Need some advice

[sanna]

Hi there!
I really need some advice (or at least a shoulder to cry on).
I recently joined a riding club and we share five horses amongst us, and there is this one horse that I really have problems with. He hates ring-work, and becomes the master of evasions. I am not a strong rider. I used to ride as a kid for about 4 years (off and on) then I started taking lessons again for about 4 months before I joined the club (lessons were at a different barn). I started taking lessons at the new barn when I joined the club but unfortunately the instructor can't teach me right now because she has to help with the horse camp that is taking place at the barn during the week, and we can't find a good time.
So, this one horse hates the ring and is good for about 20 min and when he gets bored he evades, for example he inverts and pulls his head sideways and tries to run (not very fast) into the middle of the ring and towards the gate. It is so frustrating. Some of the stronger riders that have ridden this horse report the same problem only they can deal with it. Their advice is that when he tries something like it, use more leg (actually "if you have to, give him a kick"). But somehow that just doesn't work for me.
When I rode this horse during a lesson, he tried the same stuff and my instructor told me to keep him thinking. e.g. walk over ground poles etc.
I think I'll have to stop riding him, because he is destroying my confidence. I really thought I could learn to ride him in the ring.
Is anyone dealing with a similar problem or does anyone have any advice???
thanks sanna

[Horseyheaven]

My horse is like that!

Montana tolarates 10 to 15 minutes of schooling then lets you know when he's had enough usually by napping towards the gate or throwing in a few bucks

As long as you keep his mind ocupied and challemged riding lots of serpintines circles pole work etc etc he's ok

when he does do it i always take him back to the place where he tanked to the gate and make him ride towards the gate over and over untill he realises that it doesnt work......with a riding school horse its gonna take a lot longer to see the results as obviously other ridrs have let him get away with it so he keeps doing it!

[Horsegal014]

My horse does the same thing! If you dont keep her mind working she'll make up her own fun (usually involving anything along the lines of, bucking, finding those "invisible" monsters, diving into the middle....you get the picture) so just a few minutes before her attention span is up I'll take her out of the ring and mosey around property, either down the driveway or along the trail for a minute, then go back to work in the ring. Some days, if possible try to work in a different area, new scenery can make a difference too. Hope things go well! :)

[sanna]

Thanks guys for your advice. I went on an awesome trail ride last night with this horse, and he is a completely different horse on the trail. Unfortunately he doesn't like to go out on the trail by himself so I can't always do that. I think when I can't take him out on the trail I'll just plan to ride him for only 30 min in the ring. That way we both are happy. There is the option of riding him in the field next to the ring. But I am not sure if I should do it, because it is not fenced in. So if he took off I am not 100% sure if I could control him with no other horses around. I think I'll stick to the ring for right now unless I can trail ride with someone else.

Thanks again. It's good to know that I am not the only one with this problem. I can't wait to start lessons again. I think my instructor is about to fix her schedule so I can ride with her again.

[Tootsie4U]

Ever hear of the phrase "Ride every stride"? It can have several meanings, but where it applies to you is that you have to try really really really hard to keep his attention. You have to be super attentive to what his body language is telling you. You have to "feel" him every stride and constantly check to be sure you've got his undivided attention.

What I mean is, fix his wondering mind before it wonders.

Easier said than done, I know, but it can be done ;)

[sanna]

Tootsie,

I think you're right. I think one of my problems is that I can't stay focused myself. That could be one reason why after about 20 -30 min he tries to get his way. I'm just not focused enough. Part of it is that the more he tries to act up, the tenser I get and the less I can focus. During the trail ride last night, on the way home I practiced using my weight only to control him. I had his reins loose and with every stride I was thinking either straight or right or left. And he did bend accordingly, basically with every step I repeated to myself the word. I think this helped me focus to control my body enough. I'll try that the next time I ride him in the ring and see if it helps there as well.
Great advice thanks.