horse doesn't like having halter put on!!!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

At the barn where I go to, I often used an appaloosa horse named Hoosier. When I first went there (I've had about 11 lessons), Hoosier gave me no trouble at all when I put his halter on. Well, two lessons ago, he was outside. So I went out to put his halter on. He definately showed me that he didn't want to have his halter on, because he ran around in circles. It was impossible for me to get him. So, my instructor went out to get him, and finally got him. Then, when he was in his stall, he put his head in his feed bucket, and wouldn't let me put his halter on. He seems to be getting stubborn too. When I rode with another girl last time, he wouldn't lead the way. He wanted the other horse in the lead, and when I tried to pass, he would suddenly stop. I slapped him with the rains, but he still wouldn't move until the girl was in front again. :( Could someone help me with these problems? Its probably my fault.?.

[fiesty_filly]

Some horses just aren't leaders!! They have no want to be in the lead having to fend off all those wild chipmunks and squirrels!! Others get mad when htey are nt in the lead, it all has to do with how dominant the horses are. For the halter problem I really don't know what you could do, I would suggest using treats but you said you already tried that, so I'm as lost as you!!

[Peace]

Sounds like you did exactly the right thing by asking your instructor for help. The horse may have just been pouting because he didn't want to go to work - I knew an appy once who would stop and lie down in the middle of the ring when he thought it should be quitting time! Some appaloosas can be a little opinionated:)

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks!
But what do I do if my instructor tells me to pass? Hoosier won't move with me on my back, and I know that. Should I just make a circle when I get to close to the girl in front?

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks Peace!!! :)

[Peace]

I'll bet your instructor knows Hoosier's bad tricks pretty well:) . She might one day ask you to try to get him to pass, to see if you can overcome his stubborness. If you can, that'll be great, but if not, just know that it's not your fault and have a good laugh at the balky beast. (Often the best way to deal with aggravating mammals, humans included, is not to let on that you're aggravated :D )

You're right, circling him is a good thing to do. Horses are kind of like magnets - the closer they get to each other, the stronger the attraction - so circle him while he's still some distance from the other horse's hindquarters.

I'm hoping you meant that Hoosier won't move with you on HIS back - not that he's putting you on your back :eek: !

Good luck - everybody who's ever ridden a balky old schoolhorse knows exactly how you feel (including, I'll bet, your instructor)!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Yeah, I meant with me on his back. :o :D :o Sorry about that!!

[floppy]

my horse doesnt like being in frotn of other hroses on rides..she hates being last but wont lead..so she has to be second in line or next to the leader.
I ride out alot with my friend and if she stops her horse my horse will walk on a few steps and stop dead in her tracks until the other hrose is back by her side...sh eis getting better though...with the help of my firned we are teaching my horse that being left behind isnt a terrible thing and catching back up with the other horse shouldnt be like trying to win the grand national!

I also know a horse a riding shcool horse that puts his nose in his bucket when you try and ehad collar him but that is usually due to the fact he gets a little afternoon treat and if someone tries to take him out of his stall before he has had a few carrots he puts his head in his food bowla nd wont budge until he has had his snakc

[TBgrl]

the horse I lease wouldn't let me bridle her today, fortunatley I had enough time to wait her out and keep trying. Go with enough time to work at it for a while, and also I would suggest going out to the field to visit with some carrots, so Hoosier knows you're someone he likes to be with. :D

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Thanks TBGirl!!!! :) Thats a great idea. Why didn't I ever think of it. :confused: :) I could just go like 15 minutes early, and if I bring some carrots, that should tackle the problem!!! :D Thank you so much for the advice! :)
~~Sarah~~

[SweetHillsGurly]

appys are known for being stubborn. i think they're a great breed, and that's just one of their quirks. lol. anyway, the halter thing.... use food lol. for now anyway..... try to enlist your instructor's help. some feel more stubborn when they're out in the open. as for the trail and the ring... some horses(many lesson horses, i've found ;) ) don't like to pass, they like to be behind, and won't pass. my advice..... don't flap the reins. that doesn't get you anywhere. DO carry a riding crop. when i've ridden some horses, just carrying it helps, you don't even have to use it. i know it sounds harsh, but it works!

[CrazyfurAnimals]

If I did bring food, do you think he'd learn to expect that though? I've heard stories of things like that happening, and they have to bring food all the time, or the horse gets nippy. Is that just a myth, or would the food really work? Thanks!! :)

[floppy]

i always give my horse a horsey biccie after i have put her halter on and lead her out of the stable and tied her up. She normally waits at the door for me when i open it and puts her head straight inot the halter but if she doesnt and walks right back to the end of the stable i follow her and put her halter on and give her the treat thre.
She also use to be a real pain in the rear end when you took her out to her field and would try and run off before you had even walked in and closed the gate so now i always take a treat with me and walk her into the field, clsoe the gate, then ask her to stand patiently, take her head collar off and then give her the treat - Bu tonly if she does all of what i ust said, otherwise she doesnt get a treat...and because she is soo in love with food she tends to choose to obey me.

[SweetHillsGurly]

don't over feed..... use enough that he knows if he's good he'll get it, but not so much that he runs you over looking for it.

[ANDY]

Hmmmmm

I was wondering if you were able to pass and lead in the past and this has just started to happen. Also if the other girl was riding a mare.

What prompted me to think about this is when I was riding the other day my horse would lead if you wanted to but on this day he wouldnt pass the girl in front. If she broke into a Canter my horse would canter but then when he caught up he wouldnt pass her. After the ride we were discussing it and the girl said her mare had started to come into season that morning and of course my horse being male reacted the only way a male knows how. So just a long shot but perhaps this might be what happened in your case. Dont know if it would effect the halter but it may make him behave strangely.

Regards aNDY

[Yann]

Read your comments on apaloosa's and their stubborness with interest - I often ride spotty Dominic and he can be a complete cuss in the school. He does a nice line in evil stares and tends to stop and do little bucks if he thinks he's getting too much whip.

He loves to follow too - it can be very hard work keeping him on track when I pass the pony lesson:D

Lots of people dread being given him to ride but I love him to bits, he's usually OK for me and I've learnt lots on him (and built up my leg muscles!).

Totally different horse out on a hack though, steady and willing:)

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Hey Yann, you described Hoosier exactly!!! :) :D :)

[CrazyfurAnimals]

I just wanted to update you a little on the halter question.

I did try using the carrots like you all said, and it worked wonders!!! :D :) :D Last time Hoosier wouldn't let me put his bridle on again so I opened up my bag of carrots. He heard the wrinkling and pricked his hears up. :) I gave him one piece of carrot, and while he was munching, I quickly slipped the halter on. As soon as it was on, I gave him the other piece of carrot for being such a good boy.

Thanks everyone! :D :) :D Now I'm not worried about not being able to put the halter on anymore. :)