Bringing Him Back Into Training

[1 morejump]

I am just now bringing Lance back into work after a year off and he is totaly different!

We didn't have an arena when we first moved to our new house and our land is on a hill so there is no flat spot to ride.  He is awful on trails and really needs the structure of an arena.  I finally got a spot all ready and brought him back into work today.  Where did my horse go!!!!!!!  
All we did was walking but his strides were short and choppy and slow!  Not like him at all.  This was the first time he was in the Pelham and I think that for bringing him back I am going to switch back to the french bit tommrow.  

Every now and then he would stop and when I asked him to go foreward he would start to back up  :blink:   The more I asked the more he backed up, it was wierd.  When he got really bad I had to get off and start all over, twice!  He doesn't have any saddle problems, there were no sore spots when I untacked.  Frankly I am stumped.  I think that he is being stubborn after his vacation and riding will bring him around.  Any ideas? Thoughts? Suggestion?  I really need help here!    

[Dark Cloud]

You know, I'd leave the riding and do lots of ground work until you've clicked again. Hooves, back, teeth, bridle fit, sadle fit (was it fitted in work or as he is now?), may be obstinancy but Id sort it all out on the ground first Oh edit to add, as we mature we can go thru personality and confidence surges. Is he a late teenager, early adult??  

[1 morejump]

He is a late teenager.  He is fine on the ground, but when I got back on him it was a disaster!  I am going out to try again, nothing will happen if I just sit here.    

[shoveltrash]

hmmm.....
change bits just to see if it helps.

i'd say, set small goals - & reward when you get response!
for example, halt to walk:
sit back, squeeze lightly - if no reponse, tap with whip behind leg.  just as SOON as he takes a few steps forward, REWARD.
some folks like clicker training for this, my own horse responds well to praise/pat.
make darn sure to keep your session very short.  in fact the first few times he is *good*, get off & praise highly, & end the session .  you want your horse to WANT to be good :blush: .

i know it sounds very boring, very time consuming, to only do tiny tiny bits each day.  but i believe that it pays off in the long run.  
 

[shoveltrash]

i wanted to add:
Be sure you are not sitting forward as that can "block" the forward movement. Also be sure your fingers "give" a bit on he reins - don't move your arms forward but do open your fingers up a bit to provide the give on the reins.

i had an old trail horse that used to back up for China, when asked to go forward (with a leg squeeze)......IF the rider was leaning forward at all, the tiniest bit.  you really had to sit back :lol:
 

[sandpiper]

If this was the first time he's used a pelham he may have been backing off the curb chain - how did you introduce him to it?  I've known horses do this either because the curb is too tight or they were not used to the feeling.  If he is more forward going in his old bit, then that may be your answer.

My horse used to let me know in no uncertain terms if he didn't like a bit!  He was well used to doubles and pelhams but once I tried him in a kimblewick, got a few yard down the road and had to turn round and come back - he just wouldn't go forwards!  Never did find out why ..  :blink:  

[1 morejump]

We had our second ride yesterday and it went a lot smoother.  On our first ride I though he had ill fitting tack, once that was eliminated I realized he had forgotten that the leg means go foreward!   :blink:   When I squeezed he went back so I kept the pressure on until he tried something else, foreward.  After a few more of these he got it.  I am on my way back out and we are going to have another go at it.  

[shoveltrash]

good for you!  he might've just needed a *refresher course* on
leg squeeze = forward
   

[1 morejump]

He is a lot better today.  We had a few little "disputes" but he is getting better all the time.  We aren't going to start trot until there are no "disputes" and he is going off my leg smartly and not running me into the fence!