Unbroken 8yo

[unicorndanca]

Would really appreciate some opinions are how you would go about teaching an unbroken 8yo respect.

[Showjumper]

Exactly the same as you would with a younger horse :)

Establish your space and ensure you are consistent and fair with him/her.

[Wally]

Flippi was an untrained 8 yo, Fattyhorsepig was a 8yo untrained stallion, trained and respectful in hand but neve ridden.

The same as training any horse, consistency and reward for the good and try not to be too hard on the bad.

[unicorndanca]

So basicly it shouldnt be any harder/easier than a young horse. Also this mare has just been kept as a companion to another horse since a yearling. In general she seems quiet but is a bit free with biting. Would apprecaite opinions on best ways to put a stop to this. Many thanks in advance.

[chev]

No harder at all. One of the nicest mares I ever rode was broken at eight.

Biting can be a pain, in more ways than one... when she goes to bite you can try really facing up to her, and growling 'no' or similar as loudly as you can. If she has bitten, then a good sharp smack on the neck with your growl helps, or backing her away from you and asserting yourself. If she's really nasty with it try this - the minute she bites, you have a screaming tantrum, kind of like what toddlers do in a rage. You don't even need to direct it at her - just stamp your feet, wave your arms about and yell. I tried that on a confirmed biter and it cured him in seconds.... don't think he ever wanted to see that again! Not one to try in company though...

Biting, if not indicative of a problem, usually gets better once the horse realises you won't back off and you won't put up with it.

[Wally]

Yup, growling and using aggressive body language back seems to stop the biters I have known. Don't hit him, it will just make him headshy. Growl and slap your arms down by yoursides and make a noise as you do it and invade his space with meaning. He'll soon learn that it won't gain him Brownie points.

Old Fattyhorsepig was trained to ride and drive late in life and was a joy to own and ride, he always was placed at shows and at X crountry training days he was always the grandad who gave the babies a lead around the course. He was one horse whom I would drive without a passenger as I could trust him 100%

More damage is done training too early than late. Hákon was introduced to driven work last month at 10, you can teach an old horse new tricks so long as you and he trust each other and you asre kind and consistent.

I have this mad idea of teaching Torfa (15) and Sæla (9) to drive and be pairs. They like each other a lot and are similar in looks. I have no qualms that they would do anything other than play my silly games.;) :D :D

[Wally]

...forgot about Ugla, bought her as a 9 yo brood mare, never ridden. She is the horse we introduce folk to lateral work on as she's so good at it and likes doing it. Took about 20 minutes to get her used to a new idea and she's never looked back. She was a bit of a dominant mare to begin with, but she's a joy.

[Mehitabel]

i've found with breaking/training older horses it can go one of two ways - either they're bored to death of being stood in a field and are thrilled to be doing something, or they like their life of leisure and see no reason whatsoever why, after however many years doing nothing, they should suddenly start having to work.
as the others have said, go just as you would with any other horse, but just be aware that you may have trouble with the 'shan't, never had to before, not going to now, set in my ways' thing later. hopefully your mare will go the other way though!

[unicorndanca]

Many thanks for supportive advice and opinions.