>>>>>>I had another vet come out and she said she couldnt find anything wrong with him.
Ashley, that is GREAT news because now you don't have to worry about health issues and can work on establishing your relationship with Luke.
>>>>>>>>Ashley wrote:
I try and have a pleasant, lets-go-to-work attitude but he doesnt really seem to care much about it. I have been working him twice a day now and it seems to be helping but still some issues to clear up and make "pretty".
Ashley, I think you've hit upon a great way to approach this by working short periods (I'm thinking 15-20 mins) twice a day. That way you can do something that he does easily and well and talk to him, praise him with "good boy or atta boy or good man!" so he knows he is pleasing you.
You might try a "let's play" attitude and see how that works for the two of you. The goal is for both of you to have fun and enjoy each other while he learns, right? I've noticed that on the rare occasions my riding instructor tells me to dismount so she can ride Bob, she PLAYS with him! She looks for what he can do and do well 'cause every horse is different just as every horse-rider combo is different. She occasionally chuckles as she rides, she enjoys him just because he's Bob, a unique creature. (She does this with every horse she rides, too!).
While you ride you can give him a light scratch on the withers as you tell him how good he is being (when he is). Be sure to finish on something really easy that he does well and loosen the girth a notch before walking away and give him more scratches and "good boys!" t the end of a ride. Make much of him and his honest efforts for you. Let him know with your voice that your intention is to be his friend. (I bet he'll reciprocate!)
If I recall correctly, he was very good for his previous rider... we know that, over time, horses will adjust to a person's way of riding. Could it be that he adjusted to his previous riders way of riding and aiding? I have no doubt you are a good rider as was his previous rider; I'm saying the two of you may be somewhat different so could it be that he is trying to tell you with his behavior that..."hey, I know how this is done and you're not doing it right like the way I learned it!" It's sort of like if our whole world suddenly changed and we said, 'hey, this reality is not the reality I know!'
Sight unseen, my best guess is that if you take the time to be patient with him (don't expect him to pick up where he left off with his previous rider), then you'll see a change in his behavior. Have you heard the saying, "make haste, slowly"? Sometimes the slowest route can actually turn out to be the fastest. By giving him time now and making sure he can trust your good intentions toward him, when he does come around you might make progress very quickly.
Wishing you all the best with him! Please keep us posted with any tiny progress you make. I'm eager for you to succeed... :o)
Judy in NE TN
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