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Post by janis on Jun 2, 2013 20:08:14 GMT
Any ideas on getting a lazy highland to go forward and off the leg, fine in hand lungeing hacking, but when it comes to schooling or in a show he says NO and dont move !!!not naughty just so so stubborn !!any suggestions greatly received lol
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Post by gillwales on Jun 2, 2013 20:16:13 GMT
please dont mind me asking but are you an experienced rider? If not if you have a friend who is and a strong rider ask them to ride him and watch. Failing that a good schooling whip, Ask once, tell on the twice and insist on the third using the schooling whip to reinforce your leg aid and voice aid, do not kick, you are training him to respond to a squeeze, verbally praise when he responds.
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Post by caspa on Jun 2, 2013 20:35:43 GMT
It's very difficult with some highlands, one of mine does the " highland stance" basically saying make me!!
It's so frustrating, a friend once told me " you have to ask a highland" not tell it.. Persevere at it, and be strong.. I know exactly how you feel though!
Good luck.. :-0
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Post by janis on Jun 2, 2013 20:53:18 GMT
we have tried all that gillwales and nothing works i also have an experienced show rider on him !!
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Post by janis on Jun 2, 2013 20:56:13 GMT
caspa what you have said makes sense glad im not the only one feeling frustrated !! perhaps if we ask real nice he will move ha ha
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Post by caspa on Jun 2, 2013 21:01:20 GMT
Don't lose faith, I also have a highland mare, who is a dream, was expecting the same from her, but she is ace!,
It's just my naughty lad that doesn't want to behave.... So 2 highlands but completely different, I'm determined to get him right though, it's like a challenge... :-0)
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Post by janis on Jun 2, 2013 21:06:39 GMT
well any tip let me know feed etc as i have had mine on speedy mix but it makes no difference nor do oats or anything !! but we will get there if it takes 2 more years ha ha and thats just to get him round the ring lol
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Post by nici on Jun 3, 2013 9:10:49 GMT
Maybe he's bored? Have you considered other disciplines for him?
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Post by Guestless on Jun 3, 2013 10:05:28 GMT
I think with Highlands, you can easily sour them if you try too much schooling or showing. I tend to do mostly hacking and throw a bit of schooling in while they don't notice - opening gates, leg yielding past a puddle, etc can all help with schooling while pony doesn't seem to realise it's work! I remember one person whom I respect a great deal saying with Highlands it has to be "forward, forward, forward" but it does have to be done with fun in mind.
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liz00
Junior Member
Posts: 109
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Post by liz00 on Jun 3, 2013 11:03:45 GMT
sorry I had to laugh when I read this, I too have a Highland pony 'planter' he is 12 this year and has always done this, he just stops and switches off and wont budge for love nor money, i totally agree with Casper - you have to ask a Highland not tell it, that is so true, cant offer any advice you just need to find the trick to switch back on what works with some wont work with others, I sent my lad to a couple of trainers both very very well known and very very experienced and they threw their hands up in the air saying he is what he is!!
Good luck anyway
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Post by janis on Jun 3, 2013 11:23:19 GMT
thks for replies and yes we have been doing all kinds of other disiplines with him beach, jumping {which he has only just started} and really likes, and also in hand he actually got his silver medal yesterday !! but i think that from now on he is only going to be hacked and yes light schooling while hacking for the next year as he leg yeilds and everything now already {very well schooled} and by the way i have only had him 5 weeks !! so all new to me too having never had highlands before !! but love the boy to bits and yes one day he will get there he has everything else confirmtion looks and presence !! but just dont move when ridden lol but time will come when he does his only 6 and we are going to have fun fun fun !! x
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Post by Guestless on Jun 3, 2013 12:23:07 GMT
we are going to have fun fun fun !! x That's the best thing to concentrate on. ;-) I've got one who was only backed as a 6 year old and she was much more ready for it than my other Highland whom I backed as a 4 year old. I think I would wait a bit longer with anymore I have. |
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Post by Louise Dixon on Jun 3, 2013 15:44:12 GMT
Very sensible. Don't be surprised if he takes until he is 8 or 9 to come into his own. Have lots of fun!
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Post by caspa on Jun 3, 2013 16:02:46 GMT
My boy is only 5 so I don't expect him to come Ito his own until at least 7 or 8, meantime we will have some fun, going to Equifest etc, plan to turn him away for the winter and be a real highland pony...
Ill bring him in next year as a 6yr old and just see how he is doing, and take it from there, you seriously can't rush a highland...
Xxx
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Post by honeypot on Jun 3, 2013 16:28:37 GMT
If you have only had him five weeks and is only a babe I would leave all the showing and schooling 'til you have the key to him. They are incredibly stubborn and everything has to be made into something attractive for them to do as once they have learned no its a devil to make them say yes.
They are so strong and so thick skinned, literally they will not even notice you are there so my tip would be what ever anyone advises you to do, do not make a battle because you will lose.
I love my Highlands, they are kind, as well as handsome but you have to a certain extent learn to negotiate with them.
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wilbs
Full Member
Posts: 246
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Post by wilbs on Jun 3, 2013 17:21:42 GMT
If you have only had him five weeks I think you just have to give him time. They do take time to settle in to their new surroundings. Try not to be too hard on him- you will never win with harsh tactics. Some don't like schooling and showing but just leave all that till you know him a bit better. And if he is enjoying hacking and a bit of jumping then let him do things he enjoys for a while. Am sure it will come if you just get to know each other a bit better - they are very 'thinking' ponies - you will have to use your brain not brawn.
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Post by sometime on Jun 3, 2013 18:46:52 GMT
I have two highlands mother and daughter mine are the most biddable horses I have ever owned not stubborn or bargy the youngster has just been backed and went out and was second in her first ever ridden M&M class yesterday against mature adult natives. She seems to have been born balanced and forward loves life to the full but very easy to ride and do only wants to please. Mum is a different kettle of fish will only do what her rider is capable of is ideal for beginners but has to be ridden properly to do much. She expects good aids with no kicking or hitting hit her she stands still kick and she does the same but ridden well and thoughtfully she will perform perfectly.
One thing that may help is a whipwhop rope that goes over the ponies head and makes them go forward a bit like the old cowboys flapping reins at them. Once you start schooling out on your hack I would do lots of transitions and expect a response every time re-enforcing your leg with a tap from a schooling whip until you get a response from a very slight pressure dont resort to a fight with him as he will win
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