Wanting to go home

The Old Grey Mare

it sounds like he knows that he is in control & is just doing what he wants to do. be firm in your commands with him.
maybe also some more training at home will help. you need to have control of him so that if a dangerous situation arises, you can make sure that neither of you will get hurt.

kp

If he spins to the right, do not turn him to the right to get him going where you want, to turn the the left. If he won't turn back in that direction, just sit there and hold his head to the left, he will eventually give in and turn to the left. You need to be more stubborn than what he is. Do not give in and do not ever let him continue turning in the direction he wants spin in. All you are doing is giving into him and making the problem worse. My tb did the same thing and this worked for him, I did not kick or hit him, I was simply more stubborn that what he was and he doesn't try it on anymore.

Belinda

That's exactly what I do. If he turns off to the right to go home I try and circle to the left and forward, and vice versa. I have also tried just letting him leave his nose on my boot and waiting until he gets sick of that, but then he straightens up and starts pulling at the bit towards the ground and I worry that he is getting his head down so he can buck me off! That's just paranoia because I don't think he ever would - he's never been a bucker, bolter, rearer. Guess I just have to be stronger and show him I have more time to waste than he does.

Belinda

ashka

Ha, ha, I use to ride just for fun too - until I ended up having none of it! So I had to go back to basics ... but I have to say that it is so interesting learning about how your horse thinks and acts and what you can do to make it pleasurable for both of you. I enjoy my rides so much more now - and not justy because my horse is better behaved.

Belinda

Thought I would give you all an update. I've been doing some ground work and flat work in the paddock the last few weeks and basically getting no where. In fact if anything he was getting worse. If we were heading towards his favourite corner of the paddock and I tried to turn him away from it he just wouldn't!! I think part of the problem here was that a) I really didn't know what I was doing or how to achieve it, and b) I find riding around the paddock dead boring anyway!! So on Sunday we rode around the paddock and he was a pain in the butt and I ended up thoroughly disheartened. Woke up Monday and decided it was time to lay down the law, show him who's boss etc etc. Decided to put him in a situation where he is at his worst, which for him is a T-junction that we come to very early in our rides out. He will go right just fine but he will not even contemplate going left (this leads away from his paddock). So Monday I decided we were going left regardless of whether it took me any hour to achieve it. So we set off, I had my crop with me, and he went left first time. I was stunned. It seems that just having the crop there was the extra incentive he needed to do what I asked, and the best thing was that I never had to use it once!! We then proceeded to have the most pleasurable we have had in weeks. It was so relaxing and we both enjoyed it. When we got back to the paddock things just got better. He has never been an overly affectionate horse, but this time I was just sitting there watching him, and he actually approached me and was nuzzling me and trying to tip my hat off. Sounds like such a small thing, but it was the first time that he has made the effort to be with me like that!! So I'm pretty happy with progress. Just hope that I'm not speaking too soon. We'll see how he goes next weekend!!

Belinda

Denny

Hey well done Belinda!!!!

Sometimes it just goes to show how a postive mental attitude can reflect in riding!!!

Keep up the good work!!

ashka

I'm very happy for you Belinda - it's so rewarding when you have a breakthrough - and more importantly - nice to finally have an enjoyable ride!!!

Belinda

Yes, what you said earlier about having no fun was so true!! Hopefully things will be much less frustrating from now on. I just wish I'd taken that crop with me earlier!!

Belinda

taylor

well done belinda!

sounds like things might be a bit easier for the pair of you from now on!

p.

sil

Hi Belinda

I'm glad it went well for you! =)

I would very, very, very, very (get the point? lol) very strongly recommend you invest in a handful of riding lessons.

Riding is a skill of timing and tact. By using good timing you will achieve the same result with a tenth of the effort - this is important as you have decribed yourself as fairly petite.

By improving your own riding skills, handling situations with your horse at home and out on the road will drastically improve. It truly is not enough to just carry a crop. That will work today, but what will happen if there is an emergency?

I also strongly recommend you do not try to provoke an argument with your horse to 'work through' the problem unless you are SURE you will win. If you need to, get someone else to do it. At worst you will be hurt and he will learn he doesn't have to listen.

I don't wish to scare you - but yes the lessons and some help will make your riding out not only fun but much safer and in control. Good luck with it =)

~ Do as much as it takes, do as little as it takes. ~

__________________
Black Orchid American Saddlebred Stud
http://www.blackorchidstud.com.au