They all do that when their buddy is
ahead. Play "leap frog" with the buddy horse. You stay back and then pass the
buddy horse and let the buddy horse stay back. Do this several times at each
ride and it helps quite a bit.
They do have a hard time just relaxing and
walking when their buddy is ahead but the MORE they are exposed to it, the
easier they get about it. They fear they are getting "left behind" and the more
you hold them back and circle, the farther behind they get and the crazier they
become.
Herdboundess is such a natural instinct
and not one you will ever completely break. Just have to "manage" it as best as
you can. We go on conditioning rides in groups and let others get ahead and then
trade off, putting them behind. My youngster was VERY anxious with my daughter's
horse up ahead but the more I have exposed him to it, the better he has become.
He has learned that in a couple of miles she will stop her horse and wait for us
to catch up. That has given him alot of confidence. He does still get anxious
and jigs but has greatly improved as before he was cantering sideways in place
when his buddy horse was ahead! Even my daughter's wonderfully broke arab gets
very anxious and jigs when he is left behind the pack. Play leapfrog every ride
and you will have a less herdbound horse.
It also helps to have several other horses
with you so that the horse left behind is with another horse for added security.
We ride in groups and this helps alot. Try not to get too mad at your horse as
this will make him more anxious and scared. Its very scary being left behind!
Your focus should be on keeping him calm. Hope these tips
help. Remember too that it just takes many, many miles to get thru this and
there are no shortcuts. Good luck!
Hello~! My mare strides out more slowly than our TB riding buddy,
and when he gets ahead she starts to jig and attempt to trot. Ideas? I've
tried trotting in a circle as the western horsemen suggests, but that's hard
to do on the verticle trails we have around here (and dangerous). I'm
upgrading to a kimberwick to see if that helps. Thanks for the
advice!
Laura "Not all who wander are lost." (jrr
tolkien)
