Training Help Needed

MurphysHorseGirl · 08-15-2008, 11:57 AM

I have a 16 yr old gelding who is just about bombproof. He responds to my commands when I ride with one other person. The problem is when we ride with more people, he becomes an uncontrolable brat. If the lead horse starts to go after we've stopped, he does whatever he can to start following. This means plowing through whatever is in front of him and for the first time rearing. He has becomed hard mouthed and sets his head and there is not stopping him. I have been doing the one-rein stop, but sometimes the trail is not suitable for it. At first I thought it was being buddy sour and we have worked on that at home when we ride. Now I have come to believe that it is total disrespect for me. When I do ground work, he's okay. Any suggestions to make this horse more enjoyable to ride is appreciated.

Jules · 08-15-2008, 03:29 PM

Interestingly, I had a similar experience last weekend, though not quite as dramatic (no rearing or the like). I ride my pretty well mannered horse with my mother's horse almost every time we go on the trail and they are great together - either will lead or follow, no issues. Last weekend we went out with two other horses from our barn - two older (20+ years) mares who hadn't been on the trail in literally years.

My horse went bugnuts - snorting, pushing, spooking, trotting. It was an eye opener. I made him go in every position on the trail - front, middle, rear - and circled him when he was being a snot. He hates to do tight, fast circles and especially in the deep soft sand on the trails, so that helped a fair bit. Other than that, I stayed very aware of what the two mares were doing - they were very feisty and forward going so my horse wanted to just go with them (ironic if you happen to read my other thread in Training, which is why won't my horse canter!). They went up one very steep rocky trail and I was going to take a longer route, but my horse started side stepping and prancing - something he hasn't done in the year I've had him - so I made him go straight up. He decided about half way up that it was too much work but I made him finish it. He calmed down a fair bit after that, except for a huge sideways/backwards spook when one of the mares galloped up behind him and he didn't see her coming til the last second.

So, back to the issue at hand. I say use techniques that many people recommend when your horse has trail issues - make the horse move its feet quickly, sideways, in circles, backwards, etc, to get the horse refocused on you and the task at hand. I like these sort of suggestions as they are good training moves and you can usually work them on the trail, unless you're on a very tight trail with a drop-off maybe - then I'd just hang on and let him go forwards, for safety's sake. If he sets his mouth against you, I would try to let him go a few strides to see if he softens, then do the exercises I mentioned above. That's worked for me several times now and I think it's a good starting point.

Good luck!

Slim Pikkens · 08-16-2008, 02:50 PM

Why not give your horse a loose rein and let him find where he's comfortable amongst a group of horses.

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08-15-2008, 11:57 AM
MurphysHorseGirl Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boyers, PA Posts: 57	Training Help Needed I have a 16 yr old gelding who is just about bombproof. He responds to my commands when I ride with one other person. The problem is when we ride with more people, he becomes an uncontrolable brat. If the lead horse starts to go after we've stopped, he does whatever he can to start following. This means plowing through whatever is in front of him and for the first time rearing. He has becomed hard mouthed and sets his head and there is not stopping him. I have been doing the one-rein stop, but sometimes the trail is not suitable for it. At first I thought it was being buddy sour and we have worked on that at home when we ride. Now I have come to believe that it is total disrespect for me. When I do ground work, he's okay. Any suggestions to make this horse more enjoyable to ride is appreciated.

08-15-2008, 03:29 PM
Jules Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 167	Interestingly, I had a similar experience last weekend, though not quite as dramatic (no rearing or the like). I ride my pretty well mannered horse with my mother's horse almost every time we go on the trail and they are great together - either will lead or follow, no issues. Last weekend we went out with two other horses from our barn - two older (20+ years) mares who hadn't been on the trail in literally years. My horse went bugnuts - snorting, pushing, spooking, trotting. It was an eye opener. I made him go in every position on the trail - front, middle, rear - and circled him when he was being a snot. He hates to do tight, fast circles and especially in the deep soft sand on the trails, so that helped a fair bit. Other than that, I stayed very aware of what the two mares were doing - they were very feisty and forward going so my horse wanted to just go with them (ironic if you happen to read my other thread in Training, which is why won't my horse canter!). They went up one very steep rocky trail and I was going to take a longer route, but my horse started side stepping and prancing - something he hasn't done in the year I've had him - so I made him go straight up. He decided about half way up that it was too much work but I made him finish it. He calmed down a fair bit after that, except for a huge sideways/backwards spook when one of the mares galloped up behind him and he didn't see her coming til the last second. So, back to the issue at hand. I say use techniques that many people recommend when your horse has trail issues - make the horse move its feet quickly, sideways, in circles, backwards, etc, to get the horse refocused on you and the task at hand. I like these sort of suggestions as they are good training moves and you can usually work them on the trail, unless you're on a very tight trail with a drop-off maybe - then I'd just hang on and let him go forwards, for safety's sake. If he sets his mouth against you, I would try to let him go a few strides to see if he softens, then do the exercises I mentioned above. That's worked for me several times now and I think it's a good starting point. Good luck! __________________ Jules Living in Las Vegas... loving my horse

08-16-2008, 02:50 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	Why not give your horse a loose rein and let him find where he's comfortable amongst a group of horses.