jvicars":p87lva7g said:
for now-
when i dismount the horse tends to want to walk. if i act like i am going to dismount is starts walking. its usually i dismount and she is a bit surprised. maybe just time. i am worried she will try to run off.
she does not stop immediately on whoa. i have to correct a few times. when i tell her to stop he does most of the time but i would like to make this perfect. she does not run but its not perfect.
i have a heck of time getting the bit in so i am using a hackamore.
i have to give her alot of kicks to get her going once and a while.
maybe its just cause she is new but i dont want to create bad habbits
A round pen is nice but not necessary in my book. Way back when, I never used a round pen and I broke and trained a lot of youngsters. It sure helps today though as I am not as limber as I used to be.
To your issues I would respond;
The walking at dismount is an easy fix but depending on the horse might take 5 minutes or 50 minutes, no more. Stop her, start to get off, if she moves jerk the left rein lightly but enough to get her attention and stop her. Continue until she stands for you to get off. Get on and off several more times until she "gets it". (no round pen needed)
Stopping is a learned (taught) skill. This too can usually be corrected from the saddle in 5-50 minutes. Sit down in the saddle, push both feet forward hard, say "whoa", and lastly pull her nose back till she stops. Repeat until she "gets it". My favorite way is use only one rein. If walking do all the above except pull on only the left rein. She may continue to walk in circles but just keep her nose turned back and in to your toe until she completely stops moving. Repeat until she "gets it". (no round pen needed)
The bit may take several days or working a few minutes a day. Get her to give her head to you (lower it). Reach over between her ears and grab the top of the bridle and EASE the bit up to her mouth. If she raises her head, stop, drop the bridle down, make her give you her head again and repeat till you get the bit to her mouth without her raising her head much if any. Grab the top of bridle and lift till the bit is just at the lips, stick your thumb in the side of her mouth behind the front teeth, as she opens, gently slide the bit in. If you meet with resistance back up as many steps as necessary as start again. (no round pen needed)
Not going can be a problem with some. SPURS! Be careful and apply lightly and then harder as required. I have also used a short rope to pop them on the butt. Use only as much pressure as required to make her move. Give her full reins, kiss at her, move your weight a little forward out of the seat, apply pressure only after these steps. (no round pen needed)
I would work no more than 1 hour on any one thing a day. When does good at it reward her with a short walk or some other movement.
Remember these words.
ASK, TELL, MAKE.
ASK her to go by moving you weight out of the seat and forward and release the reins and kiss.
TELL, do the ASK and then use leg pressure (heals) to urge her on still kissing.
MAKE, spur her or get on her butt with a rope and MAKE her go forward still kissing.