Posted 2007-06-12 10:10 PM (#62225) Subject: Trainer and rearing problems
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Murphy, TX
Our 6 year old barrel horse mare has had a back injury and is finally feeling good, but now that it is time to go back to work, she has a mind of her own! She will not rate the barrels and has reared when you try to slow her on the pattern. We took her to our trainer for a tune-up. I have always trusted our trainer completely, but I am not so sure now. When I watch, our mare seems to be doing MUCH better, yet the trainer says she is no where near ready. She has been working with her for almost 2 weeks now every day. She is using a cable tie-down and a dropped noseband. (The horse was taking the bit and clenching it in her teeth and running off) How much training is too much? Our horse's mouth is pretty torn up and she has sores on her face from the tie-down. The trainer acts like I am crazy for doubting her. Any suggestions?
Posted 2007-06-13 6:39 AM (#62231 - in reply to #62225) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
JMHO, mechanical aids, unless necessary for the activity ( roping for instance, where the horse can use it to his aid) used for " restraint" denote lack of patience and SKILL on the handlers part. Your horse should NOT be getting harmed in any way.Rich
Posted 2007-06-13 7:46 AM (#62235 - in reply to #62225) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Sounds to me she isn't ready to run yet. She is showing signs of either being out of shape or just plain sore. Perhaps you need to stow the barrels, go back to basics, long easy rides and nothing tough yet.
Posted 2007-06-13 8:09 AM (#62236 - in reply to #62225) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Member
Posts: 41 Location: FL & up-state NY
I hope your horse is home and not with the "trainer" right now!!! Have you contacted your vet to discuss the issues with them? As an LMT with focus in equine sports and injury recovery in humans, I would question if the horse is not still trying to tell you something. Everything you have posted about your mare are the little red-flags that tell us that maybe she is still uncomfortable in some way. Not knowing exactly what happened to her back, diagnosis, and treatment(s) for recovery, its hard to understand what is going on. IMO, any trainer who works a horse hard after injury recovery and uses aids to the point of harm to the horse should be reported. That is flat out abuse! If it was my horse, and once again not knowing full details, I would have the vet back out (x-rays, adjustments, ...). Then I would start very slow in getting back into shape (not knowing how long the horse was on rest) until the horse is comfortable and working the way she was before her injury. Good luck!!!
Posted 2007-06-13 8:25 AM (#62237 - in reply to #62225) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Murphy, TX
Well, now me and my trainer have had words about my horse, and I will either need to fix this on my own or get a new trainer. I guess I will ride her today and assess the problem myself. She has been rearing more often with the trainer, but the trainer has been trying to push her into situations where she will rear so she can break it....any suggestions for the rearing when it happens to me? For sure, I will slow down and do ground work and maybe some trail riding.
Posted 2007-06-13 8:39 AM (#62240 - in reply to #62225) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
As previously mentioned this horse needs a thorough going over. I will wager your "trainer" wants to get her to rear so she can pull her over. Very dangerous for both horse and rider, especially one with back problems already. Time to step back, forget this " trainer" and go back to ground work and starting back slowly under saddle. Perhaps all this pushing has soured her on the barrels and some relaxed no goal work other than enjoyment for both of you will go a long way. There are plenty of ways to correct a rearing horse ( with medical reasons ruled out) without risking injury to either horse and rider. You'll have to be content with no competition for what may be a considerable period of time.Note to all, trust your instincts, if you think someone is using questionable methods, they likely are.Rich
Posted 2007-06-14 5:22 PM (#62310 - in reply to #62225) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Murphy is surrounded by great horse people. To think this trainer has clients is going to make me have nightmares. I'd do some basic muscle work to strengthen her back before returing her to running the barrels. One great way to teach them to use their muscles correctly is to teach them to pull a cart.
Ask around and tell folks about your horses problem and ask about local reputable trainers that fix problem horses. Once the problem is solved you can find a barrel trainer with more gentle methods. You don't have to run them sore or scared to get top times. If safety of horse and rider are not a trainers top priority then find another.
Posted 2007-06-14 6:01 PM (#62314 - in reply to #62310) Subject: RE: Trainer and rearing problems
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Originally written by huntseat on 2007-06-14 5:22 PM
You don't have to run them sore or scared to get top times.
AMEN TO THAT
You CAN'T run them scared or sore to get a decent ride or time- a good trainer would know this.
Just recently, I was at a horse show for 4 days. When I came home, my 5 yr old was very sensitive to any touch over his croup( he wasn't at the show but was at home). There was no sign of trama or visiable lameness, just sore. So I saddle him, rode him and he seemed ok. But evetually he wasn't ok- started to crow hop and refuse to slide into a canter, which is known to do beautifully. I finally concluded there was a problem no amount of bitting up or lounging could fix- just rest. How I missed this for two weeks is just stupid of me. So he just sat for three weeks- and now he seems recovered from whatever it was but he is being ridden only 2 days a week and constantly checked. There is no way he will give me 100% ride when he is sore.
Have your horse reexamined and get rid of the trainer.
Trainer and rearing problems
