Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

If you are sure that this isn't a pain related issue then yes, it's a training issue.

 

Horses are herd animals, they like to be with other horses. This is all from the very root of their existence, safety in numbers after all. Horses such as your horse aren't comfortable mentally out all along in the big bad world. They are frightened and don't have a lot of self confidence. Have you ever seen a really nice horse that just goes boldly down the trail, reins flopping in the wind, nice steady gait, it looks effortless. This takes a ton of training on your part.

 

The first thing you need to do is get your horse focused on YOU not the fact that other horses are off in front and he's being left. He needs to know that his job is to carry you safely down the trail at a speed that you set him in and he's not to go out of that speed until he is told to do so.

 

It is much EASIER to break habits by PREVENTING the behavior in the first place, rather then try and ride it out, then punish the horse after the act. As we know this is much harder then it really is. We all have had a horse jump out from under us with in seconds flat. What I would suggest that you do is to really ride your horse, not just sit on his back and go for a ride. The moment you feel the horse starting to do something that tells you he isn't focused on YOU do something to regain his focus. The trick is to notice the moment he's not focused on you. First clue is where his ears are pointing. If they're up and not flickering back listening to you, that's a clue. If your riding along, your horse slows his gait, his head goes up and those ears are pressed forward, stop, back up a few steps, if the trail is wide enough leg yield him over, ask him to flex through his poll and withers, get his face to soften up in your hands and not have his jaw clinched. Do this over and over until that horse is listening to you, then DROP THE REINS and trust your horse to make the correct choice. If you hang onto his mouth your picking at him and not giving clear instructions, this will only frustrate him even more.

 

So again, prevent the behavior PRIOR to it happening, this means its your responsibility to ride, not be a passenger and look for clear signs your losing your horses attention. The moment you feel he's not listening to you, get his attention ON YOU. Soon your horse will start looking to you for directions and safety. He's going to see something way on down the trail and he will feel your hands, seat and legs against him and this will reassure him. Your horse sounds (please don't take this wrong) but immature about being all alone. It doesn't sound like a barn sour issue but a herd bound issue. He wants to be with his buddies and if you're still on top when he gets there, great, but he's not going to go out of his way to make sure you are. Its up to you, to get his horse re focused on you and nothing else what so ever. You're the leader, now be the leader but remember do NOT pick at his mouth, this will only frustrate him even more and you'll get a horse diving through your hands, his head will go up and he will start bolting or rearing with you. Its very important to give and take not use solid pulls on the reins.

 

Good Luck!

Char