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Ex-reiner won't bend its neck
Franklin,
I couldn't find this question already answered.
I purchased a horse that has evidently had some reining training as she will lower rearend when lean forward in the stop and will turn on her haunches.
I don't know if this problem I have comes from her being beat and man-handled (was told she was cross tied in stall and beat to the ground) so not trusting (she bucked with 2 other people - not me) when first got her) or if this comes from reining or team penning training.
When I go to turn she doesn't want to turn her head with the turn, she turns pretty much with a straight body . I need to work with her either flexing her head and trusting or perhaps undo some type training she has. I know she can turn her head because I was saddling her up with a carrot and she turned her head well - so it isn't any kind of pain that keeps her from doing it.
She was used for team penning and had team penning training for 90 days - I don't know if this is what her problem is. Any help would be appreciated.
Karin
Hi Karin,
Begin to flex the horse's neck side to side, on the ground. Get her very good at bending with the slightest pull on the cheek piece of the halter or the pressure of your hand or leadrope, etc. Take a lot of time with this. Do the same thing while standing still and mounted. Once she is very good at that, ask for hind quarter yields from the saddle in both directions. After getting good at that ask for forward movement at the walk in a arc. Do this going backwards as well (back the horse in a circle). Get very good at one step before going to the next. Gradually begin to ask for more speed going forward. Once good at flexing the neck the horse should be able to flex its neck in either direction when asked to, while walking, trotting or cantering straight ahead as well.
Reining horses turn and spin on the haunches (hind feet). This is their training. They are supposed to turn with their bodies straight. If you are patient with your horse you should be able to train her to turn as you want (either in an arc or spin on the haunches). Many people would love to have a horse that spins. Always start very slowly (from a standstill) and build speed. The horse will more easily learn what you want if you go slow and be very patient. Reward the horse instantly when she tries to do what you want with a release of pressure.
Sincerely, Franklin