hind foot. It is very important that the inside hind foot actually crosses in front of the outside hind. Her front feet should
stop all forward motion when she crosses over with her hind end. Byasking your horse to step under herself in this way, you are taking away her ability to brace against you. Once your horse will disingage the hindquarters on both sides on the ground, teach it from the saddle. Once you are on her back, take your rein on one side, walk her forward, and pick up on the rein, bending her head to the
side and asking her to step under with the inside hind foot. If she bends her neck but keeps walking a straight line, bump her with your inside leg until she steps over with her hindquarters. I would teach the horse this yourself, then when the horse knows it teach it to your daughter. Walk her calmly through what she will do if her horse goes after another horse. She will pick up on one rein (with both hands if needed), kick with her inside leg, and get her horse’s hindquarters to step over. She’ll pull his head away from the horse he is trying bite. If he’s trying to kick, then she’ll pull his head towards the other horse, getting his hind end away. If she has practiced and knows what she needs to do in a scary situation, it will build her confidence. Thank you for your question, and let me know how your daughter is doing.
