Trail riding

Scouts Willows Ridge · 09-02-2008, 12:33 PM

Hi all I was wondering if anyone has ran into this problem or any suggestions. My husband and i went trail riding in Northern MN for a couple three days this past week. All new trails for us and both of our gelding a couple hours into the ride decide to stop and refused to go. We tried giving them there go forward cues but nothing, tried a light swat on the rump and nothing. These are horses that go without much effort but it was like they were tired and didnt want to go any further. I tried making him go in circles but still nothing they wanted to turn around on the trail and go back. They didnt act scared or anything like that and they shoulnt have been tired it was just a nice leisurely walking ride. There really wasnt enough room on the trail to lunge him. we finally dismounted and walked them a few yards got back on and then they went. It happened all three days we rode at some point in our ride.

Any imput will be appreciated
Thanks Northern gal

David · 09-02-2008, 12:41 PM

It sounds like new horses testing owners or else they are used to being rode for a certain amount of time and figured it was time to turn around. It sounds like you handled it the best it could be handled though.

BklynCwgrl · 09-02-2008, 01:31 PM

Yep...sounds like the big test!!!

When I was new to riding, my very experienced mare would do that...and she had me convinced there was danger up ahead...and I'd allow her to turn back and go home! LOL I would THANK HER for being such a good girl and taking such good care of me.

When I told someone with more experience that story...they never laughed so hard!

Scouts Willows Ridge · 09-02-2008, 01:42 PM

Maybe it is because that is about how long we usually ride because we have ridden these same geldings for 4 yrs. My husbands horse is 11 and my paint is 6. We actually thought that maybe they smelled a bear or some dead animal. any how we enjoyed the ride just kinda frustrating as they were just great crossing water and bridges with no sides to them. One would stop and then the other horse just refused to go, if one whould go then the other would follow. We just didnt want to turn it into a big fight so we just dismounted and walked a ways then got back on and everything was fine

Thanks for the input
Linda

Soliae · 09-03-2008, 08:16 PM

You might consider working the horses separately a bit. Even when you are officially "riding together" make a regular practice of one of you riding off and leaving the other, or turning one around but making the other go forward for a ways before meeting back up again.

Yes, it can get frustrating, but it really sounds like your horses could use a refresher on who is the leader in the relationship. It's also always helpful to have a horse that does not fuss when ridden alone.

Every horse I work with is worked both alone and with groups - but I stress the ALONE riding more than anything. Horses being herd animals, it is a lot easier to teach them to be with a group than it is to teach them to ride AWAY from the group!

RebaRose · 09-03-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scouts Willows Ridge

We actually thought that maybe they smelled a bear or some dead animal.

Thanks for the input
Linda

A friend and I were out riding one day and our horses acted very similar to this. They didn't really act scared they would just stop walking and we would have a big fight to get them to go again. After a few short minutes we saw 3 bear cubs playing in the ditch not very far away from us! The horses still didn't act scared! We, on the other hand ,were pretty terrified!

Maybe they just smelled something different and were trying to figure out what it was!

**beth55051** · 09-03-2008, 09:02 PM

It does sound like maybe they just needed a break. We try to always give ours a breather every hour or two. Even if it's as simple as getting down, loosening the girth and letting them graze for a few minutes. It really seems to help them keep going when they're not in the best shape. Water breaks are important as well.

You weren't by chance at Tamarack were you? The bridges and lots of water crossings sounded like maybe you were. If so those are some very hard trails on the ponies, especially all those dang stairs.

But its absolutely gorgeous there when the leaves are turning!

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09-02-2008, 12:33 PM
Scouts Willows Ridge Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 35	Trail riding Hi all I was wondering if anyone has ran into this problem or any suggestions. My husband and i went trail riding in Northern MN for a couple three days this past week. All new trails for us and both of our gelding a couple hours into the ride decide to stop and refused to go. We tried giving them there go forward cues but nothing, tried a light swat on the rump and nothing. These are horses that go without much effort but it was like they were tired and didnt want to go any further. I tried making him go in circles but still nothing they wanted to turn around on the trail and go back. They didnt act scared or anything like that and they shoulnt have been tired it was just a nice leisurely walking ride. There really wasnt enough room on the trail to lunge him. we finally dismounted and walked them a few yards got back on and then they went. It happened all three days we rode at some point in our ride. Any imput will be appreciated Thanks Northern gal

09-02-2008, 12:41 PM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,066	It sounds like new horses testing owners or else they are used to being rode for a certain amount of time and figured it was time to turn around. It sounds like you handled it the best it could be handled though. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

09-02-2008, 01:42 PM
Scouts Willows Ridge Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 35	Trail riding Maybe it is because that is about how long we usually ride because we have ridden these same geldings for 4 yrs. My husbands horse is 11 and my paint is 6. We actually thought that maybe they smelled a bear or some dead animal. any how we enjoyed the ride just kinda frustrating as they were just great crossing water and bridges with no sides to them. One would stop and then the other horse just refused to go, if one whould go then the other would follow. We just didnt want to turn it into a big fight so we just dismounted and walked a ways then got back on and everything was fine Thanks for the input Linda

09-03-2008, 08:16 PM
Soliae Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 127	You might consider working the horses separately a bit. Even when you are officially "riding together" make a regular practice of one of you riding off and leaving the other, or turning one around but making the other go forward for a ways before meeting back up again. Yes, it can get frustrating, but it really sounds like your horses could use a refresher on who is the leader in the relationship. It's also always helpful to have a horse that does not fuss when ridden alone. Every horse I work with is worked both alone and with groups - but I stress the ALONE riding more than anything. Horses being herd animals, it is a lot easier to teach them to be with a group than it is to teach them to ride AWAY from the group! __________________ Click on the Eggs and Hatchlings to Help them Hatch and Grow!

09-03-2008, 09:02 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,733	It does sound like maybe they just needed a break. We try to always give ours a breather every hour or two. Even if it's as simple as getting down, loosening the girth and letting them graze for a few minutes. It really seems to help them keep going when they're not in the best shape. Water breaks are important as well. You weren't by chance at Tamarack were you? The bridges and lots of water crossings sounded like maybe you were. If so those are some very hard trails on the ponies, especially all those dang stairs. But its absolutely gorgeous there when the leaves are turning! __________________ *Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.*