I'm working to get my new-to-me retired brood mare into harness. She is wearing the bit nicely now and I have ground driven her twice on 2 mile walks. The problem is, she is so mellow I cannot get her to move out by herself. If I ask her to move by herself, she doesn't know what I want. I have to have my neighbor go with me, taking my other horse along, to get her to move out. She's beginning to respond better to a whip cue, for moving forward and for turning. But I don't think I can get her to leave her companion until she has a better idea of what her job is.
She is unflappable with traffic and animals. Loves men and women and children equally. Anything startling just causes a pricked ear look. The harness is ho-hum.
She has never been asked to do anything except be a brood mare. Playing with her feet and legs, teaching her a simple trick, deep grooming--all are different for her. She has no clue about longing.
I'm hoping another walk or two while I ground drive will give her the gist of what I'm asking. She is so sweet; I'm used to ornery young ones that have to be taught respect. How does one work with an older sweetie pie?
I remember reading about someone else who worked with a retired brood mare. Any good tips? We are not ambitious for a show ring, just a gentle tooling on the country roads.
Perhaps trailer her somewhere else away from home and do our training?
She is unflappable with traffic and animals. Loves men and women and children equally. Anything startling just causes a pricked ear look. The harness is ho-hum.
She has never been asked to do anything except be a brood mare. Playing with her feet and legs, teaching her a simple trick, deep grooming--all are different for her. She has no clue about longing.
I'm hoping another walk or two while I ground drive will give her the gist of what I'm asking. She is so sweet; I'm used to ornery young ones that have to be taught respect. How does one work with an older sweetie pie?
I remember reading about someone else who worked with a retired brood mare. Any good tips? We are not ambitious for a show ring, just a gentle tooling on the country roads.
Perhaps trailer her somewhere else away from home and do our training?