Mouthy and slow

[iluvcreek4vr]

Ok i have two problems i need some help with:

The first one is that Creek is starting to get really mouthy and will bite anything like halters and the wood post. There is alot of little kids around and i dont let them get anywhere near his mouth but i dont know how i should stop him from doing this. Everyone is saying that i should just ignore him, he is just looking for attention, when he is biting the wood post and halters but i dont want him to ruin anything.

The second problem is that Creek has decided to start moving really slow at the trot and i have to keep pushing him on with my legs to get him moving faster. I dont get why he has suddenly decided to move so slow but any suggestions would be wonderful! thanks

[HappyHorse13]

How old is Creek? Young horses, like puppies, tend to be mouthy because they are getting in teeth and such. If he goes at you, though, put your elbow up at him.

And if Creek is getting lazy, try a light tap with a crop, or maybe some lunging, too.

Hope I helped!

[crazy4horses]

I'm not an expert but I wouls suggest using training reins. I know you said that Creek is mouthy but with tranig reins you wont have to deal with his mouth thr reains will!! Do you know what or how to use training reins?

[iluvcreek4vr]

Creek is 11 years old and i dont know what training reins are. He also keeps pulling on the bit too.

[musiccraze777]

Silver might have good advice...you should try pming her if she doesn't see this topic...

[silverleprichuan]

Mouth behavior at 11 is completely unacceptable and he needs to learn that fast before he breaks a little kids finger. Next time you groom him do so in an aisle where you have lots of room but let him be within mouths-reach of halter, blankets, etc. The minute he goes after one he gets a firm no, a smack on the chest, and backs up 4-5 steps. The most important part is the your punishment is swift but brief. Afterwards make him take a step or two towards you and rub his forehead for a few seconds; he must respect you and your belongings but you don't ever want him to fear you hands.
If he is intellegent (which I am positive that he is) he will learn quickly that grabbing objects is not worth getting yelled at and backed up.

As for the lazy trot thing I would certainly check his saddle fit (if he's muscled up recently it might be tight in areas where it wasn't 6 months ago) and make sure that his teeth have been done recently. If he is physically healthy then it's okay to get after him for his lazy behavior. Carry a crop and don't be afraid to use it. If you give him a nudge for him to extend and move out and he doesn't respond accordingly, he gets a big pop in the rear end. Think of it as ask-tell, you ask nicely with your legs and if he doesn't respond then he immediately gets "told" what to do with your crop. He will soon learn that it is easier to respond when you "ask" instead of waiting around to be told.

[Barrelbabe_23]

I agree with sliver!!

[iluvcreek4vr]

Thanks for all your help silver!!! but the thing is that we tie all the horse to a hitching post not to cross ties should i do the same thing when we are on the hitching post?

And also if the saddle is making him go slower should i look for a new one? Or should i try and readjust the one i have on him for now? Is there a way i can readjust it until i have to get a new one?

[silverleprichuan]

The same principle works for a hitch post. Just toss the leadrope over his back without tying him and that way you can immediately back him when necessary.

Is there anyone who knows a lot about saddle fit or a local saddle fitter who could come out and check your saddle? Without seeing your saddle on your horse in person I can't tell you if it fits but it could be part of your horses reluctance to move forward. If your saddle is tight then it is difficult to adjust it even temporarily to make it fit better but if it is a little loose then an extra pad may help.

[iluvcreek4vr]

ok thanks for your help!! I actually think i do need a new saddle pad. It isnt cut right for him. He has high withers and the pad keeps slidding down and rubbing on the withers. So do you know any nice saddle pads that arent that expensive?(for western riding)

[silverleprichuan]

Honestly I don't know much about western saddle pad brands (I'm an eventer) but I'd recommend doing such internet research.

http://www.horsetackreview.com/results-reader-reviews/Western%20Saddle%20Fittings/Pads


^if something there looks really promising you can probably find it cheaper at a local consignment shop or on ebay.

[alliekk]

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SAB45-S&Category_Code=1030&Product_Count=4

I have this saddle pad. come check it out... and truth be told, unless you have connections, there's no getting around the fact that the more expensive, the better quality.

[iluvcreek4vr]

So i have a question i am looking at some new saddle pads. I am wondering if this pad would fit him. He has high withers. so i am not quite sure if it would fit right please help.

http://www.horse.com/products/sku-WIJ88__dept-16.html