So I recently took in a barrel horse tune up, she has been off all winter and the owner asked if I’d put a few rides on her to see where she’s at. I did not start this mare, she is a long 4 year old. 

She is really hot, sweats herself out at a trot when not getting asked to go fast at all. The first few rides I mostly worked on speed control, she seemed like she was picking it up and on ride number 4 I was asking her to yield her hips and when I asked her to yield left she had a come apart. I got her out of it and got her to go on and finish on a good calm note. On ride 6 as soon as I asked her to disengage her hips to the left she had another come apart, originally I thought she was fighting the bit, she is really mouthy on it, so I tried a side pull. She was really relaxed in the side pull until I asked for her to disengage her hindquarters to the left. On the ground I went all over her body, she is really touchy on the right side near the back cinch. 

Any ideas besides just going back and working on her sensitive spots? 

Finally found a good horse vet ( in our rural area all the good vets are cow vets) to examine my horse. She said he is blind. He can see blobs and not much of that were her words. Definitely explains a lot. Also, definitely helps with how to go about earning his trust and building his confidence. Anyone one have any experience with this? Also, if you have a blue-eyed horse that is erratic, defensive, and nervous, it might help to get its vision checked.

We've made it home safe from or epic adventure in France and we have all been forever changed by the experience.  The people were welcoming, the accommodations were perfect, and the food was incredible!  All I can say is that we will be back.  Here are a few pics, I'll share more as I can.

This trip to France has been incredible!  I'll share pics as soon as I get some good internet. 🤠

I hope everyone had a great weekend and you're all ready for Monday!😁. Anyone using the ES20 Rope Horse program?  Any feedback?

I was going to post a video but can’t figure out how, so here are a few snapshots from some successful ground driving. This exercise has made a huge difference in this mare! She’s much softer when riding and it’s helped her understand backing 100% better. I think we’re both more confident knowing we’ve worked out a lot of kinks on the ground before doing it the hard way under saddle. Last pic is after a great ride. 

the back cinch caused my horse to buck so i took it off. It wasn’t a big deal because we were just training in an arena. Now she is advancing and i need the back cinch. Should i put it on and just let her buck?

My mare wants to go straight into a trot , canter when I first mount. What am I doing to cause this? Do I need to round pen to run off a little energy at first?

Could use a little help. I have a five year-old gelding that I have been working with for a few months. Great attitude, relatively quick learner (and a good teacher). Just had annual check up and no issues. Recently, he has started pawing after riding a few circles (either direction) at a slow trot. No protest when starting and none ever with ground work (both lunge line and liberty). I am a little concerned about the sweat at his whithers and him being sore there. I tried shimming the saddle a little and that helped some but still same pawing after a few circles. He’d go if I force him, but I suspect he is uncomfortable because he becomes a bit hot (nothing major) when I push. I have tried a smaller, lighter saddle and he did better with that - although I struggled.  

Other factors:

1. No change to riding location.

2. Is grazing more due to available grass (not enough to see weight change).

3. Temperature is ~20 degrees warmer when riding now.

Any recommendations? I have ordered a saddle pad with shims to adjust and am thinking a week of rest, even though I don’t see any signs of lameness/ soreness.

I want to wish all of you a very happy Easter.  We hope you have a wonderful day!