...at the reins? I used to own an off-the-track racehorse who would constantly be tugging at the reins with her head - sharp, little tugs to get "more headroom". It took me a year to get rid of the habit so she wouldn't do that with me any more. My tactic was usually simply tugging back in the same manner with the same amount of pressure, or tightening the reins a little more every time she did it. I also do think I tried riding more on a loose rein, but this is a long time ago and my memory is getting a little fuzzy about it all! I went to ride that mare again a few weeks ago - the new owner hasn't done anything about the behaviour and now she's doing it again, constantly!
I've been wondering whether I used the right technique since obviously I didn't manage to completely get rid of the behaviour. Now I'm training a standardbred who I'm JUST managing to teach to walk on a semi-loose rein (he's fierce about starting to run when you loosen them) and he's starting to do the same tugging thing! I really appreciate that he's getting more used to being on a loose rein, but there are simply a lot of things to take care of with this horse and I'm getting a little tired of tackling every problem at once.
What do YOU do when a horse starts displaying that kind of behaviour and do you see it as representative of a bigger problem? Respect - problems with the bit - too short reins - just old habits?
I've been wondering whether I used the right technique since obviously I didn't manage to completely get rid of the behaviour. Now I'm training a standardbred who I'm JUST managing to teach to walk on a semi-loose rein (he's fierce about starting to run when you loosen them) and he's starting to do the same tugging thing! I really appreciate that he's getting more used to being on a loose rein, but there are simply a lot of things to take care of with this horse and I'm getting a little tired of tackling every problem at once.
What do YOU do when a horse starts displaying that kind of behaviour and do you see it as representative of a bigger problem? Respect - problems with the bit - too short reins - just old habits?