Not learning like I'd like.

Steel has to be shown everything many times for him to accept them. You think he sees and accepts things but he really doesn't. You can see that in this video. We work the tarp until it gets nice, leave it and come back and we have to start over again.

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[SAR-fo]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have been working mine on the ground in the roundpen to listen to me asking him to just walk and not plow around at full speed then stop and snort really hard like a dragon. He is now dropping his head while walking or at a slow rack which seems to indicate he is more relaxed now. He rides much better too...not so short strided like he was when I first got him a year ago. He is 8 now.😊

[KerryDior]

Great educational resource. Tim Thanks for sharing your knowledge much appreciated ❤

[paintlove]

Wow, that went quickly now
Respect 👌

[SAR-fo]

Love it when you have gaited horses in training!!

[ThreeRingRanch]

Almost looks like he's learned this gets him out of working so he goes into I'm so scared mode. With a newer rider this would be terrifying. Unless he's completely unstarted...

[italiangirl]

New subscriber here, always wanted a horse but never have had one but I really enjoy watching your videos

[sherw]

Perhaps he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer?

[payntpot]

This raises some interesting questions in my mind.
Is it a function of his brain, or is it eyesight and brain combined? Is it things he has to walk over, or is it also objects he has to walk past? (Ah, you answered my question!!!) Has there been an experience in the past where he stepped on something which frightened or hurt him, such as a snake, the ground collapsing under foot, a bog or similar? Perhaps he has difficulty on focusing on what is underneath him until the last moment because his concentration is elsewhere and suddenly, he thinks he is about to step on danger? Has he ever experienced uneven terrain? Was he born and bred in a stable or small level paddock? Has he ever been in a herd situation?
Could he have a learning difficulty? If we accept some humans are "wired differently", surely all other animals can potentially suffer a similar fate? If he missed some normal experiences and the connections were not made when he was born, perhaps they may never build along neuro pathways?
What makes you think he will eventually be a good horse? Have you struck others like this? It seems a bit like Groundhog Day in horse form? If he is constantly second guessing what is under his feet, will he ever accept new experiences? I wonder how he would cope with something like crossing over a swing bridge out mustering, with 5 or 6 years of riding under his belt?
I would be tempted to turn him out in steep hill country with a few other horses and let him learn to navigate rough footing . I am a firm believer in letting horses make their own mistakes without having to worry about having to balance a rider at the same time, especially when they are newly backed. Not carrying a human also means that if they trip, slip, or fall, they can never blame a human (hence losing trust in a rider). Why would anyone want to trust their life riding a horse which has not learnt to navigate terrain safely, at different paces?
I will be interested to watch his progression.

[SAR-fo]

Seems that a lot of gaited horses are never allowed to just flat walk...my younger walker/SSH is like that. It is like he is scared to walk when I ask him like he is going to get in trouble . I have worked so long establishing a brake pedal with mine...i guess it is an anxiety issue that he had before I had him?? Dunno. Have you experienced this with gaited horses?

[laurenamrhein]

I feel like he seems really anxious. He’s a good horse for sure but just a nervous Nellie. Maybe he’ll always need a confident rider too just for the leadership