Hi-
I have been given a 5 y.o horse that has been mistreated a lot---he was malnurished untill my neighbor rescued him and got him veterinary care and proper feeding 1 year ago. This spring she sent him for training at a horrendous facility [despite my protests] His first bitting was with a twisted wire w/2 inch shanks and a curb----- When my neighbor brought me to see the horse at the trainers he had red cuts and sores from the bit--------I had a fit and made a scene about it----to no avail. A month later my neighbor called and asked me if I wanted the horse because she was scared of him and the trainer couldn't get him to do anything---he fought her so much [suprise?]
So, I have spent 2 months lunging "Teddy" he goes very nicely, knows all voice commands and can handle all gaits and upward/downward transitions on the lunge circle----even halts square. He has a very impressive trot and offers a first rate extension on his own sometimes. He was very fussy/busy about the bit when I introduced it [after a month of just halter]He seems to have gotten comfortable w/ a herm sprenger KK aurigan loose ring.
I yeild him in hand and I have begun riding him. My problem is that he seems to ignore my inside leg and lead with his inside shoulder on turns/corners, bending to the outside. I think basically we are having trouble with "move away from my leg" [He will do this in hand too- try to evade/lean against me if I ask him to step sideways]I make a small circle and tap the whip at my calf at girth/ outside leg back behind girth--- he can respond perfectly, but often get's pissy and tries to put his head above, lean, and/or behind the bit and generally try pulling me around before settling down and acepting my requests. Today I got quite firm w/ him and shortened my reins and just made him do it -----he sorted out but was not happy about the firmness of my aids----I'm just not sure if he's evading or if I'm not asking him correctly.
Teddy did learn to fight the bit/ clamp down on it and run/ and get behind it with his "medeivil methods trainer"----I have left his mouth alone and tried to do as much as possible w/ my body. I want to be sure I'm correct and not messing him up some how. I have been riding with a light contact and a brisk pace. I can take a firmer contact and have him relax poll/and jaw -----but I feel it's a bit grudging --- so I stick to light contact and lot's of circles and transitions. When he does offers soft flexions on his own I reward with pats/praise but I don't try to "hold it".
I guess I need some advice on how to proceed with rein aids----and how to be sure that I am using my leg/ seat aids correctly.
sorry this is so long ;]
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