what should i do?

[El Indio Elegante]

I have a black paso fino gelding at home. He isn't that well gaited when he gaits. I could turn him into a western pleasure horse if i wanted and let him just trot b/c he gets nervous when he cortos. He isn't registered yet and we prolly won't register him. He has been broke so that i can get on his back but i pretty much have to train him. He will buck and he gets so nervous so easily because he was abused. He will never show in the PFHA shows. Do i turn him into a western pleasure horse or do i try to collect him into a gait? If i get him into a gait it will be a horrible gait and it's really unfortunate b/c he is one of the prettiest horses i've ever seen.

[CarolU]

I would start him over from ground ZERO. Start him in a program like Parelli or Clinton Anderson, retrain him that it is OK to trust people. With that comes a promise to him, that he'll never be abused again.

I've seen many horribly abused horses rescued this way. It IS worth it.

If you don't believe me, look at Parelli's site. The mare, Magic, that he rides was delivered to him hog tied and blind folded, having been given up on by over a dozen professional trainers. They sent her to Parelli to PROVE it couldn't be done. He rides her now in no tack and does reining and high school dressage moves with her.

You can save any horse...IF you want to bad enough.

[finolover]

keep on with his training and let the horse tell you later, it may be too soon to decide...jmho

[El Indio Elegante]

i've thought about it but u should of seen the difference between me riding him and handling him compared to the person that broke him b/c my mom was afraid of me getting hurt. He trust my mom and me so much but yet he still freaks out everyonce in awhile. I only had one episode today when i rode him and i was so happy. i've gotten him to go over a pole on the ground and walk around poles and cones without any problems. I've really considered parelli with him.

[Pasogirlz]

I think you have nothing to loose by taking Carols advice. :D He can only get better right?

[GeorgeGuns]

I fully agree with Carol U on this. One of the reasons he is bucking is a bad foundation, and it may well be affecting his gait too, ya never know. I'd do the Parelli thing, as it will a) start him over with confidence and b) further your bond - a horse should be safe first and gait second. Get him sound in mind first, then re-evaulate about what direction to go with him. BTW - I didn't answer the poll because I do think its not the right time to ask this. jmho :smile:

[Terry Wallace]

At this stage, you cannot truly say that if he gaits...it will be a "horrible" gait. I'd go for gait. I'd take my time and ask for gait all the time. Parelli or other programs would be a confidence builder for this horse. Don't expect "good" gait until he is totally comfortable about being ridden. Right now, he isn't comfortable...it will take time. Just work on it. Good gait needs a bit of "muscle memory" and this horse won't have that "yet"....YET ! How old is this horse?

[Tami Pinell]

Don't push him in either direction, Indio.... just ride, ride, ride.... become that partner with him that gets him enjoying the job of riding (esp. if he has had a bad start). Once he is your partner,, then ask him to gait and to work in a specfic area.... he will let you know if he is cut out for it...
everything horse works best starting with trust.

[RR]

I would let him do what he and you are comfortable with. (I am no way a trainer) If he does not gait well but has a nice smooth canter well then you could have him trained to do Western Pleasure. I don't necessarily believe in the all the stuff that the above mentioned trainers do. I tried a few techniques and they didn’t work me but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. For myself, I think I did more damage than good.. Good groundwork and patience to me is the foundation to a good, willing to work horse.

IMO WP is a under rated event in the Paso world and I think it is just as important to showcase the versatility of the breed.

[Iluv4beat]

I am sorry to start my membership this way but I felt inclined to say something about this posters information.

That is the craziest idea I have ever heard. Why would you tell someone that seeking professional training is not recommended? Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Monty Roberts, Bryan Newbert, Brad Cameron, they are all accredited trainers and I am sure have the experience in training methods that this horse needs. They have books and videos available on amazon.com. If she follows the schedules set by the trainers she should not have any problems. (ineedsapaso, you may have not been doing what you were supposed to and in the end the outcome was a confused horse.)

Nancy

[Pasomom]

I agree with CarolU and Terry, This horse could benefit from a "do over" effort. He needs to learn that you won't hurt him and he can trust you completely.

Also, he is probably too young to really be able to evaluate his gate. Sometimes it takes a while for the horse to get comfortable and find his "nitch" so to speak. It seems alot start out trotting and not gaiting all that well, and then one day....click....and off he goes! It may be becuase he has figured out what feels right, or that he has decided that he is comfortable and he relaxes...but don't give up on him gaiting ....start over with him on the ground and give him some time.......if he doesn't end up gaiting like you want, then you can let him do his thing, whatever that may be.

[El Indio Elegante]

he's already 6 i think he's almost 7.

[RR]

I would go with the starting from scratch. Can't hurt. :smile:

[El Indio Elegante]

i've done a couple of things that parelli does with his horses on him but if i do parelli i have to pay for everything and i just had to buy like all new reins and a bridle at the show so all i have is $11.I've got it so he will follow me on the ground with out a lead. He will also back when i back up. pretty much he's at the stage for the riding. I think half the problem is my mom won't let me work with him as much as i need to. I only get to go down to the barn for like a hour a day b/c she won't drive me and there are 3 different horses that i ride there so there's not that much time for him. Man i can't wait till i get my liscense in about a 1 year and 4 months.

[Pasomom]

Indio, was this horse broken at an earlier age, or is he just being broken and trained for the first time?

[El Indio Elegante]

he wasn't really broke until Shaw Laney got on him. A saddle had been thrown up on his back and a bit was put in his mouth at one point b/c he was sold to someone and they said that he had been broke and trained. Shaw trained him but never really taught him. He was only under training for like 2 months. then i rode him and he still freaked out alot so i gave him a break and am starting from scratch again. This time trying to use calmer methods with him.

[Pasomom]

Well, Good, He may be pretty set in his ways since he is that old, and it may take a little more patients on your part. I thought he was a much younger horse....2/3, but the same methods should work on him, just may take a little longer. Good luck, and don't give up on the gait. Think that comes with being relaxed and comfortable, which he obviously is not quite there yet.

[Trail Rider]

I agree with the idea of starting from scratch. You can not really evaluate his gait until you get control of him. In the meantime I would not let him trot while under saddle. If he is safe enough and wanted to trot and would not gait I would pull him down to a flat walk or move him up to a slow lope/canter. I would not reinforce the trot at all. Why have a paso that does not gait? (not talking about trocha).

[motorgypsy]

We agree - start from scratch and get to know him. It's not one or the other - doing Western does not mean not doing gait. We did trail riding, poles and barrels and endurance on our spooky mare and all of them helped her grow into the absolute best gaited best ride you could ever ask for. Just don't push for gait. All we had to do was just a little lift on the reins to get gait and I mean a LITTLE lift. I don't know if you use a bit or a bosal but all our horses but one love the Myler short shank wide low port or comfort snaffle mouthpiece and it sets the head just right for gait with basically no pressure on the mouth. Two fingers snugness on the curb chain. Good luck and be safe first of all and last - be safe.