This message is from: "Starfire Farm, LLC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Aimee, It sounds like your horse does not feel secure around you when he gets nervous. You need to give your horse something to do when he gets nervous, like walking in a circle around you at the end of your lead rope. I'm not talking about lunging, I mean walking, nice, forward, long, strides with him looking slightly towards you with a nice bend in his body. If he's nervous, he needs to do what comes naturally to a horse, which is to move. If he looks away, bring his attention back in your direction with a sharp but feeling snap or "bump" of the lead rope. If he trots off make it uncomfortable for him to stay in the trot by rhythmically bumping on the lead rope. If you've lunged this horse before, your job will be more difficult, as he's already learned to ignore you at the end of the lunge line. You should allow him to move, but you pick where and how. When he starts to get "soft" and thinks about stopping and giving you his attention, you should reward him by petting him, a lot. Reward the slightest try, at first. If he moves off before you get to where you can pet him, continue to move him, but always try to offer softness. The idea is, you make it uncomfortable for him to not "be" with you, and very comfortable for him to be with you. It could take a lot of repetition and time initially, but if you're patient, you can realize some great results. You could do this work anywhere, but if you have a round pen available, or a smaller paddock, it might be easier to start there so you don't end up all over kingdom come. Good luck. Beth -- Beth Beymer & Sandy North Starfire Farm, Berthoud CO http://www.starfirefarm.com
