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Discussion on Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde gelding | |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 4:52 pm: Hi,I have a 7 1/2 yr old half Arab, very quiet, good mannered on the ground. He's been under saddle for only 2 years. First yr. I had him with a wonderful dressage trainer. We did some training level tests at shows. By the third show we got 3 out of 4 blues. Then due to time/money factors I took him out of training and didn't show. For the past year we've been doing a lot of trail riding. He starts off well behaved, a bit lazy at the walk, nice energetic trot and canter, but listening to me all the time. So what's the problem? He becomes another horse when heading back to the barn. He pulls, is very strong. When cantering I must be very careful not to give an inch or he'll take off at a gallop. At the trot, he pulls very hard and its difficult to bring him back to a walk. When he finally walks he will break into a trot so its a constant fight home. We have many different trails to ride on. The farther from home we go, the worse his behavior becomes once headed in that direction. He begins to relax once we're closer to the barn. I use a running martingale because on more than one occasion, without the martingale, he's reared when his efforts to rush home were thwarted. I've had to dismount twice (I'm a fairly experienced rider) because I couldn't control him. His behavior is better if ridden daily but unfortunately this is not possible. I do get him out on average 5 days per week. He lives in a huge outside pen, and if a day or two goes by without riding he's turned out in a field to gallop and buck if he so chooses. Any suggestions to keep my gelding the good natured well mannered horse going away from, and towards home would be greatly appreciated. |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 7:46 pm: Hello Pam,My gelding behaves almost identical to yours. I don't have any suggestions but will be anxiously awaiting responses to your situation. My gelding is 5 and an awesome horse, except for this ONE problem as you described. We went on a 12 mile ride and he was perfect, except when it came time to turn around and head home. Fighting for the lead and my arms ached holding him back. I finally got off him and walked him a ways and then he was fine...but I didn't dare trot with him the 6 miles home. A very long ride! Denise |
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2000 - 11:14 am: Hi Everyone, Denise and I are waiting for someone who might be able to help us. Please read our previous messages. Thanks! |
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2000 - 1:35 pm: Hello both of you,I don't know if my suggestions will help - I had a horse much like that. He was fine if ridden out with company [usually!], but very difficult if taken out by himself. Once he thought it was time to go home, the only pace he would consider was flat out and, if checked, dancing, jogging, etc. I eventually got him out of it by taking him out for very short rides to start with. The minute he started to get tense, I turned him round and walked home. Perhaps it was only after 10 minutes. I would only go that far until he was relaxed. Then I went a bit further, then a bit further, until we could go out for an hour's ride and stay calm and relaxed, out and back. But this took about 6 months. I read another tip which was to circle the horse every time he starts fighting for the lead, jogging, etc. Circle back, a fair size circle, trying to insist on a walk - not tight little circles. The horse can get a bit fed up with this, and calm down for this reason. Be prepared to have lots of time on your hands, and maybe don't take him too far out for the first try. Hope this might help a little. |
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2000 - 3:18 pm: Hi Alexa,The first tip probably won't help me. He acts bad whether alone or with company, plus he never starts acting badly until we actually are in the homeward direction. RE: The second tip, I did something like this on my last ride: when he started mis-behaving I turned him around (facing away from home) and made him stand still, or did the "tight little circle" routine. I'll try the bigger circle and actually go away from home for a minute or two. Also on my last ride, when trotting towards home I kept him on a very tight rein (but not pulling on his mouth) and did half-halts, just closing my hand around the reins, every few strides. This actually did prevent him from pulling and getting away from me. So maybe I'm beginning to solve my own problem, but I suppose I won't know for some time that he's actually learning not to be bad! Any other advice would be greatly appreciated! |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2000 - 1:32 am: Hey Pam, you got a response! :-)Thanks Alexa. The second suggestion I tried but only in a tight circle and I felt like I was barrel racing! He came out of that circle in a dynamic lope headed for home. I have heard to take him in the opposite direction and make him canter if possible. Gee, but not ready to try that yet. I do think shorter rides would help. I will try that to start. Thanks! |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2000 - 12:56 pm: I've been reading and thinking about your problems. The following are just ideas.......I was wondering if the horse pulling and becoming progressively stronger could be from some discomfort or pain. For example, from teeth which have not been rasped, or checked carefully. I’ve just been reading a case of a hook on the lower jaw at the back which caused the horse terrible pain if asked to flex, or when any pressure was put on the bit. Naturally, the horse ran away from the pain. Any tack that worries him – a saddle that pinches, a DrOp nosebank that is too low – all these things can be a problem or part of the problem. Sometimes there can be a conformational problem which has a bearing on the horse’s behaviour. How is his back? Try using a milder bit, such as a thick German snaffle or rubber snaffle fitted slightly higher in the mouth; this is an effective solution with many horses. A horse can also get “nappy” and want to run home if he has lost confidence or feels insecure; it may be stubbornness or bad temper because he is bored or tired. So many possibilities! When a horse is a “puller”, he often has incorrect muscle development. The muscle on the underside of the neck is often too well-developed as he goes round on the forehand with head in the air; he will therefore lack the curve of muscle on the top of the neck found in horses which accept the rider’s contact and move forwards with the impulsion generated from behind. Also, his hocks and quarters could tend to trail out behind instead of being more underneath their body, ready to provide the impulsive energy. He will often therefore have a weak back or weak hindlegs. If he is accustomed to this way of going, he will find it difficult to slow down and work in a more efficient outline with his quarters underneath him and accepting the rider’s contact. He therefore needs regular schooling to ensure that he stays supple and obedient to your aids, and is generally a more pleasurable ride. Taking a pull, then releasing, then taking a pull, and releasing again and so on is definitely recommended, as you are doing, and helps in steadying some horses. Also, make sure you really “sit” in the saddle, with a straight back, and that you keep your legs on quietly. It is a good idea to dismount occasionally and lead the horse from the ground. Letting the horse graze a little can do no harm, might relax it, then you can remount after a while and start to walk quietly on a long rein. He’s not fed too much, is he, for his exercise levels? Just some ideas - hope something may help. Alexa |
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Posted on Friday, Feb 18, 2000 - 3:51 pm: Thanks, Alexa, for taking the time on my question.In my case (I can't speak for Denise) his teeth have been floated, he's got good confirmation, tack fits and he has good basic training. But there is one thing you said which might account for some of his behavior - insecurity. If I go over the same trail a few days in a row he's much better heading for home, stays pretty relaxed. If a take a trail he's not as familiar with, he acts up a lot more once we head for home. Perhaps insecurity is playing a role, I never thought of that. I just thought he was "bad", wanting to get home ASAP. Anyway, I've been doing the circling thing and frequent half-halts at the trot and canter, and he is improving. Denise, how about you? |
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Posted on Monday, Feb 21, 2000 - 7:52 pm: Hi there,YES! I agree completely. The insecurity sounds like my situation too. On our last trail ride, (when he was the worst) we were on a new trail and 6 miles from home. He is insecure anyway and really does not like the lead going away from home. BUT, as soon as we turn around he wants the lead. So far this has not be a terribly horrible problem, but I can see it getting gradually worse and just want to nip it in the bud, so to speak. He is scheduled to go for training in March and I think teaching him to respond better will help as well and to gain trust in me rather than other horses. We have a small trail that circles the property and I can take him on that with absolutely no problems. I am sure it is because he knows he is still close to home and feels comfort in that. Great thoughts! Thanks. Denise |
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Posted on Friday, Mar 3, 2000 - 4:22 pm: Hi,I had a mare that did this exact same thing. One question I have is, "What is being done to your horse once you get home?" Obviously, if they are being fed, groomed, anything they like & makes them feel more secure; this same thing needs to be done while riding. I finally helped my mare concur the problem by bringing food (a little hay - not treats fed by hand) and a couple grooming brushes along. Then on the ride away from home, I would frequently -about 3-5 times- depending on the length of the ride. Stop, dismount, let her eat the grass or feed her the hay, pet & brush her, comfort her, etc. I'd let her do this until she was calm for a few minutes. On the way home, I only did this once & NEVER let her go any faster than a walk when we were within 1 mile of home. (I use this as a general rule of thumb with all of my horses now - nothing faster than a walk is allowed w/in 1 mile of the barn.)This worked like a charm and much faster and more effectively than turning her in circles and making her go back the other way. That just made her more frustrated, insecure and wanting to RUN home. I'm not sure if this will work for you and your geldings, but I thought I would suggest it in case it is the solution for you, too. Oh, another thing I did do that is similar to the circle technique, was turn her around and walk back away from home everytime I felt her tense up and want to go into a faster gait than I wanted her to, on the way home. Also, remember, your horse will be able to tell if you are feeling anxious, by the way you ride & talk. Try to remain as calm and under control as possible. Best of Luck, Julie |
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Posted on Friday, Mar 3, 2000 - 4:43 pm: Thanks for the info. I've been working hard on my gelding and he is improving, but still would rather run than walk towards home. Riding out he can be on a nice loose rein, on the way home I can't do that. Have to take a firmer feel but being careful not to pull. We do walk the last mile back but he'll break into a trot and then I'll turn him around and make him go in a circle or away from the barn for a while. He also will take advantage - for example, a bike might pass us as we're heading away from the barn - no problem. If a bike passes us heading towards the barn, he'll use the opportunity to try to bolt!He is a very "food oriented" horse and maybe the treats out in the field will help. I'll give it a try! Thanks. |
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Posted on Friday, Mar 3, 2000 - 6:57 pm: Even though I've trained my own horses, I am in no way a professional trainer, so I'll give you my thoughts as they would pertain to my horse in a similar situation. I ride a powerful 16 hand quarterhorse. I've had him since he was 3-1/2 months old and so he's had tons of groundwork with emphasis on him being a safe, respectful partner and buddy. I trail ride alot, many times by myself where Cash has no one to depend upon but me. Ninety-five percent of the time he is cool, calm and collected, but occasionally when it's cool and breezy he gets a "bee in his bonnet" on the way home and wants to rush.I try to keep in mind Ray Hunt's teachings to "make the wrong things difficult and the right things easy." If he's acting silly, I'll mix it up, i.e. do small circles and try to have a loose rein on the way out of the circle. If he comes blazing out of the circle, we'll repeat (changing directions) until he finally gets the idea that the loose rein is a reward if he slows down. Other times, if he's wanting to prance, I'll ask him to back up with some impulsion. When we finish backing, I'll make sure the reins are loose and let him stand there a few moments to think about it. If he speeds up again once I cue him to move out, I'll repeat the backing and standing still. Again, basically making it difficult for him to speed up, but offering that loose rein for the calmer behavior. Occasionally in more open areas, I might make use of his higher energy, i.e. ask him to pick up a soft feel, do flying lead changes, diagonals, slightly bring his head to the side and asking for bends (or whatever exercises you might do with your horse). Pretty soon it's easier to walk and get his mind back on me. (I probably wouldn't do the latter, however, if I felt my horse was close to being out of control.) I also probably would not get off his back when he was being wacky unless I really felt in danger. That could translate to him as a reward for bad behavior. As Julie said, I'd keep it at a walk for at least a mile away from home ... with as loose a rein as possible, giving him nothing to pull against. It's also very important to try to remain calm yourself since they can pick up so easily on what we feel. I know this is easier said than done but hope it helps a little. Donna |
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Posted on Friday, Mar 3, 2000 - 10:18 pm: Pam,You definitely have to think of your safety first. It's not going to do you or your horse any good if you get hurt, so I feel you were right about getting off if he was rearing on a paved road. Horses are so different ... they each have their own personalities, and at times it's hard to figure out what to do. That's why I basically limited my response to how I handle Cash when he's being a little "buggy". It could be, as indicated earlier, that you horse is a little insecure. Perhaps being with another calm horse who isn't bothered by the ride home would help, too. Just another thought ... Donna |
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 4, 2000 - 10:56 am: Arab geldings! Don't you love them? They don't get tired--can't wear them out. And you can't just sit up there and be a passenger either--you have to ride those boys ALL the time. Whew. Mine are "less" of a handful if I feed them low-octane hay (oat or grass) instead of alfalfa, give them NO sweet feed, and very little, if any, grain. I like many of the suggestions you've received. John Lyons has a whole segment in his book regarding curing barn sourness--more or less the same thing that everyone else has told you. Here's one more little tip given to me by a very, very experienced rider: when you get home, don't unsaddle him for several hours; in other words, he will stop associating being home with stopping "work," and thus, won't be in such a hurry to get there. Good luck. (They get better (somewhat) with age.) |
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 4, 2000 - 8:46 pm: wow, alot of good insight since I checked this sight last.My gelding, is doing much, much better. We have taken shorter rides and much more often. He is very good. I have also stopped giving him a bit of grain after our rides as a reward. It dawned on me, that maybe the rush to get back to the barn was the treat! Right now he is up at the trainers, and I am hoping that consistant riding and better listening will help for the longer rides. Denise |
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 4, 2000 - 11:43 pm: Hi Eva,Yes, my gelding NEVER gets tired. The more he goes, the more he wants to go! And he only eats timothy - no alfalfa, no grain. Today I rode and it was quite windy here. He was a handful but didn't do anything really bad. When he acted up we did shoulder-in or leg-yields, or the always useful circling. He's going on 8; I can't wait til he's 18! I'm going to look for John Lyon's book - thanks for that tip. Denise, I'm glad your guy is improving. Pam |
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Posted on Monday, Mar 6, 2000 - 3:09 pm: You've been given some good advice, I have to agree with Donna and Ray Hunt. I've used this method for many different horses and it works like a charm. Though, it takes a long time the first ride that you start this method. First of all, you should try your best to not dismount because once you dismount you are rewarding them for their behaviour. Regardless of how much you think your horse "likes" being ridden - he is looking most forward to being dismounted, brushed down and put back in his cosey paddock!I know that it is scarey sometimes where they act up, but they are very smart animals & may get smart to the fact that you will dismount in certain areas if they act a certain way. If you can ride it through, you have won. If you can't, they may take that as a win for them & the next time will go to further lengths to receive the same reaction - you may very well create even more of a monster. They have to learn that you are in control & you run the show & they need to trust that. As far as barn sour - never run home, not trot, lope or gallop, always walk at least a mile, if not more, especially if you already have this problem. Once you have brought your horse down to a walk and are headed for home, release the pressure on the bit and pretend like you are going to walk home on a loose rein at an easy relaxed walk. As soon as they take advantage and speed up their pace, pick up your reins, stop and keep the pressure until they back up and several strides. Once you relieve the pressure from the bit, they should stand still, not walk forward. As soon as they walk forward out of the backing, stop again and repeat. This is very time consuming for some horses, you may be there for more than an hour backing up and standing still. As your horse learns not to walk out of the back up, he needs to learn that he stands completely still when you release the pressure on the bit. As soon as he steps out of it, back him again and start from square one. Once he has finally learned to back, stop and stand until you ask him to go forward, go forward and as soon as he tries to speed the pace, stop, back and start all over. The first time you try this, you will become fairly frustrated, it requires every ounce of patience you have, because an extremely barn sour horse may take hours to get home the first day. Just prepare yourself for that knowing that once this day is over and you've won the battle, the next time will only take half the time and so on and so forth! Do not feed him oats or treats as soon as you get back to the barn, his reward is the dismount and turnout. I don't believe in using food as a "reward" anyways, what happens if you ask your horse to do something he doesn't want to do and you intice him with food & he isn't hungry??? It happens! If it is possible, when you get finished your trail ride, once you get to the barn, don't finish your ride. Do some lessons and ride him as hard as you normally would in the arena after your trail ride, then put him away (once he's properly cooled down). Also, the other suggestion of not putting him away right away when you get to the barn is a good tool as well. Dismount, and tie him, saddled up still and let him paw til' his hearts content. Another good method is this, if there is an open field somewhere away from home that you can do some lesson work, lead changes, circles, side passes etc. Where the footing is good to train on, ride your horse to that spot, do your training & as soon as you are completely satisfied with how he's worked for you, dismount, loosen the cinch & lead the good boy home! Often, we ride our horses too long when we are trying to train them something new. When your horse is learning something new, do your regular routine and go over everything you'd like to get in his exercise and then, before you quit him, teach him the "new" thing last & once he does it resonabley well & you know he's understood exactly what you've asked him to do, stop him and sit on him quietly while he stands still on a loose rein, then dismount, loosen the cinch and cool him by leading him at a walk around the arena or back to the barn. Your horse will learn that once he's done what you've asked him to do, he will get the ultimate reward, the end of the ride. |
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 7, 2000 - 12:47 am: It's been raining here for the past two days - we NEVER get rain (Arizona)! But I really like your "back up and stand" plan. When I can get out again I'll go on a short ride so that I can spend a long time coming home. Thanks. |
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 7, 2000 - 4:06 am: Another good tip, when you get your horse home don't unsaddle and groom right away.Go into the arena and work a bit, after a while the horse won't rush home because he knows he will work in the arena. Believe it or not, it does work! |
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 7, 2000 - 9:25 am: My only suggestion is the same for any horse and rider - never go faster than a walk when you are pointing towards home. A short canter can very quickly turn into an out of control gallop - I've seen it happen too many times. Do all your faster work on the way out and use the return journey to cool and relax the horse. Eventually you may even be able to stroll home on a loose rein! |
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 19, 2000 - 7:05 pm: What an excellent discussion. One thing to add: Make sure you are not rewarding your nappy horse by ending the ride when he brings you back to the barn. You may not be able to control the return to the stable, but you can decide to go out again!Two years ago my boy loved to thunder back to the barn. It got so bad I was afraid to ride him outside so I stuck on the farm property and in view of the owner's home. (The circles became part of the 'fun' for him.) One day I found us galloping home (heavy sigh) and I realized that I actually felt quite balanced and secure in the saddle... and I was actually fedup with this nonsense. So not only did we gallop to the barn, we galloped PAST the barn and kept on galloping until I decided we would stop (and I made sure I decided this only after my horse asked to slow down a few times). This has never happened since. OK, so you don't have to do this at speed, but the basic principle of not ending the ride is valid. As to the safety issue - If you don't feel safe and it is safe to get off, then GET OFF. You can train your horse another day. |
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 19, 2000 - 10:35 pm: Hi Cheryl, that's a neat story! I've been doing something sort of similar! Not at the gallop, I must say but at a quiet walk (which, thanks to everyone's advice, my gelding is getting much better at - there's enuf time for galloping on the outward leg). Anyway, what I've been doing is a lot of loop trails around the neighborhood, head toward home, then pick another loop that heads away from home. This way he's never quite sure when we're REALLY going home. This is a great thing for his head, I think.He did have a major temper tantrum the other day -- not even off the barn property. I was riding him in the arena but had taken him away from his afternoon meal. He started off fine, but became more and more misbehaving, (bucking, rearing etc.) Luckily it was a safe environment and I was able to stay on and control him. He has NEVER done anything like that in the arena. But he REALLY likes to eat. He truly is a strange horse -- most often very quiet and well behaved, very athletic and affectionate, but once in a while - look out! |
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 5, 2000 - 12:00 am: Hi Pam and Denise. WOW! What great info your getting. I agree with all of it. Each horse is different and different strokes for different folks. I've used John Lyons training methods for years now with great results. The reward of less work for good behavior is a great idea and can be done anywhere. Simple circles repeated, backing up are all things I've done. It does sound a little like they are barn sour and realize when they get home they get a goody or the saddle comes off and the day is done. You might take a moderate ride and finish with a lesson in the round pen, on the ground or just ride your horse past your barn a good ways. He may begin to realize that just because your going home doesn't mean the day is done and won't be in such a hurry. *OR* He may get the idea that going in the direction of the barn doesn't mean we're going to the barn or the horse trailer for that matter. |
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Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2000 - 12:24 pm: I am glad I found this forum. I just started riding my mare since she lost her foal 3 weeks ago :(. I bought her from the track last Spring and only had ridden her for a few months back then. She was a little barn sour but fine at my trainers (with me riding). She is ok w/other horses just not alone. She is really bad about leaving the barn. It all starts as soon as I get on and try to get her going away from the barn. She puts up a little fight but not too bad at this point. I start "working" her, large figure eights, nothing major, she is still very green. She tries to go quicker in the direction of the barn, I can deal with that. But just this AM she tried to whirl towards the gate and ended up going butt first sideways for about 50 feet. I turned her away from the gate and she does these little rears, snorting and stomping. I call it a sissy fit! I got her back to thinking about the cavelletis and she behaved, I wanted to end on a good note. As soon as I turned her towards the barn, at a walk of course, she wouldn't quit the whole jigging and half rearing thing. My main focus was to keep her at a walk, although it was sort of sideways. I will try the circling exercise. She is a big girl, 17 hands. She goes in a rubber snaffle and her tack fits well and her teeth have been done, complete xrays done last Spring etc.....She is just a brat and at this point, not much fun to ride! Any other ideas are welcome! ~barbara |
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Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2000 - 10:36 am: A number of years ago I leased a horse that behaved exactly like yours. She would choose a point on the trail going away from the barn that she would "pretend" to be afraid of, refuse to go forward, rear, spin around, act generally nutty.With this particular horse I could not use a crop - she'd explode. I rode her with a martingale to control her rearing. But to get her past these temper tantrum points I would actually get off and lead her past, praise her like heck and give her treats when she walked past the "terror" point, then get back on. Soon she learned that no matter how bad she behaved, she was NOT going back to the barn at these points, even if I had to lead her quite a way. I know that many people say you should never get off when a horse is misbehaving. I didn't get off because I was afraid - I got off because it was the expediate way to get on with my ride! But with this particular horse it was the answer. These episodes gradually went away and after several months she was a pleasure to ride and was so much fun on the trails thatI even wanted to buy her, but the owner said no. My heart was broken! The bottom line is that every horse is different. What works with one may not work with another. Getting off and leading was THE answer for my leased horse. My Dr. Jeckle/Mr Hyde gelding is a different issue. I got off him because of fear for my life!! (Luckily, not too often is he THAT bad). For those of you who gave me advise on him, I'm glad to report that he is MUCH better, I used many of your suggestions and although he still is way more eager on the homeward trip than the outward trip, his behavior has improved although we're still working on spooking/bolting issues. Also he still likes to pull and take off when trotting and cantering on the homeward leg, so now I'm into trot/halt, canter/halt.... it seems like a zillion times. |
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Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2000 - 12:55 pm: Hi PamelaGlad you got things sorted out with your horse. My mare is even worse when I dismount. I tried that and she just keeps backing and backing, if I ask her to go forward too hard she will rear. I think because she is so big she was really man handled (pardon the expression) at the track. I am thinking that maybe someone behind her with a lunge whip, non-threatening unless she refuses to go forward. And just use the whip as little as possible, just a slow wave (not at her), a little faster if she doesn't listen. I don't even go far from the barn and she is bad. Only like 200 feet!!! I haven't even tried trail riding her alone. She doesn't spook or act scared, she just wants to get back to the barn...NOW! ~barbara |
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Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2000 - 5:29 pm: I'm not a trainer, but if she were my horse at this point I would probably start on the ground with her in a halter and a chain over her nose. Then I'd go for walks around the barn on a loose lead. For the first few walks I wouldn't try to leave the barn area at all. Just walk around and make sure she's obedient (halt when you halt, doesn't rush, doesn't shoulder into you etc.) Then I'd try to wander a bit further each day. A sharp pull and immediate release on the chain if she misbehaves, otherwise no pressure on the chain. I'd continue taking her for longer and longer walks further away each day if possible until she doesn't seem as anxious. |
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Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2000 - 8:24 pm: hmmmmm.......slow and boring training.May just be the answer! I will give it a whirl! It's just so annoying that she is fine alone if I trailer her away from the barn. I suppose it is because she has no idea where "home" is. Thanks for the input Pamela! :) ~barbara |
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Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2000 - 11:01 pm: Well Barbara, I bought a recently gelded gelding about 7 years ago. Had beenstalled up and supposedly had not left a training barn in Alabama for 4 years as a stallion from the ages of 2-6 years. Let me talk to you about the rears and the sours. There is hope. He has walked in more circles then I would like to remember but they do help. I feel it is important to remember two things, maybe three. Patience, perseverance and the willingness to except very small advancements. Many of my rides were no longer then 5 minutes. Many times I was satisfied with one step away from the barn on his own, good boy and back in his stall, of course I was back on him in 5 minutes for my next ride.I believe one day I had about 30 rides a little boys dream. There were other rides that lasted well beyond 30 minutes just to get one step away from the barn or a turn of his head then back in his stall. All I asked was he do it on his own. Of course this was my first horse and I had to learn a lot real fast. So after I taught him how to rear up and flip over, get me off his back and then run back to the barn more times than I would like to admit. I learned about teaching him to give to the bit. So since I knew he was comfortable with me on his back while standing in front of his stall that seemed to be a good place to start and there we stood. With pressure on one side of the bit until he learned it wasn't going to kill him to turn his head. After that I would keep his head turned until he learned it wasn't going to kill him to turn his whole body. From there we moved on. As things progressed and we moved out on the trails there were places that he felt were a far enough distance from the barn. Here is where the circles come in. I would ask for a step further he would balk and we would walk in a circle. I would ask again and if he balked we would walk in two circles and so on and so on. just remember the three rules. I would like to say that last summer I had a 11 year old with brittle bone disease riding him around. It took a long time, we have been very successful in the trail obstacle competitions and he has taught me more then I would have ever learned if my first horse had been a push button animal. I can not think him enough and I am sure that my other horses are very thankful for what he taught me. Just remember the three rules and good luck. Bob Hill |
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Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2000 - 11:08 pm: Another thought.After getting your horse to give to the bit while standing still and I mean a good turn of the head in both directions work on this while going down the trail. At first they will want to take the opportunity to head back to the barn but with some diligence you should be able to get them to track down the trail with there neck bent and relaxed. The theory behind this is on the way back to the barn when your horse is trying to rush you can use this exercise to get there mind on something else. Some might get worked-up frustrated and some might require more rapid changes from left to right usually resulting in an eventual halt with a big question mark on the top of your horses head saying what exactly is it you want me to do. I use a counting method, "give left 1,2,3,4,5-let them relax 1,2,3,4,5-then give right 1,2,3,4,5. Eventually your horse is second guessing you and turning his head before you apply pressure on the bit, when this happens he is not thinking about the barn. He is now thinking about what you want him to do more then what he wants to do. It is always important to let them know they have done what you have asked. It is always important to figure out that in the relaxed position if he tries to speed up on the count of 3 that you ask for the give on the count of two.If all they need is a count of 20 in the relaxed position then ask for the give at 19. It is always important to remember that if he will relax on his own 100 yards or a 1/4 of a mile away from the barn you let him do so. Every horse is different and you have to figure out when they are comfortable and let them know you know. Bob Hill |
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Posted on Monday, May 8, 2000 - 1:46 pm: Thanks for taking the time to relay your experience and advice Bob!It's great to read other's experiences. She at least isn't flip over crazy and hasn't dumped me yet! I am a fairly experienced rider but have never encountered barn sourness to this degree. I will try the yielding to the bit excercise. ~Barbara |
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 10, 2000 - 11:20 am: Hi everyone,An update on my gelding - and I need additional advice. I've now got him being more obedient, walking home, not jigging etc. However he still gets very tense when heading home, doesn't relax. Also he has recently started the habit of clicking his teeth. It is obvious to me that he really doesn't enjoy trail riding! Does anyone have any ideas how to get him to relax and enjoy his outings?? |
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 10, 2000 - 12:37 pm: Hi Pamela,Lots of great advice on the different aspects of this problem--there are sure a lot of ways to approach it. One thing I'd suggest, as someone else alluded to, is perhaps using food to help create positive associations. It sounds like the barn is still a more enjoyable/secure place for him to be... you might try hiding feed/treats out on the trail and riding him to it/them. I use a similar method to teach youngsters to trailer load and it works so well that I once had to fetch them out of someone else's trailer. Also, I'm assuming your tack fits, his teeth are in good shape, etc. At this point I wouldn't try to go for a long distance, just build his confidence incrementally. The "making the wrong thing hard" etc does work but it might be better if you try to be so incremental as to not need that approach, because then you have to deal with erasing those "wrong thing" associations that he will have tied up with being ridden out, (ie "geez, out on the trail is where I have to do all those %&^ circles!" etc)-- Hope this helps. |
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Posted on Friday, Mar 3, 2000 - 9:04 pm: I like that idea of making the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy! And I agree about not dismounting--I admit I had to twice when I truly thought I was in danger, ie one time the horse reared on a paved road!! I got back on after I reached a safer location. If I had been in a safer environment I would have spun him around - at that point he was acting truly nutty. He's actually a very nice, athletic, quiet horse who likes to stay home! And also he needs tons of exercise and I don't always have the time. Thanks for your thoughts - I'm going to try them out. |
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