AOD Pt 5

Every-time I rode now, I used the running martingale. But she was taking advantage of it, didn’t respect the pressure, after the overuse of the extreme pressure of the stretcher, and therefore I was riding with a horse that had a head that was almost touching the sky. She seemed have gotten more than just sore muscles out of that thing. Maybe she knew what I wanted her to do? Rarely did she relax, it was just a shuffle of rides with little learned each time. I felt stuck, and in a rut with her and my riding. What was a new horse owner supposed to do? I had received more advice to bring her head down. See saw on her mouth and when she brings her head down, release. I still used to running martingale, but I forced her head down this time with my hands. We managed to have more success as far as the head goes, in this method. But she was still resistant. Her sensitive mouth was taking an undeserved beating. I really do not understand why people advise others to do these things.. I look back at it now, another shameful moment, when both horse and rider were frustrated, and the frustration as only escalated when other forceful methods were introduced.

I managed to ride without the running martingale, and continue to use my hands to bring her down. When I’d use my hands to bring the head down, I’d use the word “head” along with it. That way, possibly, I could use a voice command to communicate instead of this hands thing. I didn’t know what else to do, anyone who helped me really didn’t know what they were advising. But I take full responsibility for not knowing better and taking that advice.

As time went on, I had to learn to lighten my hand and relax my body, so she could do the same. The task wasn’t the easiest…