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Ross learned how to drive the tractor and started working on the sheep’s hay mess, doing some grading and cleanup in the barnyard for me.
And (in between tractor work) Morgan was ready to get Patriot saddled up.
This did not go well, and we’re not sure why. Patriot didn’t want to accept the bit. I don’t think it was the specific bit as he refused the bit entirely, would not open his mouth. At all. Not wanting to force him, we stopped, took a break, taught Ross to drive the tractor, let Patriot browse in the pasture, then went back to get him a few hours later. He came willingly, everything just fine, till we tried to put the bridle on him. Again, same thing, he refused to open his mouth. (Yes, tried the thing about putting fingers to the side of his mouth. He just wouldn’t open his mouth.)
At this point, we called the horse trainer up the road. He came down, and had the same problem, only he’s better at it, of course, and he got the bridle and bit on Patriot and saddled him up. Patriot was completely calm about it all except for taking the bit, which he resisted. Feeling a little unsure of Patriot’s behavior because of the bit resistance, the trainer didn’t want to let Morgan ride him without a lead. But, oh, she so wanted to ride her horse! So he started to walk her around the barnyard with Patriot on the lead. They didn’t get far before Patriot bucked and threw Morgan.
Which was scary.
She is okay.
We took everything off Patriot and put him back in the pasture. Morgan does not want to get back on him.
At the moment, I’m not sure where we are on our horse journey.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on April 9, 2012
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I’m glad Morgan is OK. That would be totally scary! I feel badly for both the horse (for what he may have been through in the past) and your daughter but most problems can be resolved with time & patience.
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11:24
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So sorry to hear about Patriot. I hope it works out though. Being bucked off is scary, don’t give up Morgan! Set backs suck, but we can trudge right through them.
11:43
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Was it a real ‘buck’ or a crow hop?
He has been on green pasture and petted for a week or more. Why should he want something in his mouth and someone on his back?
Things will settle down. This is all part of horsemanship.
Deep breaths Morgan, you will do this.
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12:09
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It would be worth checking out further. There would be no bit to contend with and things would most likely go a bit smoother.
I know that a lot of people will lunge a spunky horse for a while before riding just to get the jumpiness out and get the horse to settle down. It is part of teaching who is boss and maintaining that power as well. Riding can be a lot easier after doing this.
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http://www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/natural-horsemanship/
12:18
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I guess even having a horse as a pet takes time for the naimal and the new owner, especially those that are rescues, we dont know completley what they ahve been through, what they remember that frightens them, and unfortunatley they cant tell us, only through there reactions to things. Hopefully time will help Patriot adjust, maybe a companion horse that Morgan can ride would help. Animals learn by watching their humans interacting with like animals. I certainly hope he comes around, he has been through enough sadness in his life. Like humans, animals have a hard time trusting completley once they have been abused.
12:21
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So take a breathe and call in a pro! DOn’t give up!
12:38
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1:03
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I definitely second the idea of having his mouth checked, and lunging him before the next ride. He sounds like such a chill guy, he must have a pinch or sore someplace. It’s a new, unfamiliar field, maybe he nibbled on something he shouldn’t have, like a prickery something, and the bit just rubbed him on a sore spot from that.
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Now, Morgan. I’ve never owned a horse, only ridden some that were already trained and saddled for me, so I cannot tell you anything about that. Your Mom’s readers have offered a lot of great advice (I know I wouldn’t want something in my mouth!) and you have a horse trainer nearby and can always call the rescue group. I can only repeat what others said, and what you, as a top athlete, already know: Don’t give up!!!!
1:46
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The first one was startled by a Blue Racer Snake… and sadly, where I got thrown was into the electric fencing! I can attest to why horses don’t like to get close to electric fencing! Even though her fright (and throwing me) wasn’t her fault, I didn’t want to ride her again. However, her owner (A Veterinarian) MADE me get back on… I was one terrified girl (I was 15 at the time) but I did it. No more snakes and no more problems with that horse!
Then, about 15 years ago, we had a horse that was at our barn as a boarding animal. He was a WONDERFUL calm horse. We rode him all the time and never had an issue, until one day he decided he was going to buck and slam me into the wall of the barn where he was tied to be saddled and all. He did some major bruising to my leg. He didn’t want to be ridden but instead let out of the stall and into all that green grass. This was early Spring, and he thought being ridden was a rotten idea when all he wanted to do was get out into the pastures from the long winter! The Owner was there and able to stop Charlie (yes his name was Charlie Horse!) and I got off without being thrown off, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort on Charlie’s part! I unsaddled him and started to take him to the pasture, but the owner said no, that he was to remain tied to the stall wall, like a kid in time out for a half hour, so he knew he was naughty, and couldn’t misbehave to try and get his own way. He was then put back in his stall and never did get out to that new pasture that day.
My heart broke every time I went to the barn as he was the most sad eyed contrite horse EVER! But he never tried to get his own way like that again. The worst he did was once when I was out riding he was “parading” for the cows in a pasture across the street and wouldn’t take my cues to go back to the barn until I got off and pulled him by hand. But he didn’t throw me, so I was happy.
So don’t give up, Morgan. I am sure Patriot has a good reason for not wanting to be ridden… like all that nice green Spring grass just waiting for him to be chewing on it! Remember, he is a survivor of the Great Horse Feed Famine, and probably has some issues with being parted from food! LOL
2:01
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so hope you are not bruised too badly.I do hope things work out for you.
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2:35
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- Patriot wasn’t happy about Morgan getting on at the pen.
- When Patriot was following, Morgan had slack reins, so he was in charge.
From what I can see, he uses a curb bit, so unless he has a sore in his mouth, I’d say he may be little lazy from his pampering and wanting to establish a pecking order. So Morgan, since she’s hesitant about riding, should lunge Patriot at least once a day. This keeps him from being bored and lets him know who’s in charge.
Morgan doesn’t need to be discouraged. This can be the best lesson for her, and Patriot. If he has the stamina to buck, he has the stamina to be a good riding horse.
Patience. It works with horses.
2:42
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3:22
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-always get back on your horse if you have been thrown off. Shows them they are NOT in charge and that behavior is naughty and will not be tolerated.
(getting back on can be hard to do sometimes when your body or pride is hurt. or the tears are coming down so hard you can barely see, which is usually the case for me)
-never get on your horse in the barn or pasture, always take them out of their “element”
-keep the reins tight enough so u have full control of the horses head
-when riding always bear your weight down in the stir-up to help hold you in
-never let go of the reins
Just relax Morgan & don’t be scared, get back on your horse and ride!!
I have fallen so many times I cant count, I have cried every time but I have always got back on. Eventually you and Patriot will fall into a rhythm together and you will have complete confidence. horses can sense your mood and will know if you are nervous and or scared.
What’s that country song? “Cow girls don’t cry, ride baby ride”. I don’t know who sings it but every time I hear I cry bc it reminds me of my Grandpa, who always said “never cry get back up on your horse and ride”. Even tho I cry every single time I get bucked / fall off.
have fun!
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5:38
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The horse trainer can maybe show Morgan how to fall safely.
I also would ask the rescue people to come out and work with Patriot and Morgan.
5:53
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When I was going to look at and ride a horse that our neighbors wanted to sell us, he bucked me off and ran back to the his pasture. Mom was waiting with the owner, and I came back, yes… crying a bit, but “ok”, and told my mom that that’s the horse I wanted, that one, Danny. We did end up buying him, even though I was a bit scared to ride him, and mom was very nervous…
After some time, slowly working with him, he settled in and became the best horse in the world, so it will happen.
The bit issue… well, the horse I mentioned above, Danny, didn’t like a bit in his mouth. So, the bridle we used was called a hackamore, and worked fine for him. Here’s a great site for looking at some of these: http://www.bitlessbridle.com/?gclid=CI6V0dffqK8CFYoDQAodJDLTZg
Worth a try with Patriot, maybe??
We usually always rode bareback, even though we had a saddle for him, and I think that this was more comfortable for the horse, to begin with. I have always felt that it is easier to hop off a horse that is bucking if I am NOT in a saddle. The back strap that is lower on the belly, called the billet strap, can sometimes be too tight on a horse can cause him to be irritated. The (front, cinch strap does need to be very snug, so the saddle won’t slip.
If the trainer agrees, I’d have her try to ride him bareback, with a lead… and if he acts up, it’s easy to jump off and also easier to hang on than you might think – hold a big chunk of the mane and use her legs to also hold on, she’ll get the hang of it.
Much luck to you and Morgan, I know that it’s going to be fine with a lot of patience. I hope some of this is helpful for you, it’s just based on what we did with a “sensitive” horse like Danny, so your trainer friend may disagree with me.
6:12
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I hope he settles down. Maybe he was afraid of the tractor? Or just not having a good day. I’m glad there were people there. But she has to get back on. If not him, then another horse soon. Or she will be like me and never get back on. Or be too old to. Get back on, sweetie! (Was she nervous at all when she did get on? Because that’s what happened to me. And Sally felt my nervousness through me to her. And when that happened, up in the air went I.)
7:51
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( For non horse people )
“People who lunge their horse do it to get the wind out of the horses sails when they have been kept in a stall and come out being crazy and silly and too hot to get right on and ride.”
9:20
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I was always told … Green horses and green riders make black and blue.
Let her do groundwork with Patriot and work with the local trainer. Their relationship will work out in time. She and Patriot both have to get an education.
Have a great week!!!
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6:45
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BTW lunging is working the horse in circles from the ground using a long line sometimes using a long “whip” to guide the horses movements (not used on the horse) without being on the horse’s back. The horse learns to trust and respond to his handler.
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Take heart, Morgan! You’re going to do fine.
“Skill to do comes of doing”. Ralph Waldo Emerson
10:33
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Also you may want to add a night latch (sometimes called a bucking strap) which can be made from an old belt and attached to the saddle for a better place to hold on until Morgan gain her balance and more experience. Only riding in an enclosed area and with a lead rope is always a good idea on a new horse and a green rider. Good luck!
11:08
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I hope and pray that things work out, but please get things worked out before Zip comes into the picture. Any problems will be magnified with the herd-mate and no one wants to see either of you hurt!
8:03
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It sounds like there is a lot of mental work to do behind the scenes to get Patriot where you are comfortable with him. But you galls are tough enough for it.
STOLEN REFRIGERATOR? NO PROBLEMO!
NO HEAT, ELECTRICITY, OR WATER? MEH!
HORSE? ????
ALL CAPITALIZED LETTERS? INTENSITY!?
8:04
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9:43
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I like Sheryl’s analogy of falling off when you’re learning to ride a bike.
You’ve got plenty of good advise from your trainer, from Heart of Phoenix, and from the horse folks here. I would just echo those urging Morgan not to give up, and to get back on Patriot as soon as it’s safe. Don’t let the fear win. I’ve been thrown a few times, gotten back on, and continued to enjoy riding. But when I was in training to climb telephone poles I fell off. I wanted to climb back up, but had to go to the hospital and get patched up, and then wasn’t allowed to climb again. I ended up with a fear of climbing up heights that has stuck with me. Getting back on a horse that’s thrown you can teach you lessons about conquering fear that can help you in lots of situations.
But that doesn’t necessarily make it easier for a mom to watch it.