Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy Banks
Hi
I have a five year old Welsh Section D called Ruben. I have been riding him for the last three years, we have our moments with him running off sometimes when he is spooked but I've got used to dealing with this and can stop him.
Recently though he has found a new trick. He just stops in the lane and won't go on. I kick him on, use voice commands and use the stick but he just ignores everything, then will just start walking again when he feels like it.
What should I do? My friend says I should just sit there and ignore him and wait for him to move but is this giving him the wrong message that he is in control and not me?
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Random question, but Ruben isn't Palamino by any chance is he?? Only I used to ride for a friend of mine (Jody) and we had a very sweet little horse called Ruben that sounds very similar! He had an amazing pop on him loose in the school.
When he stops, is there anything around that could be causing him to do so, such as cows in a field, or anything spooky? If not and there is no real reason for him to be geuninelly worried, I'd imagine that he's just being a bit cheeky, and you want to get this in check now while he's still young enough, otherwise you'll allow him to become nappy in more situations. If it is the Ruben that I worked with, he'd respond very well to voice aids, start with a pat on the neck, firm leg aids, and a 'good boy, walk on', if this more softly approach doesn't work you'll need to be a bit more firm with him, and insist that we walks on when you want him to!
Sounds like he's perhaps lacking some confidence on his own, but this will come in time, he's still young.
Good luck!!
