I have a 3 year old Dales filly who has been very difficult from the time I bought her as a yearling. She has a strong tendency to rear and everything she didn't like would be met with this response. The reason I got her? She has lovely paces
!
She hated being restricted, confined, restrained in any way and would resist pressure usually by rearing. For example, being tied up on the yard would be met with unceasing pawing of the ground and eventual rearing. Being put in a stable would result in much pawing, scraping and banging of the door. She lunged okay and I bitted her, but as soon as I put on side reins (very loose) she reared up and flipped over backwards.
I despaired of ever being able to bring her on without injury (to me!) and thought she would make a good brood mare as she is quite maternal. So, she went off to a stallion earlier this year BUT typically for her, did not approve of my choice of man! She double barrelled the poor stallion every time he attempted to mount. Although she was served having to be twitched (another story <_< ) she didn't take and I didn't want to carry it on at risk to the stallion.
Darn, I had no option but to start schooling her again! Well, she must have decided that schooling is a sight better option than going to the stallion, and has let me do loads of things without question. Lunging, no problem - with side reins attached to the bit - no problem! I thought I would tackle long lining - first on the headcollar (I didn't have a cavesson to fit) - off she went like a pro. I then attached the lines to the headcollar and bit - again no probs! Finally to the bit only and was gobsmacked when she let me longline her via the bit!!
She does need to have every little step done at her own pace with no pressure but it is such a breakthrough for me
Here she is with some lunging lessons, as you can see she is not entirely fussed!
