At 22:05:51 on 28.06.10, amber01 wrote:
Hi I am new to the site and could do with some advice please? I have just taken out a part loan on a veiw to by with a 11yr old piebold gypsy vanner. I dont think she has had much schooling I have noticed things wrong when I rode her for the first time the other day which are. she keeps turning her head to the left mainly on the left rein, falls in and if you nudge her to go to the corner she will resist and you end up in the middle of the paddock, she carnt walk trop straight going over a jump and she is a cow to pick her feet up. What could this be? Schooling problems Tack and Saddle? Medical? I hope any of you can help me I dont know what to do.

At 04:27:30 on 29.06.10, kibby wrote:
it sounds like a schooling problem.. do you get lessons.. lessons on the flat i think would really help..

At 07:46:18 on 29.06.10, essexequine wrote:
Schooling. You need to work on getting her to responde to pressure. So starting on the ground, when you ask her to move over put you hand where you leg would go and push. Release the pressure when she moves. Getting her to mover her head while on the ground will also help. Put her bridle on and ask her to flex/bend to the left and right. This is a good place to start. Good luck. What does she do when you pick her feet up? Does she kick out, wave it about? I'm afraid thats going to be a repition thing. If she doesn't like you touching her leg then get her used to it by running a schooling up and down her legs till she stands still. AS soon as she stands still take the whip of her. This way she learns that she can't escape by running but if she stands still then it goes. then gradually increase the amount of time she has to stand before you reward her

At 12:01:08 on 29.06.10, amber01 wrote:
Thanyou for your repllies guys. I thought and hoped it would just be a schooling thing, I am going to try and do a much work with her as i can this week when i have her only have her 3 days a week. When picking her feet up she either refuses and your pulling so much on her feathers and digging in your elbow to try and release her leg, seh is so strong and stubburn. she will normally pick up her front legs ok, but when you get to the back legs especiall the back right leg its a battle or is the strongest lol. She eventually lifts her foot up after a work out lol but then she will try and kick out i have succedded to keep her foot up but there so heavy sometimes ive had to let go. I will get a picture soon so you can see her she is gorgous

At 21:38:59 on 29.06.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
it could be a trust thing with the feet too, if she doesnt know you very well she may be a bit reluctant to allow a stranger to lift her feet, this was this case when i first got my horse, after a while it got easier. but definately repitition and schooling :) im sure she is gorgeous :D you will get so much satisfaction when there are things to work on with her

At 23:16:01 on 29.06.10, Polkadotpolly wrote:
repition is the way to go with her feet and perseverance is the way to go with the rest of the stuff amke sure you really praise her when she does good but ignore her when she isn't doing what you want... When you have her hoof picked up tip it forward from the toe then they can't pull it away as easy...constantly play with her legs so she gets used to them being touched...brushing, rubbing, hosing, anything at all so long as they are being touched...