Claire is back home

Claire is back home. Long story short, I went up to see her at the horse trainer and I was very dissappointed to see her in the pen with no water. All the horses had no water. I was resigned to the fact that people do not care for horses like I do, so I thought I would see what he had taught her. He got Claire out and moved her around on the lunge line, demanding her respect by getting her to yield her hindquarters. He then rode her, trotting and posting very fast. I already could and did that very well and then he tried and succeeded in getting her to pick up her left lead. I got on her after that, and I was very surprised what a different horse she was. She was very stressed and I could not get her to slow down. She was very nervous and reacting to my legs very quickly and not in a good place. I got off her, thanked him and told him that she was visibly stressed and nervous. I could always get Claire to slow down before, and in fact, I was training her for Western Pleasure. I left, went home and got my horse trailer and went back and picked her up 2 weeks early. I knew I couldn't leave her there any longer. I am a firm believer in horses learning in an optimal atmosphere- just a little stress to push them forward, but not to much that they are hyper sensitive and nervous. I am glad to have her back home. I have been riding her lots-- about 3 times a week, and I just love this horse so much. I went back to the clicker training and now I click when she picks up the right lead on the lunge line. I have been able to get to take the left lead a few times, but I am going to have to go back to the basics and strenghten her shoulder and weak side. I so wish she was naturally leaded, but it is obvious that she is so strong in the left lead, that she never wants to pick up the right lead. This will make a better rider out of me and I have ordered two videos to help me with this problem.

Annie-- I have ridden her about 5 times now and Hillary has ridden her once. She needs lots of work and showed some resistance the other day when she did not want to move forward. I had to pop her, and then she moved off my leg. I realized that I do not have the time to train her, especially with Claire needing so much work on the right lead. I have put her for sale and hopefully I can find a good home for her that will take her to her potential.