Horse Training Success

This arrived in my inbox over the weekend in reference to the previous post. It is really heartening to hear the problem got solved. I must admit, it sounded as though the buyer had been swindled, so it is awesome to hear that the seller was honest after all. That's one lucky, lucky buyer! And as I was trying to say, the first port of call when a horse has a sudden change of behavior is to look at EVERY aspect of his environment with a fine tooth comb. What may be a trivial change for us could have a huge impact for the horse, and it may be difficult for us to see. This has turned out to be a fine example of just that:


"We found out the problem! He has always been ridden in a Balance saddle and obviously the saddle I put on him, although seeming to fit, must have been pinching him and that is why he was trying to get away from the pain.

For the past few days, we have had him in the school doing join up and he is unbelievable; he practically did a dressage test in walk beside me and only in a headcollar. He respected my space, never attempted to barge forward like he did before. Rather than blame this horse, I spoke to the previous owner and we went over everything about him. The saddle was obviously the main problem.

We have now booked an appointment with Balance to measure him for his own saddle and continue working him from the ground to establish trust and respect; despite the wrist injury, I cannot blame him for what happened. We humans expect so much from horses and the only way they can say 'ouch' that hurts, is to do something out of character. He is a lovely, well mannered horse in all other respects and deserves the chance to show what he can really do under saddle rather than put up with me, an owner who thought that my old saddle would do for him!!"


Congratulations to this owner, not just for solving the problem, but for stepping back, not blaming the horse immediately, and in pausing and looking, finding the solution. You deserve a huge pat on the back.



Photo by jimmedia