Quote:
Originally Posted by wookie
tried to ride him and he wouldn't listen, she had been riding him. He actually scared me, he tried to buck me off.
I understand this part completely. I was taking riding lessons and was practically working the horses for this lady every day. In Exchange for helping around the barn all the time i would get to 'lease' a horse. Basically, the horse was mine as long as i did chores around the barn which i happily agreed to. She even said she wouldn't let anyone else ride the horse i chose. I picked a hot headed stubborn 10 year old mare to work with. I was in my 'Monty Roberts' phase and was convinced i could turn this horse into a calm loving creature. I lunged her, worked with her almost everyday, did all the right things and really connected with her.
One day i came in ready to continue training her (i was going to start training her in western pleasure that day) when my instructor conveniently told me as i was getting on her back that she had let some other girl ride her the other day. For the next two weeks, Autumn (that was the horse's name) would not budge when i tried to ride her. she would bite at my legs, and she tried to buck me off as well. i tried everything i could to get her to trust me again but she wouldn't. i don't think i had enough time to work with her though. I ended up having to leave after those two weeks because we found out that several of the horses were being neglected. Two of them had died in a week of undernourishment and their fillies had no one to feed them now. I couldn't stand the barn anymore and i left. i reported them to animal services, but somehow they are still open.
i just wanted to say that i relate to you in a small way. I would suggest watching or reading Monty Roberts' stuff. He's excellent in those areas. It's how i got Autumn to chill out the first time and if i had had time to work with her more, im sure i would have gotten her back to the sweet horse i wanted. Hang in there, have patience, be confident, and love him no matter what.
Good luck and keep me posted!