I Need A Fucking Trainer!

But, I Swear, Tomorrow I'm Gunna Show Her Who's Boss!

from JoeUser Forums
I need a fucking trainer! My horse sucks, and I'm a big baby. I know I shouldn't be, but when she practically rears up on top of you and kicks out and just barely misses, it's hard not to be. I think I need a fucking trainer! I need to go to boot camp; I need someone to toughen me up.

My brother can lunge her, and he's only 12. He's so good at it too! For those of you who don't know what lunging is, it's a way of exercising your horse. Basically you stand in the middle as your horse jogs or lops around you, as you hold the lead line in one hand and whip in the other to drive the horse from behind. Like I said, I'm scared of her and my brother isn't. He doesn't have good sense really, but in this case it's a good thing I think that he's fearless.

The horse can sense it. She knows I'm a softy, and she knows my brother doesn't love her, he's just gunna make her do it. I hate feeling inferior like this. She's my horse and I swear, tomorrow, I'm going to wake up and not care; not care if I get hurt lunging her, not care if she rears up and almost kills me. I'm going to show her who's fucking boss!

So, as you can tell, I'm a little pissed off... but it'll get better, hopefully. Hopefully I'll learn, as we go, and hopefully she'll learn, as we go. Tomorrow, when I wake up, I'm going to be fearless, 'cuz that's my resolve.

☼Sarah
13,231 views 10 replies
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Really long, but I have more control over her when I don't give a whole lot of lead. Any advice?

Sarah
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
the first thing I would do if I were you, is get my hands on a horse training book. They actually do a pretty good job of outlining what you're supposed to do. I was able to 'start' horses all on my own after reading "The Man Who Listens to Horses" by: Monty Roberts. He has an appendix in the back of the book that outlines what to do. I'm not saying that would work for everyone, but it worked for me.

if you're afraid, you're right, the horse will know it. You have to be able to discipline your horse if it gets out of line, but the trick is to not over do it, and of course you have to figure out what's making your horse behave that way to begin with. If he/she is responding to some 'stimulus', then it's easier to remove that stimulus than it is to whack the horse for not behaving...

anyhoo, if you're worried about getting hurt lunging your horse, then I'm worried that you're doing something wrong. Are you putting the bridle on and running the lunge line thru it, or just going with the halter?

ah well, i could go on and on, as i'm sure you could too... let me know how things are going. Give some serious thought to getting a book on this shtuff... good luck to ya
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
hahhaha, this was so funny. I try to decide whose article the article is before I click on it and what it's about. I actually never clicked on this one because I thought it was Tangles Wishes (Anne) and I thought she was talking about needing exercise again. When I came to your blog and read it, I just got tickled.

Trinitie
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
imajinit- Thanks so much, it's nice to know someone here knows what they're doing with this horse stuff. I must say I did better today; I said to myself "if she kicks me and kills me, so be it, she's going to lunge!" So, that was my attitude and I think she had a bit of a new respect for me. I wasn't afraid to get right up to her and smack her hard on the rump. She did better today; she'd trot around me about three times before I had to go at her again. She just STUBBORN, that's what her problem is. She knows what I want her to do.. and she just doesn't want to.

I've just been using a halter; do you think it would work better to throw her bridle on?

My neighbor, a big horse gal who actually trained the horse when she was a filly, said that mares can tell who's female and who's male, and she basically wants to be top mare over me... if that makes sense.

I'll check out that book you're talkin' about, thanks again!

Sarah
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't really know the horse's temperament or behavior patterns, so it's hard to say if the bridle would be a good step to take right now. I would think that it would, just based on what you've said so far. But again, it's very important to either get the books, or get someone who's experienced with this stuff to show you what to do.

Lots of people like to blame their animals when they misbehave (especially horses), when the truth of the matter is that all the horse is doing is reacting to things that we're doing. Which means that if we change our behavior, they'll change theirs.

Your mare may very well be trying to be 'top mare' in a sense. If that's the case, then it's very important to let her know that you're not going to put up with her crap.

How long is the whip that you're using?
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Here's another great tip for ya... in the April 2004 Horse & Rider, on page 49, there's an article on longeing (i knew we were spelling it wrong... hehehe) if you've got an extra couple bucks, this mag might be worth buying...

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Alright, I'll stop at Fleet Farm and pick it up... maybe I am doing something wrong. Yesterday I used a 5 ft whip. I actually had my neighbor (who has been training horses for years) come over last fall and help me a few times.

My girl's still a filly (well, she's 6, but a filly at heart) so hopefully she'll start liking me pretty soon. I've had her for 6 months, and I've heard that's about the time it takes to build a relationship, but I still don't think she likes me much. *sigh*

I appreciate your help

Sarah
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've had my horse for two years and she still hates me...
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey, I got the magazine and read that article... it looks fairly helpful... I don't know if I really want to "desensitize" her to the whip though...maybe I'll try it. Do you see the picture of the guy in there? He reminds me of how I picture you, except I'd bet you're better looking than him. lol ;)

Sarah