Tips for Breaking an Evasion Habit in My Horse?
I have a 11 yr old gelding I recently started training/owning in the last few years. His last trainer has given him the basics in dressage and showjumping, but have also managed to completely deplete his confidence. (When I first started riding him he wouldn’t even walk on!).
Luckily, he’s come a long way, but he does have one rather major problem that only happens in our dressage arena.
At about the end of a dressage session, I’ll ask him for a downward transition from canter to trot, and he will completely resist, throw his head up, and try to bolt.
I’ve tried the usual ways of helping his problem, including repetition until he gets it right, running him out until he stops bolting on his own accord, preempting his bolting with half-halts.. etc. etc.
It seems to be only a temporary fix, though, because sure enough, the next dressage session, he’ll do it again!
Obviously, his last trainers have done something really awful to him in the dressage arena.
I would be grateful for any tips or advice on fixing this problem!!
Thanks,
If he refuses to do a downward transition, instead of just letting him run in circles around the ring, aim him for a wall. Unless its jumpable, and you think he would try, he would either try to stop or turn away. Pull him back and keep aiming towards the wall.
If that doesnt work, try making him do donuts. He would most likely not want to keep cantering the tiny circles and will slow down.
Good luck!