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Angie,

I think Jim is right on the money on this. The horse is in charge. He is carrying out his own agenda even if it means running you into a tree. He could care less. Solve it and he will probably be a good horse. Don't solve it - you could be dead.

A horse that runs me into a tree throwing a "temper tantrum" had better kill me or else he's dead meat. I have one that had his own agenda and damn near killed my wife before he became mine - that's why he became mine.  He had a "religious experience." He's still has an opinion and he still gets fired up but he knows exactly how far he can go and how far not to go.

Truman

Jim Holland wrote:

Angie, I've seen this MANY times at a boarding barn where I use to "help".
I got to take the horses in and out.  I learned how to "fix it" here.  Ask
Flinn Anderson about her horse "Beau" sometime.  This is nothing more, pure
and simple, that he thinks he's Chief-Honcho-In-Charge.  You need to bust
him down to "private"...hard...and you do it with GROUND MANNERS. He is
obviously not ready to be seen in public. He needs to think that you are
going to "rip his hide off and feed him to the wolves" if he even "thinks"
about misbehaving...in fact, do it while he IS thinking about it! :) He is
arrogant and obviously thinks his agenda is more important than yours and he
just "goes along" when it's convenient.

Magic did all those things...and more...when I got him at 4 1/2.  There are
lots of ways to do this. IMHO, forget about riding until you improve his
ground manners. I didn't get on Magic other than in the paddock for
"mounting lessons" for a year.  My method is in the articles on the SERA
website. 

There are MANY other ways...round pens are useful...find something that
works....and SOON. He ain't gonna get better...fix it, unless you just like
living dangerously.  What he does in the pasture is up to him...but he
should show up in the presence of humans with his "hat in his hand". As John
Lyons says; "You ride the horse you lead". 

Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic (Always trying his best to keep Dad
from getting upset) :)
  

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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!
--Benjamin Franklin