How to...............

[unicorndanca]

Would really appreciate some info on how to block/stop a horse suddenly turning round left/right when out hacking/trail riding. This problem has just started in the last 2 weeks and am sure he is doing it just because he can eg I want to go this way and he says no we're not! I know this is due to my riding inexperience and so would like to learn more. If we are trotting/cantering etc I seem to be able to get him back on track or stop it happening much easier but when walking there is much more of a battle of wills and it's like arguing with a brick wall going round and round in circles. I know it's most likely the wrong way. It is extremely tricky when I am pulled into trees/prickle bushes thus really wanting to learn how to stop/block this sudden change of direction(am positive he looks for the trickiest spots) Seems like we are having a 'who's the boss' issue and sensing my inexperience he takes full advantage of the situation. Any advice/suggestion I am very thankful for :D

[Sharon H]

Are you talking about your 3yr old?

[Shiny McShine]

You should try to keep him going the way you want by making sure you are directing him that way and then I would use a whip to remind him you make the directions. It can take quick reactions, because some horses will try to go back the other way(most won't), you need to keep him on track and drive him forward and continue in energetic trot or canter, whichever you are most comfortable with.

Whenever your horse wants to go his separate way you should give him a tap with the whip and head of energetically, in the direction you choose. :)

By going off in an energetic pace it helps keep the horse straight and helps him understand exactly what you want.

[schimmer]

If you're sure he's not scared, try the following.

I've had similar problems and was very successful using my leg and hands the following way:
If he's going to turn left, apply left leg, open right hand (open your hand to the side, not back) and lower left hand to shoulder. The leg asks him to straighten, the right hand opens a space for him to move into, and the left hand ensures that he doesn't drift through his shoulder. Be light with the aids as you don't want him to turn right.

Try to anticpate him by recoginizing the signs that he's thinking of dodging left and gently applying above aids so that he doesn't have a chance to. This is much easier than correcting after he's already begun to turn.

Eventually you should find that just a touch of your leg and feel of your right hand straightens him out.

If he's already turning and above aids don't work, you can continue turning him on the circle in the direction he picked. This isn't supposed to be punishment, it's meant to make his turning into hard work, so that it's easier just to go the way you want - straight.

[unicorndanca]

Yes I am talking about my 3yo. He is not frightened when he is doing this and it doesn't matter if we are going away from home or back. As I said I think he does it with me because he can and I have to learn to be boss and not him. We always seem to do the circle turning until he's sick of it because if he is walking leg aids etc don't seem to work (maybe I'm doing it wrong) but I can get him in line alright with trot/canter(is that weird?) Sorry about being so ignorant as I don't usually use one but which side do you use a whip on???

[Dizzy]

Could you have lessons on an older horse so that you know that you are giving the correct aids?

Your horse is very young, he needs lots of clear, repetative, sympathetic guidance. Sometimes they seem unwilling, this is because they have a limited (if any) understanding of what you're asking - plus its hard work! You need to be confident and clear in what you're asking, and sympathetic to what he can do.

Instead of thinking of him as a horse who misbehaves with you because he can, think of him as a baby that does not speak your language, and is trying as hard as he can to understand what you are asking but failing miserably, instead of been offered a clear explanation your Mum resorts to giving you a smack with the whip. Your first emotion will be hurt, followed by utter disapointment and loss of trust, then you'll become mistrusting and belligerent, and stop trying to understand because you no longer trust or respect your Mum. Please bear in mind what he is being taught now, he will carry for the rest of his life.

Please don't think I'm being mean towards you, I have a young horse myself and we haven't been without our problems.

I wish you and your lovely youngster all the luck in the world, but please for your horses sake get some professional help.

Lesley

[Sharon H]

I agree wholeheartedly with Dizzy.I would guess from this and your previous post about the problem with the hedge, that your horse doesn't actually understand your leg aids. A horse has to be taught to move off the leg, it's not something that 'just happens'. Who broke him in?
My advice to you would be to take him back into the school and get someone to show you how to teach him to respond to your aids.

[unicorndanca]

I understand what you are saying about him being a baby but am positive that he is a lot sneakier than you give him credit for. I have had experienced riders ride him and he tries the same thing but because they are more confident etc he doesnt get away with it. When I ride him I seem to be ok unless there is trees etc so now he only does it when we come across trees/bushes etc I believe because he can feel that I am nervous about being pulled into them etc. I am not the best/most confident rider but am sure my love for him and my determination will see us through. We/me managed to see through a bucking stage he had a few months back. Please do not think I would do anything to abuse him maybe being too soft on him is my biggest problem next to confidence. Thank you for your concern and suggestions. So far opening the rein where I want him to go has been of some benefit. Will keep you all posted on our/my progress.:D

[Dizzy]

The thing you have to stop doing is thinking that your horse thinks in human terms. They don't. When you he behaves with experienced riders, it will be because they are guiding and communicating with him constantly, tuned in to his back legs, encouraging direction with thier weight, leg aids and reins.

Young horses are very unbalanced, all thier weight is carried on the front legs which makes change of direction difficult, they are also very unaware of how to move thier legs individually, so when you ask them to move off your leg they need to concentrate and thier response is slow, so you need to think ahead and ask clearly. You as the rider must also be balanced and give clear, understandable and achievable requests.

Teaching them your aids is down to lots and lots of repetition and lots of praise when they move in the right direction. It takes a long long time before you can ask with your leg and the response becomes a reflex action.

I have a 3 yr old daughter who can recite the alphabet with no problem at all, she can pick out several letters but her understanding of the alphabet is minimal. This is similar to a young horses understanding of your aids, they pick up the very bare basics quite quickly, but need lots of repetition,help, guidance and tuition to understand fully - its not something that suddenly occurs, some days you think 'wow the penny's dropped' and other days are nothing short of frustrating, but be patient, consistent and clear.

One other thing I will add is that though I disagree with your opinion about him being sneaky, I do agree that they will challenge your position as leader. One thing my instructor has drilled into me is always ask yourself 'what am I teaching my horse?' in other words when things are going pear shaped and things aren't going to plan, stop, change the scene into a more amicable situation, go back to something you know they're good at, end on a good note and have a rethink.

I do admire your determination to try and conquer your problems and know that you love your horse as you continue to keep trying. But the greatest love you could show your horse is to ask for experienced help.

Your youngster is obviously a willing soul, trying hard to please, and you obviously love him immensely. So why not get the help you both need to get through this. Taking lessons is not something to be ashamed of, it is not a sign of ignorance, it is the exact opposite - its gaining the knowledge and experience to go on to greater things. I won't go into not admitting you need help as I don't like to offend :)

By the way what is your horse's name ? I've read so many posts about him, but missed his name.

Lesley

[unicorndanca]

I am the first to admit on needing help, beleive me:D :D I was having lessons when I first bought him but as I havent a riding ring or anything and he played up terribly in his paddock my instructor told me to either find another place for lessons or just practice and get confidence out hacking. I do riding club with him though. He has come a long way in the 4 months I've had him compared to what I bought him as although not as far as if someone really experienced had him I'll admit. I still believe there is an authority problem when it comes to trees and my original post was to get some ideas as to things I could try. I understand the majority of persons(their every reason being understable:D ) are against non experienced persons owning young horses. I do ride older horses etc and they also give me a run for my money (in lack of better words:D ) and believe it being because they sense any slight doubt in me and play on it. My confidence has increased heaps over the last few months even so. Please don't think me so stuck up to refuse help as these posts are in search of it and I am in contact with experienced persons continually but believe it or not I have found this forum more helpful. Everyones advice and oppinions I take into consideration and I understand yours and am trying my best. Hopefully the tree thing will improve with my confidence. If I thought my efforts were making him miserable I wouldn't think twice about selling him to a more kind, knowledgable home. Thank you for your concern and no you havent offended me :D :D. My horse has a lot of alias's :D but most people call him Nav or Navee(short for Navaho) which my friends named him as they couldn't stand the name I bought him with. I s'pose you've seen my pics in the general forum under 'pics of my baby'. Anyway thanks again.

[Dizzy]

I have seen a photo of him, he's a lovely horse.

Having a youngster myself, I'm no stranger to the problems your having just now - could probably add one or two, the truth be known.

I'm glad to hear you have help at hand when you need it, just before Christmas I had a friend come and help me. There's nothing worse than struggling on, on your own.

My horse Breeze is in love with gelding that she's turned out with - he's a TB and when the bad weather started he was brought in at night. She lives out and though she had two other mares for company, missed him and waited at the gate for him. He gets turned out at 9 oclock each morning. My horsey time is while my daughter is at nursery, which is 9 'til 11.30, so as he was being turned out she is brought in. This put her in a less than willing mood. We reached a point where she point blank refused to go forward, she backed up, stamped and bucked. I know she was being naughty, but with being so young did not want to argue with her, as when I was in the saddle it would be too confrontational, plus I would rather she responded because she wanted to.

I went back to long lining her, followed by lunging, insisting (not in an aggressive way, just being persistant, ignoring bad behaviour, waiting for it to subside and asking again until she behaved and was obedient) until she was forward going and obedient. This is what my friend helped me with, then I got on and she lead us. She came a couple of times and started by leading, but just ended walking alongside.

We are now riding out alone, Breeze is obedient to going forward, but we are by no means straight, but that is coming, there has even been moments (just seconds) when she's accepted the bit fully - total magic, just a tiny glimpse of the future.

We have miles and miles to go for her to be a good riding horse, gates are a huge challenge - and we don't have a ride that doesn't involve at least three (where only one opens easily) but we're getting there, she will now walk right up to a closed gate and stand while I open it (that took ages, I could read her thoughts, 'why on earth do you want me to walk right up to a closed gate?', now we've conquered that going back to close it just doesn't fit in with her logic - it can take about 5 -10 minutes!

I hope you and Nav manage to conquer your problems. I wish you both all the luck in the world.

Lesley

[unicorndanca]

Thanks for all your encouragement:D

[cloudnine]

Well, first, you need to make sure your horse is not doing this on the ring. If not, get on the trail. If your horse has been doing this for about 2 weeks, you should be able to sense when he's going to do it. When you feel that he's going to turn, keep both your legs on firmly and your reins on contact. Use both legs to drive him forward in the same gait. Keep his head straight! That is VERY important. A horse follows his head, if his head turns, he's going that way. So keep your horse straight and push him on. Also, is your horse alone on the trail? That could be your problem. Try trail riding with other riders and horses.

[FreedomStar]

my instructor taught me a new trick to help you stop the horse from turning left or right.

Say he was drifting left. All you have to do is Close your left leg, bring your left rein back, and open the right one. By bringing your left rein back towards your hip, you're trapping his shoulder so he can't move in that direction.

[Stella2]

Unicorndanca,

Sounds as if you are doing remarkably well to me. I worry about managing my 6 year old mare, but a 3-year-old, wow. I'm the first to admit I have relatively little experience with horses, but I suspect that both views are true - he is young and will therefore be easily confused without the clearest of aids, and also all young animals will try it on if they recognise that they might get away with doing as they please (I'm also on a steep learning curve with this issue). I do doubt though that his thinking is sophisticated enough to try to put you into trees deliberately, but I suspect you are saying that tongue in cheek :)

Sounds like you need to try to find a school menage to work him in until aids and authority are establised.

Good luck,

Ann

[3 day eventer]

if you are using a whip only for neccessary purposes. if you are going left have the whip in your left hand and going right have the whip in your right hand!