Arena Woes

pagcam · 10-16-2009, 04:04 PM

I'm looking for some tips and hints on how to turn a "trail" horse into an arena horse. . .
BACKGROUND: Gelding, a nice older thoroughbred was purchased some months ago, from a "pony club home"; they were adamant he was really skinny, needed to be lunged before every ride, and rode him in a very poorly fitting western saddle. Rode twice before he came here; once when he was lunged (he was very out of shape and boy was he tired) and once when he wasn't (still the same horse, surprisingly).
He's ridden English now, not lunged before any ride, and wasn't "really" skinny, just wormy and out of shape, and he is a wonderful, patient boy.
The issue is that he has a split personality; he is interested, forward, and responsive on the trail, and becomes a total slug in the arena. Wild horses couldn't drag a canter out of him in the arena. They'd be more likely to run him over.
Trainer says there are two issues at the heart here that nothing but hard work will solve;
1) Better riding - Rider is advanced beginner, needs to work with him through it until cues are more consistent, position is better, and becomes more assertive and confident.
2) Conditioning - He gets grain daily, lunged once a week in a proper frame, and he needs to work through the "arena torture" until he builds more muscle, starts carrying himself better.
And his rider is definitely willing to put in the work; but so far the progress as been present but slow, and it's disheartening to see him totally lose that "spark" every time he's asked to work in the arena.
So I thought I'd ask the horse community here for some tips and hints; things that help put a sparkle back in your ponies eyes when they are bored and frustrated with the lesson, things that help your horses be more responsive to you. . .

singing tree · 10-17-2009, 10:38 PM

He might as well come here, cause I feel about the same way with arena work. Let me on the trails!

That said, I would keep the arena work to a minimum , at least until he gets built up. Why would he want to go do something where if he does it right, he just has to keep doing it and doing it, and probably in deeper footing than he is used to? Set a small goal, and when he does it, take him outside. Add a little more, bit by bit. He'll get there....

misstishus · 10-17-2009, 10:56 PM

I liven up arena work with gound poles and cavaletti. Once she can get him cantering reliably she can add in small fences. Get a book or dvd of patterns and different exercises. They help keep the horse interested. Do spirals, serpentines, bending lines, half circles, circles, turn on the haunches, turn on the forehand, lateral work. Back through ground poles, sidepass over groundpoles, etc, etc. Start with baby steps, only ask for each exercise a few times, then move on. The hardest part about doing patterns is that the rider expects perfection which is not the point. The point is that the horse is working different muscles with each exercise, perfection will come in time and expecting it early on will only cause disapointment and sparring. Also, use lots of praise in the arena. Reward every effort, no matter how small.

NorthernHorseGirl · 10-18-2009, 09:37 PM

My gelding was like that. He acted half dead in the arena.
Other than using things and doing things to make it more interesting for him I don't know if you can make him like it. If he was ridden too often in the arena previous to you having him and he hated it he's going to hate it now, too. If he just doesn't like it I don't see how conditioning him will make him like being in there.

If a rider doesn't like riding in an arena will getting them in better condition somehow make it more fun? I doubt it. Arena work is boring. Period.

RockwoodDawn · 10-20-2009, 05:19 PM

Go on trail rides with him. Some horses just are not thrilled with arena work. There is no reason that he can not be conditioned on the trail, and you will still (I hope) be practicine (sp) good riding practices. You can practice circles, backing, and transistions. After your horse is more conditioned and you have a better seat, then go back to the arena for what you have to do in the arena, but keep the trail riding to keep your horse from getting areana sour.

Slim Pikkens · 10-20-2009, 05:29 PM

Trail riding is great for conditioning him, even just walking and trotting. Look for some hills as that will build his hindquarters. What do you hope to accomplish with this horse? We used to build low jumps on the network of trails we were lucky to have thro the trees. The horses would jump these with more life than in the arena.

Cait · 10-21-2009, 07:40 AM

I would agree with the trail riding. Use hills, natural obstacles, etc to your advantage. Not to mention that he stays occupied with everything to look at and it helps him get less spooky (although maybe he doesn't need that).

Stella absolutely refuses to be in an arena. She is very ring sour and refuses to do anything past a walk (which she doesn't even want to do!

). She just gets really bored, even when poles and things are introduced. I could not make her like it so she went to my parents house to officially be a trail horse.

Good luck!

Smilie · 10-27-2009, 07:12 PM

well, arena work is just that-work. If you only want a trail horse, then fine, just trail ride.
I expect more of my horses , since I show. Yes, arena work means working collected, performing percise manovers when asked, and horses only ridden in arenas will become arena sour
That is why I spend a lot of time riding my show horse out on trails
At the same time, I love a good performance horse. Shows are held in arenas, thus you have to have your horse working well in one
I nether believe a horse that only can be ridden in an arena, or one that can just be ridden out on trails is truly broke. A well broke , good minded horse does both
The horse does not dictate to me where he willand will not work. This is non negociable

dunamovin · 10-27-2009, 08:19 PM

Sounds like a good candidate for western pleasure or HUS if he's that laid back in the arena. Some kids just don't like school;

but love recess.

Maybe he just isn't the horse for you...it happens. You both might be happier with someone else.

RockwoodDawn · 10-28-2009, 05:07 PM

Except for using a little more leg in the ring, I ride the same on the trail or in the arena. Just because you are on the trail, does not mean that the horse is not collected, or working. The work on the trail not only conditions the horse but also makes it a habit for him to obey me. Then when I go back to schooling in the ring, I expect him to obey me there. If you ask many old time trainers, they will tell you get out and ride. Make wet saddle blankets. This does not mean that you let the horse pack you on the trail. He has to be ridden at all times.

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10-16-2009, 04:04 PM
pagcam Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 19	Arena Woes I'm looking for some tips and hints on how to turn a "trail" horse into an arena horse. . . BACKGROUND: Gelding, a nice older thoroughbred was purchased some months ago, from a "pony club home"; they were adamant he was really skinny, needed to be lunged before every ride, and rode him in a very poorly fitting western saddle. Rode twice before he came here; once when he was lunged (he was very out of shape and boy was he tired) and once when he wasn't (still the same horse, surprisingly). He's ridden English now, not lunged before any ride, and wasn't "really" skinny, just wormy and out of shape, and he is a wonderful, patient boy. The issue is that he has a split personality; he is interested, forward, and responsive on the trail, and becomes a total slug in the arena. Wild horses couldn't drag a canter out of him in the arena. They'd be more likely to run him over. Trainer says there are two issues at the heart here that nothing but hard work will solve; 1) Better riding - Rider is advanced beginner, needs to work with him through it until cues are more consistent, position is better, and becomes more assertive and confident. 2) Conditioning - He gets grain daily, lunged once a week in a proper frame, and he needs to work through the "arena torture" until he builds more muscle, starts carrying himself better. And his rider is definitely willing to put in the work; but so far the progress as been present but slow, and it's disheartening to see him totally lose that "spark" every time he's asked to work in the arena. So I thought I'd ask the horse community here for some tips and hints; things that help put a sparkle back in your ponies eyes when they are bored and frustrated with the lesson, things that help your horses be more responsive to you. . .

10-17-2009, 10:38 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,047	He might as well come here, cause I feel about the same way with arena work. Let me on the trails! That said, I would keep the arena work to a minimum , at least until he gets built up. Why would he want to go do something where if he does it right, he just has to keep doing it and doing it, and probably in deeper footing than he is used to? Set a small goal, and when he does it, take him outside. Add a little more, bit by bit. He'll get there....

10-17-2009, 10:56 PM
misstishus Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 279	I liven up arena work with gound poles and cavaletti. Once she can get him cantering reliably she can add in small fences. Get a book or dvd of patterns and different exercises. They help keep the horse interested. Do spirals, serpentines, bending lines, half circles, circles, turn on the haunches, turn on the forehand, lateral work. Back through ground poles, sidepass over groundpoles, etc, etc. Start with baby steps, only ask for each exercise a few times, then move on. The hardest part about doing patterns is that the rider expects perfection which is not the point. The point is that the horse is working different muscles with each exercise, perfection will come in time and expecting it early on will only cause disapointment and sparring. Also, use lots of praise in the arena. Reward every effort, no matter how small.

10-18-2009, 09:37 PM
NorthernHorseGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 510	My gelding was like that. He acted half dead in the arena. Other than using things and doing things to make it more interesting for him I don't know if you can make him like it. If he was ridden too often in the arena previous to you having him and he hated it he's going to hate it now, too. If he just doesn't like it I don't see how conditioning him will make him like being in there. If a rider doesn't like riding in an arena will getting them in better condition somehow make it more fun? I doubt it. Arena work is boring. Period. __________________ Some horses come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile and make hoofprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same. Anonymous Rest in peace Clint, I'll always love you and I'll miss you for the rest of my life. You were and will always be my perfect horse.

10-20-2009, 05:19 PM
RockwoodDawn Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ledyard CT Posts: 296	Go on trail rides with him. Some horses just are not thrilled with arena work. There is no reason that he can not be conditioned on the trail, and you will still (I hope) be practicine (sp) good riding practices. You can practice circles, backing, and transistions. After your horse is more conditioned and you have a better seat, then go back to the arena for what you have to do in the arena, but keep the trail riding to keep your horse from getting areana sour. Last edited by RockwoodDawn : 10-20-2009 at 05:20 PM. Reason: spelling

10-20-2009, 05:29 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,055	Trail riding is great for conditioning him, even just walking and trotting. Look for some hills as that will build his hindquarters. What do you hope to accomplish with this horse? We used to build low jumps on the network of trails we were lucky to have thro the trees. The horses would jump these with more life than in the arena.

10-21-2009, 07:40 AM
Cait Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 151	I would agree with the trail riding. Use hills, natural obstacles, etc to your advantage. Not to mention that he stays occupied with everything to look at and it helps him get less spooky (although maybe he doesn't need that). Stella absolutely refuses to be in an arena. She is very ring sour and refuses to do anything past a walk (which she doesn't even want to do!). She just gets really bored, even when poles and things are introduced. I could not make her like it so she went to my parents house to officially be a trail horse. Good luck! __________________ Proud owner of: Molly's Way "Stella"- 6 year old Thoroughbred Lena- 7 year old Thoroughbred

10-27-2009, 07:12 PM
Smilie Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 206	well, arena work is just that-work. If you only want a trail horse, then fine, just trail ride. I expect more of my horses , since I show. Yes, arena work means working collected, performing percise manovers when asked, and horses only ridden in arenas will become arena sour That is why I spend a lot of time riding my show horse out on trails At the same time, I love a good performance horse. Shows are held in arenas, thus you have to have your horse working well in one I nether believe a horse that only can be ridden in an arena, or one that can just be ridden out on trails is truly broke. A well broke , good minded horse does both The horse does not dictate to me where he willand will not work. This is non negociable __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement[/IMG]

10-27-2009, 08:19 PM
dunamovin Halter broke Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: where the blacktop ends Posts: 194	Sounds like a good candidate for western pleasure or HUS if he's that laid back in the arena. Some kids just don't like school; but love recess. Maybe he just isn't the horse for you...it happens. You both might be happier with someone else.

10-28-2009, 05:07 PM
RockwoodDawn Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ledyard CT Posts: 296	Except for using a little more leg in the ring, I ride the same on the trail or in the arena. Just because you are on the trail, does not mean that the horse is not collected, or working. The work on the trail not only conditions the horse but also makes it a habit for him to obey me. Then when I go back to schooling in the ring, I expect him to obey me there. If you ask many old time trainers, they will tell you get out and ride. Make wet saddle blankets. This does not mean that you let the horse pack you on the trail. He has to be ridden at all times.