First ride on my loan!! PLEASE READ!!!?

Question

Ok, so i have just got a loan. shes lovely. 14 years chesnut mare. im going to be riding her for the first time on wednesday, the owner is taking her other pony and we are going for a ride round the bridlepaths so i know where i can go. (there is no sand school) im a good rider and confident, but i need help! the owner told me she tries to turn round back to the yard when you go down the lane to all the fields. does anyone have any tips how i can keep her going forward so she doesnt turn around?? please help me

Answer 1

Check out some websites or go to www.westernhorseman.com and purchase the book on problem solving.

This is a common problem often called "barn sour" and will take time to overcome.  The horse has learned it will be allowed somehow to go back to the safety of the barn where it can relax.  They're pretty smart.

You must teach her she has two choices:  do what you wish or work - and this book and sites like those for Ray Hunt will help you.  

If you have access to RFD TV, there are also shows on by Chris Cox, Pat Parrelli, Dennis Reis and others that will teach these things - perhaps checking out their website will help.

There are many ways to overcome this and they all depend on the horses' background and experience.

Most of all, have patience, don't get frustrated or angry.  Pull her off to one side or the other - when she does what you wish, reward her with praise, when she doesn't, make her do something like walking in circles.   Basically, what you need to do, is take a few days and focus on this problem.  Practice walking away - and when she's walking very well away, turn back toward the barn, then turn back away - the idea is that you'll be teaching he it's your decision when you will turn toward the barn and when you'll go away.  My guess is that when you are out of sight of the barn, she's probably fine, but when she knows she's going back to the barn, she probably gets antsy.

One of the big reasons horses get this way is either because someone has allowed them to run home all the time (because it's fun to run and they go faster toward home) or because she's had some bad experiences and riding away from the barn is not fun.  she must be taught through kindness and patience that what you will be doing will be fun for her - you cannot run all the time and you cannot ask her to do more than she's comfortable with.  For example, if your ride requires she always step over or through a creek or go by something else that scares her, you must work through these things to the outcome that she's no longer afraid of them - because until they cause her no fear, she will not want to go there - believe it or not, one or two times through a trail and the horse knows the way, better than you do.

There are lots of reasons that perhaps you will never know - but get to reading or watching videos rented or purchased for these things - once you learn to break bad habits properly, you and that horse will have a much enviable relationship built on understanding of each other and trust.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Any time I'm on a horse like this I get his nose pointed in the direction I want and then give him some leg with authority.  Usually means that I'm kicking hard a couple of times. Most horses will try you seriously at least once, but once you show that you are a confident and competent rider then they usually only give half hearted protest after that.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Congrats on your new horse!!

Your horse is "Barn Sour"........firstly...does she do this when riding with other horses or only when alone?  If when alone, it is possible that she does not want to leave the "herd"....or perhaps is a scaredy cat being alone or has had a bad experience or is just sour and is testing you to see if she can get away with it.  You mentioned that the owner said that she "tries" to turn around and go back to the yard...but being that you haven't ridden her yet..perhaps she won't do that with you.  She is probably just telling you some of her quirks...so you know what to be aware of so there will be no surprises.

Knowing this, you need to prepare yourself of what could happen and be ready and armed that you know her little trick and she can't get away with it!!  Push her..kick her...use alot of leg pressure .....carry a crop and if she tries to do it with you, insist that she heed your warnings and show her who's boss.  Be assertive and not aggressive.

Until you experience it for yourself...don't anticipate the worst....just be prepared.  I would also suggest that you ride her around a little just to get to know her before going out on the trail and ask the owner what she does to correct this particular habit.  Also, ask about other little habits she might have so you are fully aware of all the could do's!!

Will she be kept at the same place as the owner or are you moving her?

Have a great ride and take the time to get to know your horse first.

Answer 4

leg, leg, leg! but first, make sure she is listening to all of your cues. back her up every time she gets ahead of you. good luck!

Answer 5

Keep your leg on to keep her forward. If she turns her head use the reigns to keep her straight. If she swings her bum around, put your leg back and on to block it. I'm sure the owner will give you some tips too. Good luck.

Answer 6

Congrats! She s barn sour (of what I understand). Make sure you keep a tight grip on the reins and always be alert. That s the best advice I have got for you!

Answer 7

well you can ask the owner what she does, but if she doesnt give you a good answer...

lots of leg

look forward

sit deep in the saddle

push her on, give her some rein, but not as much as to where she can turn.

turn her head the way you want to go, look that way, and use your leg

hope this helps you!

Answer 8

if the horse is insistent on turning toward home, and does not listen to your leg cues, or other ploys..and the horse gets turned the direction she has in mind....go with that...continue turning, turning, turning till you or the horse is dizzy...then when you are pointed in the direction that you want to go...stop her...make her stand, then urge her on in your direction...if she again wants to turn her direction and succeeds, (by this time she should not succeed) then again..turn, turn, turn, then stop in the direction that you want to go..continue this exercise till you get it through her head that she is not going to win this one...it will not take long for her to realize that you are not going to let her have her way.

Answer 9

My pony does this too, but don't let it put you off the pony you are trying out! She will not be  used to your way of riding so just stay confident and ask the owner if she knows anyways to keep her going. Just don't get worried about, she will be happy if you stay happy!

Answer 10

Try not to let her turn around! My horse also does this and whenever she tries I open my arms so that which ever way she tries to turn her head she cannot, without EVER pulling on the reins. I will keep a gentle and consistent pressure on with my legs. Eventually she will get the message and move forward. If she does manage to turn around and face the way she wants to go, we stop turn the way I want to go and start the process again.... It may take a while but it is a matter of patience and consistency.