I’ve met a wonderful 5 year old horse who hasn’t been ridden in a couple months. Her owner says she used to be perfectly well trained and used with children but has since gained a sense of independence. I rode her yesterday to see if she would remember her training. She wasn’t the most difficult horse I’ve ridden. I’ve ridden for quite some and have dealt with horses who have reared and bucked on me (no it’s not because I can’t ride or do stupid things on horses- I’m interested in horse training- I have improved the behavior of a few horses 2 or which were over 15 years old) I began learning from a friend who trained horses but had to stop after a few weeks. I’ve always been great with horses, I’m never afraid, I’m always calm and patient, I always try to be understanding and perceptive, I’ve never been hurt on them, and I figure that’s gotta happen eventually.
Anyway, she’s so sweet when you’re not trying to tell her what to do and if I can help her remember her training I’m sure I can help find her a great new home with very loving people (her owners need to downsize their herd a bit). If she were just easier to ride I’m sure there would be people scrambling to adopt such an amazing creature. But for now, she tosses her head, tries her hardest to run me into trees, fences, and the hay post. I can control her well enough to keep her from doing these things and she will stop and stand. When she gets bored she will do one of two things: she does this sly, clever little quick side step toward the fence or just stops. When she does this stop it’s in a very stubborn manner. She will not respond to vocal commands, leg squeezing, shoulder taps with reins or a crop, or kicks. She was trained to respond to all of these and I tried all in that order. Of course I can get her to move after a minute, but she does love to see how long she can stay like that. Her stubborness and her spirit is actually a big part of why she is my favorite of all the horses staying at the ranch, but she can’t be sold while she’s this stubborn. Just want to know if anyone has any good, gentle techniques in getting a horse to remember her training. When I began learning about horse training, it was with a very young horse being trained to ride for the first time. I want to make sure I do this right. With other horses I’ve experienced I at least understood them well enough to work with them but I can’t seem to quite understand her. Sometimes it seems that she needs to be broken which I would want to leave to someone more experienced, but other times it seems that she’s just frustrated with me because she can’t get me to understand what she wants.
I can only get so much from books and youtube clips. Does anyone have some tips and tricks they have found work in this situation? Are there any books or dvds that you would really suggest? any that are really fantastic? I’m trying not to use treats too often. If anyone wants to speak more extensively with me on the matter then please feel free to email me. Otherwise, any helpful answers would be appreciated. I don’t think her situation is serious enough to where I absolutely have to bring in someone with much more experience. In fact her case seems to be a great one for a beginner in training. If you disagree then please tell me so! I may give my friend a call anyway and have him come out and see her for himself. The beginning of this journey has proved to be difficult but it’s not over! I’m certainly not ready or willing to give up on her so if you can help then I would love that! Thanks!
she was used for a little while as a hypotherapy horse so she must have behaved very well at one point.
thank you all for your great answers so far! and i’m sure the owners haven’t pawned her off on me. I chose to help and her owners are fantastic people! They have put a great deal of love into all of their horses and if this horse was just going to be a pasture horse then she’d be considered an extremely sweet horse. she’s just not great to ride….yet!
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This is not the behavior of a horse forgetting it’s training because it hasn’t been ridden for a while.
What you are describing are bad habits that she has learned to get out of work. Most likely by getting away with it by being ridden by inexperience children. Some of these behaviors are actually dangerous.
What she really needs is professional training. Even then, and even if you get her to behave for you, she will never be a safe beginner’s horse. She will most likely always be looking for a chance to take advantage.
She may make a nice horse for someone who has the experience and personality to not take any of her stuff. It sounds like she has brains and has figured out how to get the best of the people around her. She needs someone who will demand respect from her and not allow her to pull this stuff she will then be able to live up to her potential.
ADD: Some therapy horses only need to walk quietly on a lead rope with a rider and not spook, bite or kick. If she is lazy she may have liked this job. And she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to try to rub people off.
I know that it can be done…
When I was 16 I started riding a well known show horse in our area. Before I rode her she was in pasture for FOUR YEARS. She was 10 at the time and in a matter of 4 months we were back to being in her prime. I was slightly frustrated when I was going through this because all I was told was "you can’t do it, that horse has been taught that her job is to eat grass in pasture, not be ridden" Well that show season I took her to my county fair and received 1st place high point, we tied for a rotating trophy, and received highest Dressage score of the fair. If you stay level headed about you will do fine. she is 5 so the training is somewhat fresh. The attitude you are gettting is just her rebellion. Don’t get frustrated with it, just take it day by day. Always end on a good note and praise her for everything that she does right. Once you get her working you will be able to feel her buttons and she will be a lot more enjoyable. Good Luck!
I’d question what the owner’s idea of well trained is. Horses that have been ridden by children who are inexperienced frequently learn they can get away with bad habits. You have to have a good seat and be firm to deal with horses like this. It probably wouldn’t hurt for a more experienced person to ride her. Well trained horses don’t forget their training in a couple of months. Well trained horses that have learned they can get away with stuff, will continue to try it. Maybe she had a physical problem (teeth, back, sore feet) that is causing this, but it sounds like she either wasn’t that well trained to begin with, or she’s learned some bad habits. You need to go back to basics with her, and if you are inexperienced with training or riding, it would be best to have an experienced rider help you.
My horse does the same thing with the head shaking and stuff. Doesn’t normally try to run me into trees but tries to go where he wants in a trot. Constant work with him though has gotten him better in only 6 weeks. Granted he’s not perfect yet but he’s getting better. He used to be in a hackamore and I tried a bit and he was really spooky in it, so I went back to a hack but didn’t have full control. I finally got him a bitless bridal and it does AMAZING so that could be it to. Your horse may need something different. Play with all your options. Check your saddle to make sure it fits right. I think with time everything will get better. Also don’t take offense to this but you sound like me and are too nice. If she wants to stop and stand there turn her head to touch her side and make her turn tight little circles. Any time she acts up make her work hard so that she decides that misbehaving really isn’t worth her while.
You seem really persistent–that’s an awesome trait to have! I can sort of relate to your problem. I have trained horses from when they were yearlings…it can be frustrating. My advice would be this:
*be firm-let your horse know who is boss!
*if you need to(i’m not sure if you do this already) wear spurs and carry a whip. It helps a bunch! When I am training my green-broke 2-year-olds, the are life savers!
*You say that your horse trys to sneak over to the fence–work him (lope of gallop, make him uncomfortable, anything you need to do) in the places where HE wants to go, and let him rest (walk or just sit there, etc.) in the places where YOU want him to go–reward him when he does what you want him to do! That is what I did when my horse had alley ploblems (refused to go into the arena during a barrel racing). It applies to anywhere and everywhere and helps A LOT!
*I know that it might seem impossible to get your horse to do what you want him to do, but one thing that I have learned in training my horses is that if you keep working with them, they will eventually get it. Right when it seems like there is nothing left to do, they learn it! Just be patient–it seems like you are VERY patient–i admire that…it is hard not to lose your temper
Also, the horse you are having trouble with is 5 years old–that is a great age to start doing "hard" work! If you know of anyone that is interested in buying him, ask what they would be planning to do with him. If it is jumping, start training him in that, etc. That is, once he remembers what he has been trained to do
I hope it helps! If you have any questions, just write!
Oh and btw I do believe you can handle him. With your positive attitude and perserverance, I’m sure you will be able to tackle the problem!
send her to a trainer for a 30 day refresher course.
It just takes a very short time for a well trained horse to become a jerk when a jerk rider rides them and does not make them mind. The horse may just be one of those that has never been well trained and they just poned him off on you.
We have bought many suposid jerks for real cheap and found that with just a few rides they remember what they were trained and become perferct animals to work and handle.
If you ride well and know horses, If he were well trained at one time it should take a short time to figure him out. If he keeps doing stupid things with you, you may have to consider that he never was well traine d and it may take some major surgery to fix him.