Difficult mare

[SparrowHawk]

I have a very sweet Mare that I plan on riding. Go figure......:cowboy:

At any rate, I've had three people on her since I've gotten her and all were this year.

The first one didn't fare well as the horse was not co-operative at all.
The second, I was there to see and my horse just jumped staight up on all fours when the rider kicked her to get her to move.

The third was lead lined while riding and we've found out that she hasn't a clue as to what anything means.

When we purchased this horse in Nov 2007 from down Alabama way, the owners stated that she was a little reluctant, but that they had ridden her on trails. We suspect that she was led on trails rather than ridden solo.

I know we have to start over with her because she's obviously only green broke.

A little about the Mare.

She's 6 yrs old and when we got her she was with foal so we weren't able to do anything with her. After she foaled, she was bred back so we hadn't done anything until we found out that it didn't take and decided not to re-breed her.

Also, shes what I would refer to as a Alpha-alpha mare. She runs the place if she's out with the rest of the horses, geldings included.

If she's penned up and one of the other horses acts up with me or my daughter she gets upset and wants to get out to protect us.

Any real tips for the process? My daughter thinks she should be sent out to one of the Amish trainers in the area, but I've heard that they can be real rough and I don't want my mare beaten down or anything like that.

All ideas are welcome.

No I won;t sell the horse;)

http://www.sparrowhawkfarms.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/hawkspenny.jpg.w300h443.jpg

[WashingtonBay]

Is that her, the paint? She is a looker!

The Amish are as different as people are, some are very talented, some less so. The one thing that is the same with them, is, they really use the horses they train. Horses they train have a lot of real life experience and miles behind them when they are done. But there are probably other trainer options in your area too... I would interview a few of them... Including the Amish... See which you feel the best about, and ideally, which would also work with you and the horse together so you know it's going to work.

[Vegashorselady]

My paint gelding was like this when I got him. He was 8 years old and didn't understand leg and rein cues. The people told me they trail rode him and that he was a "kick and go" horse.:rolleyes: My guess is he just followed the other horses along and they yanked on his mouth and spurred the crap out of him when he didn't do what they wanted.

After he started seriously acting up under saddle I decided to take him back to the beginning with ground work. I treated him like a newly weaned foal and went through the most basic stuff for weeks. When I did ride him again I treated him like a colt on his first ride and built up from there. I have to tell yah, it made all the difference in the world.

I'm not sure what his issues were before coming to me. I'm not sure if he was never started right or if he was just mistreated and had to learn to trust me or what but I would highly suggest trying this with your mare. Even if you do send her to a trainer, all the ground work will really help prepare her for it.

[IrisGreen]

Welcome to the forum, Tony.:welcome:

Is this mare a half draft? Just wondering because her legs and feet look thick in that picture, kinda like my Muffin.

Anyways, I hope you find a trainer you can trust. I would investigate around and ask people for recommendations on trainers in your area, then go watch the trainer work with other horses before making a decision.

Keep us posted on how she comes along :)

[SparrowHawk]

take him back to the beginning with ground work........

I would highly suggest trying this with your mare. Even if you do send her to a trainer, all the ground work will really help prepare her for it.

Thanks that's what I was thinking.



Welcome to the forum, Tony.:welcome:

Is this mare a half draft? Just wondering because her legs and feet look thick in that picture, kinda like my Muffin.

Anyways, I hope you find a trainer you can trust. I would investigate around and ask people for recommendations on trainers in your area, then go watch the trainer work with other horses before making a decision.

Keep us posted on how she comes along :)


Thanks for the welcome! The horse is 3/4 draft. 2 parts belgian, 1 part clydesdale and 1 part paint. She's 16.2 H.

I'll be looking around locally to see who I can get to train and will go and watch them train before making any committments. This horse is already like family and I'm extremely fussy about who would train her.

[Tatesgram]

When we purchased this horse in Nov 2007 from down Alabama way, the owners stated that she was a little reluctant, but that they had ridden her on trails. We suspect that she was led on trails rather than ridden solo.



:banghead: Not Alabama!!!! Just proves bad people can be from anywhere!!!!!

Sorry your girl isn't what she was supposed to be, unfortunately, it's happened to a lot of us. I always want to see the current owners ride a horse before I will get on. I understand your situation with her carrying a foal. Vagashorselady has given you some good advise, as have others.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!!

[FatSpottedAppy]

In a few days we are actually sending my mom's mare, Blessing, to the Amish. We have heard nothing but good about them(from people who have had horses broke from them, most only complained that their horse did not stand still for mounting) and my Mom has seen the way they treat their horses when they start acting up-- there is no hitting. We've known these particular Amish people for a while and found them to be good people. That's not to say the Amish in your area will be good, but I would not count them out for the stereotype. Definitely take a look. :)

I hope you find a good trainer for your horse.. She sure is a beauty.

[SparrowHawk]

We have lots of Amish in the area and I will ask around for reccomendations for a trainer. In the meantime our plan will be to take her back to the beginning with ground work and see if she comes along. Once she has a clue, then we'll either have her trained or try her again ourselves.

[lisakaye]

I am sorry that you are having trouble with your mare. I think that you may not be too far from me. I have a wonderful trainer/ BO where I am and he is decent in price if you would like his information pm me or you can look up his website also. http://www.lightningridgeperformancehorses.com/Home.html He is very good. I wish you luck. She may just need an attitude adjustment.

[SparrowHawk]

I am sorry that you are having trouble with your mare. I think that you may not be too far from me. I have a wonderful trainer/ BO where I am and he is decent in price if you would like his information pm me or you can look up his website also. http://www.lightningridgeperformancehorses.com/Home.html He is very good. I wish you luck. She may just need an attitude adjustment.

Ossining is about 2.5 hrs away from me and the trainer is 2 hrs away. I will keep thi in the back of my mind, but would like to have someone a bit closer so that I may visit and see some of the training. (just enough so that I won't be considered a pest)

[TheBadLands]

Shes a pretty girl!

I have a bumper sticker that says "I'm having a bad MARE day"...owning 5 of them.. I feel your pain lol

[SparrowHawk]

I like that bumbersticker saying.... Where did ya get that?

[Miracle Whip]

I would recommend an Amish trainer and while you are at it, check out IrisGreens training thread. She recently sent a draft to the trainers. I really worry about folks that baby their horses. They need to respect you on the ground before ANYONE trains them. In regards to IrisGreen's thread, I think you should read about what can happen, worst case scenario, with getting a draft trained. The Amish deal with drafts every day...and make them work. Go with them.

[lisakaye]

Ossining is about 2.5 hrs away from me and the trainer is 2 hrs away. I will keep thi in the back of my mind, but would like to have someone a bit closer so that I may visit and see some of the training. (just enough so that I won't be considered a pest)

Jimmy actually does a lot of driving and lessons up north more. He rides in Greenville (?) JP's North is the place where he does the NBHA and lessons and shoeing also so that may be closer to you. I am not sure though. Good luck... Let me know if I can help in any way. other than training of course. :cheers:

[SparrowHawk]

Jimmy actually does a lot of driving and lessons up north more. He rides in Greenville (?) JP's North is the place where he does the NBHA and lessons and shoeing also so that may be closer to you. I am not sure though. Good luck... Let me know if I can help in any way. other than training of course. :cheers:

JP North is about 45 minutes from here and is where we go for tack etc....

I'll look into it. :cowboy: