Round Pen Training

[meko72]

I brought my horse to the round pen for the first time this past weekend. It was a nightmare if I can say that. I had my Horse (Unico) very calm and he is Halter broken and somewhat lead broken. We where walking out of the stables and he was fine, but the moment I got into round pen he started rearing up and bucking. I finally got him settled down and I unhooked the lead and started to let gallop alittle around the pen and all of a sudden he turn and charged at me. He charged at me three times. The first two times when he charged at me he vired off and was ok and the last time he charged at me he was hooving and showing his teeth. What do I need to do for both of our safety. Is there anything else I need to know because This the first horse I have started to train.

[galadriel]

Has he been mistreated in a round pen? Has he been mistreated, ever?

[meko72]

Unico is 10 years old, I just found out that he is "Proud"cut. I do not know for a fact that he has been mistreated but he does show some signs of it. The previous owner didnt really work him at all. Since he couldnt get along with other horses they just keeped up in the stall. T

[Tootsie4U]

Did this happen immediately? Or did you walk him around a bit before he freaked out? Has he ever been round penned before?

It could be a few things, but more info. would be helpful ;)

[meko72]

I didnt walk him around on the lead but he did walk around a little bit before he freaked out. I think the previous had him in the round pen before..

[galadriel]

Originally posted by meko72
What do I need to do for both of our safety. Is there anything else I need to know because This the first horse I have started to train.

I'm very sad to tell you this, but what you need to do for both your safety is to work with a horse who is not dangerous. It would be dangerous even for a highly experienced person to work with this horse.

No matter your experience otherwise, if this is the first horse you've ever trained, you will be in jeopardy at all times. He is not a kind, forgiving horse; he is a horse who may well have hormonal problems and definitely sounds like he has been badly handled in the past.

Any horse who would lunge at you with teeth bared and legs flailing is not a horse for a novice trainer.

[meko72]

galadriel,

Thanks for your concen! Should I go ahead and sell him or take him to a professional trainer..

[CityGirl]

Meko72-
Were you the one that just discovered that you horse had been "home-gelded" & that it hadn't been done correctly?:eek: If so - there are way too many issues going on here. If you haven't had him long, the previous owner should be willing to take him back. If that's not an option, I would strongly advise contacting a trainer in your area to eveluate this horse before you try & sell him on (you don't want to be liable).
Good luck:(

[Tootsie4U]

Hi Meko.

Sorry to see that this isnt a happy post, especially after your last one.

It sounds to me like your horse has some major underlying issues. That does not mean he is a lost cause though. For your own sake, if you are not comfortable or COMPLETELY sure of your horse handling skills, then I suggest seeking the help and advice of a person who does. And, be careful of who you go to. You really have to be 100% in charge of this horse. ANything less and he will have you for dinner. Dominant one day, and a big softy the next will only lead to trouble. Right now, you cannot be your horse's friend, you MUST be his leader. If you are not ready for that (and it does break your heart at times) then please find someone to help you. You mean well, as Im gathering from your posts, but loss of confidence and/or trust in horses is not worth the risk.

Since you say he started with these actions in the round pen after he had been walking around a bit, it really sounds to me like he felt threatened in there. The whole point of a round pen is it makes the human dominant. The horse cannot get away as there is no exit and every inch of the pen is the same distance away than the other (esentially, the hores can not get away no matter how long or hard he runs). Since you both are still sorting out who's boss, he saw the threat and acted on it. Thats my assessment. It is NOT acceptable behavior. Next time (if there is a next time) be prepared and make no uncertain terms about it - he will do what you want him to whether he likes it or not!

Everyone here loves horses and will speak out when they hear of any being abused. But tough love is not abuse. If you round pen him again, you need to crack that whip after EVERY command. You should lead him shanked. If he steps out of line one step, tug! If he tests you and walks into your space, or even turns his head into your space (my horse used to do this and I first thought it was cute until I realized it was his way of testing me), put you fist in his face to turn him away! I said it before, Ill say it now, for the next few months, you cannot give him an inch.

Stallions have bad reps. Even if your horse was gelded late or improperly, it should be no excuse for bad behavior. Granted, there may be physical problems associated with it, but behaving badly for those reasons is not an excuse! Stallions have short fuses, and short attention spans, but they can be taught and ridden like other horses. You just have to state you claim and not falter in it!

The way I see it, you need to determine if you're up to this challenge, and if youre capable of attacking it. Is your horse worth all the work? Even if he goes to a trainer, you will need to be there the whole time. If not, he can come back from professional training all nice and calm, but the second he detects his human as subordinate, all your money and time will be lost.

Sorry so long, but I feel you need the help!

[galadriel]

How attached are you to this horse? Tootsie4U has had a good experience with a horse with a similar problem, so do pay a lot of attention to her advice :) You may prefer to discuss it more in depth with her and ignore anything else I have to say.

This is my take: He really doesn't sound like the ideal first training project. If you are willing to, you might want to consider selling him and getting a calmer horse.

The difficulty there is that, as an aggressive horse, you may have trouble finding anyone to buy him. If you sell him to an individual and don't tell them about the way he has acted towards you, you might be liable for anything that happens to them as a result. If you do tell them, they may not want to buy him (or maybe not pay a lot for him). If you sell him to a dealer, the dealer may drug him to sell him, and then he might hurt someone who thought he was safe.

Finding a trainer to work with him might be even harder; you would have to be sure that the trainer would be effective, but not cruel. A lot of trainers won't work with "problem horses," and the ones that do may be willing to use methods that are too extreme.

You're having a vet look at him, which is good. If you have him properly castrated, it may still take 6 months for his hormonal problems to finally go awa. If you are willing to put that time into him, and see what kind of a horse he is in 6 months, thats an option you could pursue.

Since they were not very honest with you, if I were in your place I would insist that his old owners take him back. I think you'll be a lot safer, and probably happier, with a nice, calm, responsive horse.