Hi Jacquorrell! Try the "Giddy-up-rope" ,as described in "From my hands to yours".
I had a great success with it with a mare that had been used for children, she had given up on herself. After a Join-up and some desensibilisation, I introduced the rope to her, when riding. As soon as she gave some forwardmotion I stopped stimulating her and gave her a good rub. After 2 or 3 rides she didn't need it any more. She is curious now about what "we" are going to do next and there is no more reluctance now.

thanks for your reply, i have tried the giddy up rope without much success but maybe i wasnt using it properley, i will give it another go.

Make sure yoúr reins are quite loose while he is learning and rejoice when you get any tiny forward movement. Be patient and it will happen.

The release is the most important part. Make it comfortable to be with the other horses so make sure you ride 'still' when with the others and 'ask' with the giddy-up when he lags behind. Be careful that you do not get a forward motion and then block him with your hands. He may also be more active if in front. Don't keep kicking him. Ask quietly, then mean what you say to get the response and release as soon as you get it. Good luck and have fun!

thank you all for your comments, i will keep persevering.

Hi Miriam
I am thoroughly enjoying Teighan: he is a lovely Arab fellow. I used the giddy up rope with him (actually an old scarf worked) and I had pretty good results with it. It was funny, everyone was so skeptical, and then it worked so WELL!!

But, overall, Teighan just seems unhappy in the ring. It breaks my heart, so I never ride him in the ring for long. I would rather hang out with him there instead, which he really likes. Teighan always puts his ears back when he is asked to go forward, even after the giddy up rope. The other day I did some low jumps with him, and he seemed much happier. On the trail, he is a crazy rocket and just wants to fly, but I find him so spooky, that I don't want to let him go full out in case he spooks and I come off at the gallop. He seems to be two extremes: pokey and bored in the ring, and blustery, snorting,spooky Arab fellow on the trail.

What do you think I should work on?

Rainy
I know this question is aimed at Miriam, who I am sure will give you very positive ideas to your problem. I would like to make one observation about your horse. It seems to me he is telling you in no uncertain terms that he is bored stiff in the arena and has happy feet on the trail.

Since he liked to jump you might want to setup an obstacle course for him to practice with in the arena. I would do any warm up outside the arena then go in and take on the obstacles. You will have a happier horse as well as a smarter horse.

I have a Peruvian Paso the I show and I very seldom take him into the arena so when we go to a show he is fresh. I also have him go through a serpentine using orange traffic cones ( 5 or 7 cones) Part of showing my horse in performance classes require this maneuver so I want him to be very good in going through the cones but not get bored with the training. I only practice that maneuver two or three times per training session.
Good luck with your horse and I am sure you will find the sweet spot between the arena and trail riding

Cheers

Hi Rainy and Dennis,
Arabs are so much fun to work with! When I read your story, Rainy, I'd like to remember how old Teighan is, did you have him checked by a vet or chiropractor?Do you only have problems at a walk in the arena? Some back- or pelvis-or joint-issue might make it unpleasant for him to make short turns there. I agree with Dennis, that making arenawork interesting is a great idea, but there must be a reason why he prefers going straight to making turns. Being on a crazy rocket on the trail is not the safest condition to put yourself in, my experience is that you can find trust and fun together and take both wherever you go with your arabian friend. Maybe you could ask a professional rider to mount him in the arena, so you can see ( make a video!) if there is any difference between the 2 riders. Of course you should choose a rider, that is willing to respect your choice of non violent work with Teighan. Please let us know how you're doing!
Miriam

Hi Miriam and Dennis

This horse cracks me up. He is so stubborn when he wants to be, and he knows exactly what he is doing. I really have to chuckle when others are riding him (he isn't mine, huh) and they fall for his antics or get sucked in by him. I have to say I do love that he is mischievous. And then he looks at me on the sidelines with that innocent FACE!! What a character!

I am so grateful that I am learning how to respond to him without frustration from you guys.

Teighan is around 10, I think. Yes, I think I will ask a chiropractor to look at him. He doesn't seem to have any pain or stiff/sore spots when i massage him, which makes me think, now, that Teighan is just bored out of his mind, as you say, Dennis. So, I think I will take him to the outdoor arena, get through the huffy puffy snortiness, and then do some low obstacles. I think he might really like the cone stuff too.

I have a great story to share about my daughter's horse, Miriam. She has started paraequestrian. I would like Monty to see it, once I have written it. Where should I post it.

thanks Dennis and Miriam. It is so nice to be able to write on here. No one I know it horsy!!
Rainy

Hi Rainy,
I'd love to read the srtory about your daughter's horse, why don't you make a new post and then Debbie, Monty's daughter, could show it to Monty, when he's at home. If you want to be sure it has her attention( which I'm sure it has !), you could click the support-button at the left side of the Uni-page, I know Debbie reads it.
About Teighan, try to see all you do with him as a learnigexperience, horses have no ego, and we humans should not put ours in too. This way you'll not be in his way when he starts understanding what you ask of him. Make what you don't want uncomfortable, make what you do want comfortable, he'll figure out what's more rewarding for him.
Have fun,
Miriam