Maverick - Returning to His Old Tricks

I came to the conclusion last night that I have to either send Maverick back to a trainer or go in search of a trainer for ME! Maverick is falling in to his old habits and he's starting to make me uncomfortable again.

Mike and I discussed Maverick for some time last night. He's a good horse but he doesn't match my personality. I think with constant riding he'd be just fine. Unfortunately with all the wet weather, riding is impossible. And once I get on, all we do is walk around in circles. Talk about boring for both of us.

Maverick is the type that has to be challenged ALL the time! So I'm struggling with what to do. I'm not sure how to correct some of the bad behaviors and I don't want to be in the same boat I was last year at this time.

I've decided that I'm going to pull Zeke out tonight. He hates being in the mud and you can tell his personality is changing. Maverick is beating him up and all he can do is lurch through the mud to try and get away. I wasn't sure how to introduce Zeke but I guess I'll just stick him in the big herd and see how it goes. Anything will be better than having to deal with mean Maverick.

Then Maverick can be by himself and consider the options. I don't care if he's bored. He'll have to figure it out... in the mud.

We compared Maverick to Dude. Dude is pushy and bossy but he'll stand for being reprimanded. Maverick is pushy, bossy, and will not tolerate punishment. I have to treat him like I do an arabian but that means, how do I reprimand him? I can reprimand Zeke by swatting him and telling him know. He understands (smart boy that he is). Maverick has an ornery streak. I just have to figure out how to manage that ornery streak. That's easy...keep him busy, exept I don't know how.

So I guess I'm going to go in search of a trainer so that he/she can school me with Maverick as my mount. I think that'll be the only way I can keep Maverick. Otherwise I'm going to have to look more seriously at my options. Unfortunately, now is not the time to sell, especially a green broke, grade sorrel gelding with front legs that paddle when he trots and has an attitude of a toddler.