Pole Bending out of control.

[Gingy's girl]

I really need some advise from someone who knows more about pole bending than i do. I resently (2 days ago) came across a problem with my 11 year old mare. She did this when i first started riding her, but i thought i had it under control. As we are running down the side of the pole about to turn the end pole to start our weave, she throws her head up and pulls the reins, giving me no control, which in turn makes us look like fools in the arena. I would really enjoy it if someone would give me some advise on our problem.

[Max]

I'm no expert in pole bending but it could be it takes more energy to pole bend than to just walk or trot so she could be saying no to doing it.

[cowgirlqtpie]

Heyy I would I train pole horses and I recently won 1stin the state of alabama and went to the nfr and I would say she either has an attitude or her teeth may need floating also you could practice maore and more it could just be a habit :)

[bethfornow]

I've never done gaming before except the friendly round of barrels every now and again but I would chech her teeth like somon said and then regress. Start at a walk, then trot the controlled canter if you can get her to. if she does it at other gaits it's probably attitude which in case she prolly just needs a little tough love to get her over what ever mental hump she's having.

I would rule out any kind of pain before you punish her though.

PS are training forks allowed in pole bending comps??

[prince&me]

ive never done pole bending and just wanna know is it fun and if so can you get seriously hurt doing it.

[dani_girl_luvs_horses]

hey my horse used to do that except in barrells. but how i broke him of that was troting around and making him flex (turn his head/neck into the inside) it helps to have a snaffle bit. just make your horse flex around the pole at a walk then a trot don't canter to soon until you both know the pattern in your sleep exspecially your horse. it won't cure it overnight but within a week or two of constant practice i bet it will help if not solve the problem. =)

[misschexsan]

I agree with the practicing of flexion, and working slow and just practicing turns along a rail, and turning towards the rail not away from it. Maybe even try a tie down to keep her head down but I would realy say practice the pattern slow. Just my thoughts Dorothy