The Majestic Rider provides natural horsemanship training for gaited horses and regular horses. Spec
05/05/2025
https://youtu.be/Fv_Ot1ByxRU?si=tYfbNS_EoM860T6I
Many gaited horses are rushed through their training or treated like machines. The only interaction they get from humans is making them do things, and no bonding time.
You end up with a horse that is shut down. He or she may do what you want, but they are not happy about it. They do not engage and usually walk away when you go to catch them.
Some horses become shut down after a bad experience even though they started out well. This horse is coming around quicker than most shut down horses I get, so I expect he became shut down, but he is more on the sensitive side.
Yesterday he was very engaging and curious with what I was doing. But I am spending lots of time on the ground with him, no riding, just bonding exercises.
Your horse may be either one if it is shut down. A poor start or a bad experience. The trick is not to make them do anything but to encourage them to be curious, reward them for trying, and give them the time they need. But help them make the decision to be with you. Make being with you a good thing.
If you catch the horse that doesn't want to be caught, ride it for 6 hours. Guess what? Tomorrow, it won't want to be caught either. Make being with you pleasant, then add the work in after you have made the bond with them.
Keep thinking in the back of your mind, what would want him to be with me? Don't forget to keep thinking instead of getting upset with them, they are not born shut down, they become shut down for a reason. The more you force them to do things the more they will become shut down.
Don't forge...
