Training a young mare I - Balanced Rider Blog

This summer I had a 4-year-old Lippizaner mare in training for 3 months. She was just started by her owner who was concerned about how to continue the work properly and wanted a good dressage foundation for her horse. When I came to see the horse I was drawn by the noble beauty of her head and eyes, very typical for the breed. However, mare's behavior did not reflect the first impression about her. She was very restless, pushy, constantly invading her owner's space, etc. I got a feeling that mare simply didn't not see the handler as something to take into account, not to mention respect or listen. Riding looked similar. When I tried myself she was the same - spooking, stopping and going when she wanted, didn't really turn either way. However, the owner told me she didn't ride her for a month and she simply brought her to the ring mounted and rode. Considering mare's head, the reputation of the breed and owner's comments about her I decided that I will take her in training.

Our first working sessions were simple and short - staying calmly for grooming, leading from both sides, stopping, turning. Mare was surprised when she couldn't simply move into me, pass me, stop without my permission. She didn't argue much. If she could talk it felt like she would say - "Oh, well, whatever you say." She constantly was looking around and not paying much attention to me. A few times I really had to put pressure on her to stop her advancing into my space.
I have to point out that I paid close attention to the mare from the moment I opened the gate into paddock - to the way she was accepting me, walking with me, standing for grooming, picking up feet, etc. When handling restless, pushy horses it is important to be very focused, balanced, confident and calm on inside. Very often these horses are like that because they are scared, confused and feel very insecure. They need to know their place. If you offer them love but allow them to push you around this will not help the situation. While working with the mare I kept very good balance so she could not knock me off it and make me step back or sway. Every time she tried to "lean" into me or my space with her head, shoulder, hindquarters I was ready to stop her and set her straight. This is something I want to bring to my reader's attention. Many riders let their horses knock them off balance. It does not mean a person falls down, it means a handler has to make a step back or sway backwards in order to remain standing. This is enough. After that pushing the horse back, chastising him or yelling at him is too late. It does not teach him anything. He already knows he is the one who is pushing around and not the human. Do not tolerate even smallest invasion in your space unless you invited and be prepared to stop the invasion. I'm not suggesting of punishing the horse, just constantly correcting the horse's position before their advance make you change yours.
Your way of presenting yourself to such horse must be calm confident gestures, good posture, assurance must emanate from you like a radiance. Do not fuss and move too much around such horses. On the contrary, it is very helpful to stop and stay absolutely still for a few moments, especially, after you made the horse stop invading your space. When the horse has done well gentle stroke or a short praise said with calm soothing voice is much better than too many pats, smooches or too much talking. When the handling is confident, firm and VERY CONSISTENT such horses start turning around very quickly. It will become like a snow ball, the better they are the more you praise and reassure them. This in turn makes them more confident and willing to listen to you. Just remember, horses constantly reevaluate their pecking order. They do it very discreetly, most of the time people do not even notice that. They do the same to humans. Do not ignore small signs such as leaning into you, bumping into you, stepping into your space while you are grooming, etc. It starts very small and if corrected right away do not progress anywhere. If you let it slip and allow your horse to realize you are not paying attention to the pecking order when you finally see it it will be too late, the correction usually has to be strong and involve emotions from both sides.