Comments on: Horse training issues? Please help?

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:24:37 +0000

My QH is very high strung. Even after riding for hours and hours, he is still that way. As far as the head slinging, I changed bits and that helped. He is tender mouthed. I even tried a bosal, that was fine, until he bolted with my husband last week. In the round pen, the bosal is fine. Do you lunge or run in a round pen before getting on him? That may help some. But, he could just be high spirited. I have been told numerous times that QH are very laid back. I don’t always agree. I have been on more, usually with great bloodlines, that are high spirited. We once had a 17 year old gelding that was so high spirited. My sister wouldn’t let me ride him when I was a kid. She and her husband could barely control him when he went into the arena. So, I only got to pleasure ride, never barrels on him. But, maybe since he sat up all winter, that could also be part of the problem. Just ride and ride and ride some more. That is what I have to do with Jo. He has calmed down a little since last summer. Not a whole lot, but especially not as spooky. Just work on walking him first. Don’t try trotting and running, he could bolt since he is already acting up.

By: Ru

Ru — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:24:37 +0000

Always lunge him or trot him on a lead for a half hour or so before you ride. Also, put him on a feed that has low starch, low sugar, and no molasses. If you can, put him on only 8% proteins, and if he’s still hyper, cut out grains entirely and give him free reign over pasture grass and hay.

Exercise him at least 4 or 5 days a week, if you can, go for 6 days a week. When riding, keep him busy and keep him focused on what you want to do. Don’t let him idle or put his head down for grass.

My horse gets spunky every spring, as well, though he usually calms down after a few days of good exercise. Also, if your horse isn’t exercised that much already, build up to it slowly, over a course of a few weeks, to prevent him from getting too much of a lactic acid build up and then tying up. (Tying up is when the lactic acid (that stuff that makes muscles tender, sore, and tight after a hard work out) gets so built up that the horse can’t move, in which case a vet needs to be called immediately, and the horse should not be moved from his position.)

By: ♥Smokin' Jelly Bean♥

♥Smokin' Jelly Bean♥ — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:24:37 +0000

Ok…a couple of things:
1- I never get my horses teeth done unless it’s by an equine dentist, because the vets do a crappy job (no offense) and they change the angles of the horses teeth completely.
2- I think that your horse needs more discipline. When he starts to toss his head, pull on one rein only in a jerking motion… I know I will get thums-down for this, but it’s true. My horse used to toss her head until I did this, and now she stays in frame for the whole ride.
3- Maybe also try loosening the reins if they are tight.
4- Lounge him before rides?

By: sparrow

sparrow — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:24:37 +0000

Very simple :
Horse wants to go faster + You are shorter on the reins so as not to go faster = Head tossing

Do allot of circles for now and try to operate on one rein at a time for awhile.