Mental maturity

[angelsdream]

Hi Guys,

Need advice on kiger's mentally maturing. I know Ive seen that kigers (boys & girls) physically mature slower than domestic horses but what about there mental state? After riding Bella these past few months, it seems she is still very immature mentally, which is to be expected with a 3 year old but see'ing how this is my first kiger Ive raised and started, Im still learning there mental state as well and how to react. At what age do they start getting with the program? She's great and tries but her attention is still not on me and I feel like I have to keep re-peating alot of stuff that I KNOW she knows cause she dont want to pay attention or just DO. She tends to be a bit lazy on cues but when I step up the pressure and get on her, she picks it up and responds to everything very nice, so I know she knows, but after about ten minutes, she's right back to not responding to my cues, and even the trainer stated the same thing so I know Im not confusing her but I dont want to have to keep getting on her to make her do what Im asking. We are still at very simple steps with the training and Im very light with all my cues at first and give her time to figure it out.

Do I just keep going with her and re-peating everything til she responds or give her more time to mature? She's always willing and has never bucked or anything, it's just the work ethic! This is all new to me because Lakota has always been soooo light and tries her heart out for you, but again she was 12 when I got her.

[stormyranch]

This is a great question! I have had the same problem and have found that about 6 it's like all of a sudden the light bulb just gets brighter.

[gotkiger]

My mare Dollie still does this. She knows what I am asking but it is almost like i have to get a bit angry at times for her to say "okay, fine we'll do it your way" then she is like the best horse out there. She knows she is smart and lazy so she will try to get away with doing things half way. Persistance is all I can say will help. Just keep on it and dont let her get away with it.

This is what a trainer told me to do with Dollie. If your cue doesnt work make her stop back up and then ask her again. She should get tired of backing up and just do it. Ask, tell, demand. Ask nicely for the behavior with the cue. Tell her a little harder with the same cue. Demand even harder with the same cue and possibly a bit more force. Dont stop without getting the behavior otherwise they win and they just figured out they are smarter than you.

I hope this helps. By the way Dollie is 13 and my mothers qtr mare who can act worse then Dollie at times about responding to cues is 32 but acts like a 6 year old. I had an 2 year old kiger filly who would respond very quickly and then Dollie who tries to get away without doing anything. It just depends on the horse, some seem to be born mature and some never mature, in my opinion.

[angelsdream]

My biggest concern now is do I keep riding and pushing Bella or do I just slack off and let her mature some more? Im not sure what to do, yes Im sure she'll eventually get with it if I keep on pushing her, but at what cost to me or her? and on the other hand if I slack off and give it a bit of time and I may be able to get a lot more accomplished later with less issues and a much better mind? MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, what to do?

[DianneC]

I know with Chinook in dressage we carried a dressage whip. If he wasn't listening he got a firm tap. Not a punishment, but a "I'm talking and you're not listening" tap. The cues remained just the same. Then, when he did try harder and did it, he'd get a big release, and got to just walk forward six steps or so.
With young horses you can't work them in the arena for very long, especially on the same subject. They just tune out. Its like a teacher who talks and talks on the same subjet at school. With Smoke I found out that he LOVED to run the cones. So as a reward for getting it right I'd first stop and make a huge fuss over him (yahoo! who's the man!) and let him soak for a minute. Then at the end of the lesson he'd get to run the cones. It helped keep his attention.

[angelsdream]

That's how Bella is, when I get on to her, she perks up and listens for a bit, then right back to the same. Saturdays ride was on the trail and that was the worst day we've had but we also rode with 2 horses that she's never rode with before also and she thinks she wants to meet and greet and hang out and not listen. Funny but I get softer responses out of her in the arena right now because Im assuming there is less distraction in there for her. On the trails or out, there are lots more things she'd rather be doing and looking at than paying attention to what I want!!! LOL Again from being young...Our arena sessions usually only last an hour - and I take the first 15 minutes just walking her and getting her to bend and losen up and get things stretched out before we start anything but I do have to get on to her in there also, just not as often.

Just wanted to add that she's not at all bad or bucking or being mean - just attention and focusing issues right now.

[Michelle Clarke]

Three year olds are not ready for a job - no collection, hard backing or bending, lead changes, etc. Working on things that are to taxing on the body will shut them down mentally quick. Loose rein, transitions, big circles and limited arena work will keep things positive. Lots of outside riding and obstacles to keep things interesting. An hour is really too long for most sessions. Do you do any ground work?

Also, don't bend cold muscles - stretch and flex warm ones only. Start out with a nice brisk walk and maybe some trot before anything else. Forward and relaxed before bends.

We start some of our guys at 3 but most at four. They are more mentally ready and their bodies are more capable. Don't worry about a work ethic now - worry about making things fun and stimulating...the rest will come! It would not hurt to only do two-three sessions a week right now with even giving some time off here or there. You might find she'll come back to work refreshed and ready!

[nrly]

wow, allot of info, and am glad to read all of this.

[angelsdream]

Right now she's only getting rode once or twice during the week at the arena and that was only her 2nd trail ride. Im not concentrating on collection, lead changes or anything that advanced - just basic give to the bit and follow her nose at a walk and trot on a lose rein.

[fantasykiger]

To be honest I have never ridden a 3 yr old Kiger Mustang. They are so goofy, I had them started with a trainer for 30 days under saddle introduction then brought them home to my sessions of ground work trainers didn't seem to have time for and time to grow up. Then took them back at 4 yrs old to start riding. Fantasy struggled with trainers and I was not riding her until her until she was 5 yrs old.
I just think you have to come up with a plan to make them think it is a good idea, Fantasy loves trail riding, but will even loose interest there if I don't pick up the pace now and again mix it up. Places to go people to see no lazy walking along. Fantasy hates the arena, but will tolerate arena sessions if I reward good work with time just standing still. I think Kigers are job horses they need a job or they loose interest.

[angelsdream]

Yea i didnt realize they were this mentally immature at this age - like I said, this is my first kiger raising, so will know from now on out. I've always had quarters horses and by 3 they were more ready, even tho still immature, just nothing like this. Guess they are like fine wines, they more age that's on them - the better they are