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  Discussion on Filly Turns Obnoxious!
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Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2001 - 10:31 am:

I would greatly appreciate advice on this problem. I have a filly who will be 3 in June. I have had her for about 2 months. When I got her, she had received some ground training- she leads well and loads beautifully in a trailer. But she had only been lunged about 3 times.After letting her settle in for about 3 weeks, I began working with her, only twice per week for no more than 20 minutes. I began with just the lunging cavesson. The first couple of times she was bad, wouldn't go in a circle, spinning,etc. Then she improved a great deal, knows her Walk, trot, canter commands and was doing fine.I introduced the bit, just by putting in on a headstall and letting her wear it in her stall, then I lunged her with it under her cavesson, then finally with the lunge line connected directly to the bit with a lunging strap. I had first tried a simple jointed snaffle, but then switched to a french link- she seemed to find this much more comfortable. She lately, she has been lunged with the bit and wearing a surcingle. She was so good, the last few minutes I would connect very loose side reins for just 2-3 minutes walk and trot in each direction. Absolutely no problem, I gave her lots of breaks, a couple of treats if she did something good, etc. The problem is, the last 3 times I have worked with her, doing exactly the same thing for the same length of time (in an arena) she has been very bratty, resistant and wild. Bucking, trying to jerk away from me, spinning in the other direction, ignoring commands that I know she understands. I get after her, not by hitting her but through my voice and making her move forward on the lunge rather than backing up and all that nonsense. I cannot figure out why the sudden change in attitude when she was doing SO well! I am hoping someone can help!

Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2001 - 4:51 pm:

There are so many possibilities and the amount of information you provide scant. It is not unusual at all for horses to back up during their training. Once you rule out medical problems you need to be sure she is lunged after having been turned out awhile if you haven't been. Many come out of the stall like this, then calm down with a little pastue exercise. Next when she does it,it should be calmly worked through, if she is out of control let her go around till she rids herself of the extra energy, and the lesson not stopped after she has calmed down.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jan 29, 2001 - 1:21 pm:

Hello Dr.O,

Thanks very much for your reply. I think I know what the problem is. My filly is usually turned out all day in a very large paddock with several other mares. She likes this, since it is what she is used to with her previous owner. But during the week she was acting so snarky, so had been turned out with just herself and a new horse, a 18 month old filly. I found out she was being just miserable to the new horse, bossing her around something awful. The paddock they were in is not as big, either, less room to run around. She is now back in with her buddies in the larger area and it is like night and day as far as her attitude! So hopefully we will not see any more of 'bad horsie'. Thanks again.
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