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Riding a young horse outside

I have a problem with my mare, she is going to be 4 years old and I have a hard time getting her to do what I want. Until now, I rode her on trail a lot, along with another horse. When I try to lead, she refuses to go forward, walks on the spot. To make her trot and to especially to keep trotting, it takes all my energy (even the whip does not get her to go!).
But when I am behind another horse, she becomes very nervous, as if she was afraid the other horse is going to leave her behind.
When we are taking a faster pace like extended trot or canter, I have a hard time holding her back. I have the feeling it's the horse in front that does all the work. But as soon as we are in front, there is no problem stopping her (walk and trot), and it's impossible to even get her to canter.

Could you help me resolve this problem before it's too late?

This is a common problem with a very young horse on trail.

The horse has not been trained enough to obey, is not serene and does not pay attention to you when you work him at home (in an arena), and he will hold back or get too excited on trail, depending on the circumstances.

The base work of the first year of training (dressage or any other discipline - three good gaits, calm, forward and straight to repeat a famous quote) has not been done, or was not done carefully enough.

Your mare was not ready…
Fear of the unknown, stress of having to leave the trail buddy and gregarious instinct explain the reactions of your mare. The other horse, for her, represents safety. The other horse reassures her because he is serene, that is if he is a calm and self assured horse on trail.

Your mare refuses to go forward when leading, because she feels she has to leave her trail companion, which makes her worry. It's a source of stress, or even of fear. And vice versa, when she is following a horse that is going too far ahead or at a faster pace, your mare is scared of finding herself alone, too far from the other horse.
She gets excited, she could loose even loose all perception of reality, become unsafe.

My advice is to go back to basics. Work your horse at home or in a indoor arena, to establish a true partnership and total confidence between you and your mare.
Then, go back on trail after having warmed her up and worked her in a quiet way. Follow a horse that is nicely "broke" to trails, ridden by a rider who will pay attention to your problems.

The trail ride is to be led in the calmest way, only at the walk for the first few times, and always behind the "teacher" horse.
Only start on trot when you feel your mare serene and loosened up - A slow trot and very cadenced trot, on short distances and on a flat terrain with regular footing…

Progressively increase your demands.
Every now and then, bring your horse next to the leading horse, "boot to boot" with the other rider.
After a while, you may try leading the ride.
Use the same method to introduce canter, but only after a long time. You have to feel what you can or can't do… Reassure her when needed, stay serene and sure of yourself… Your calmness and sense of security will be communicated to your mare.
During that time, also go on trail alone with your mare.
First, walk with her, in front of her or next to her. You will be the reference guide, the "leader of the herd", the protector… She will start to trust you, and feel reassured. Then start riding her, maybe after a while during your trail… always at a walk or slow trot.
Later you can introduce the faster gaits, which usually are the cause of excitement at the beginning.

To ride a young horse on trail is an entire philosophy… it is an exciting art, and a great pleasure for a self assured, serene and relaxed rider…

next themes

Posture-position / Walk / Trot / Canter / Shoulder-in / half-pass / Flying change of lead / Pirouette /

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