Help/Advice- stubborn onry baby

princesskristin · 11-16-2007, 04:05 PM

Hello everyone. My horse Cash is a young horse, he is only three. Lately he is being a little stubborn punk. He makes the meanest faces and swishes his tail at me when I ask him to walk on when I'm on him. He is just flat out being stubborn and lazy. He wants his own way all the time. I think I should lunge him, but what else can I do to get him listening and to get happy of course, and to get him to respect and be loyal.

ahlihaff · 11-16-2007, 04:50 PM

If this is something new, could he be having a physical issue? If not, he could be testing.

I would do a lot of ground exercises with him before riding to get him paying attention to you. I'd start with backing, head lowering, bending, crossing hindquarters. Then turn him loose in a round pen and have him w/t/c around the rail, changing his direction often. This gets my horse very attentive to me and what I'm going to ask him to do next. I then back off and let him come in to me. I walk in an arch, and he follows. If I stop, he stops. If I walk backwards next to him, he backs with me. This also gives me an opportunity to watch that he's moving well and isn't lame.

Just some ideas. Hope they help.

princesskristin · 11-16-2007, 04:52 PM

Thanks I will try stuff like that.

**seerfarm** · 11-16-2007, 04:58 PM

Back to basic's with lots of in hand ground work, and round penning for respect. Not a typical for a 3 yr old, and if I remember correctly it was about the same time my big gelding got some tude. Also did lots of trail riding and open field riding, on a very relaxed loose rein, and kinda let him just meander along. Just check and make sure he maybe doesn't have a physical issue like a sore back or legs, as this can also be something that young horses can get if they are being worked a little more than usual. Check with the doctor to on his current meds and diet and rule out anything there as well. Keep us posted.

princesskristin · 11-16-2007, 05:11 PM

I checked with vet about feed and meds and and pain issues and there is nothing. I don't ask much from him, I don't work him as much as I probably should. I think he is just stubborn and wants to eat all the time. He is all about getting grass. I'm going to work with him with the lunge whip before I get on him saturday.

**gbarmranch** · 11-16-2007, 08:47 PM

Yup, he is going through the teenage testing times.. Lots of round penning, lunge work, ground driving, some tying up for patience, and just let that baby brain grow up..

Usually by four, they are back to thinking critters again..

AlwaysAppy · 11-23-2007, 10:30 AM

ugggg...three...what a great age!!

I agree with the ground work. I'm sorry if this has been mentioned already but I would add some ground poles. This will make him pay attention a little more and "work" a little harded. (something he is trying to avoid). In the saddle I would highly recomend short workouts. When you ask him for something he doesn't really want to do be calm and assertive but insist he do it. I find the magic number is three times (I don't know why) if he does what you want three times in a row (even if he is unhappy about it) finish for the day. He will learn that it isn't really that bad and the work stops if he would just do his job. Good luck!! I started showing my boy at 3 and I can honestly say I love riding his 14 year old self now. Stick with it and remember to smile, it's hard work growing up!

audrey-mae · 11-24-2007, 01:19 PM

I am not a real fan of roundpenning, it gets REAL boring for the horses real fast! He needs a spanking to realize you mean business! Carry a dressage crop with you, then ask, tell, then demand! Ask your normal way (squeeze, cluck), then tell (kick), then demand (a good smack with the crop). He needs to listen to you. Have you trotted and cantered him yet? If not, you really need to do that so he realizes that being ridden is about working. Good luck!

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11-16-2007, 04:05 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Help/Advice- stubborn onry baby Hello everyone. My horse Cash is a young horse, he is only three. Lately he is being a little stubborn punk. He makes the meanest faces and swishes his tail at me when I ask him to walk on when I'm on him. He is just flat out being stubborn and lazy. He wants his own way all the time. I think I should lunge him, but what else can I do to get him listening and to get happy of course, and to get him to respect and be loyal. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith. Last edited by princesskristin : 11-16-2007 at 04:28 PM.

11-16-2007, 04:50 PM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,880	If this is something new, could he be having a physical issue? If not, he could be testing. I would do a lot of ground exercises with him before riding to get him paying attention to you. I'd start with backing, head lowering, bending, crossing hindquarters. Then turn him loose in a round pen and have him w/t/c around the rail, changing his direction often. This gets my horse very attentive to me and what I'm going to ask him to do next. I then back off and let him come in to me. I walk in an arch, and he follows. If I stop, he stops. If I walk backwards next to him, he backs with me. This also gives me an opportunity to watch that he's moving well and isn't lame. Just some ideas. Hope they help. __________________

11-16-2007, 04:52 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Thanks I will try stuff like that. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

11-16-2007, 04:58 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,233	Back to basic's with lots of in hand ground work, and round penning for respect. Not a typical for a 3 yr old, and if I remember correctly it was about the same time my big gelding got some tude. Also did lots of trail riding and open field riding, on a very relaxed loose rein, and kinda let him just meander along. Just check and make sure he maybe doesn't have a physical issue like a sore back or legs, as this can also be something that young horses can get if they are being worked a little more than usual. Check with the doctor to on his current meds and diet and rule out anything there as well. Keep us posted. __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland

11-16-2007, 05:11 PM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	I checked with vet about feed and meds and and pain issues and there is nothing. I don't ask much from him, I don't work him as much as I probably should. I think he is just stubborn and wants to eat all the time. He is all about getting grass. I'm going to work with him with the lunge whip before I get on him saturday. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

11-16-2007, 08:47 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,570	Yup, he is going through the teenage testing times.. Lots of round penning, lunge work, ground driving, some tying up for patience, and just let that baby brain grow up.. Usually by four, they are back to thinking critters again.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

11-23-2007, 10:30 AM
AlwaysAppy Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 212	ugggg...three...what a great age!! I agree with the ground work. I'm sorry if this has been mentioned already but I would add some ground poles. This will make him pay attention a little more and "work" a little harded. (something he is trying to avoid). In the saddle I would highly recomend short workouts. When you ask him for something he doesn't really want to do be calm and assertive but insist he do it. I find the magic number is three times (I don't know why) if he does what you want three times in a row (even if he is unhappy about it) finish for the day. He will learn that it isn't really that bad and the work stops if he would just do his job. Good luck!! I started showing my boy at 3 and I can honestly say I love riding his 14 year old self now. Stick with it and remember to smile, it's hard work growing up! __________________ He knows when you're happy He knows when you're comfortable He knows when you're confident And he always knows when you have carrots. ~Author Unknown

11-24-2007, 01:19 PM
audrey-mae Newborn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: oregon Posts: 23	I am not a real fan of roundpenning, it gets REAL boring for the horses real fast! He needs a spanking to realize you mean business! Carry a dressage crop with you, then ask, tell, then demand! Ask your normal way (squeeze, cluck), then tell (kick), then demand (a good smack with the crop). He needs to listen to you. Have you trotted and cantered him yet? If not, you really need to do that so he realizes that being ridden is about working. Good luck!