Horse problem......?

Question

In one week, I'm going to lease this horse. Shes really difficult, but everyone trusts me on her. I rode her yesterday in a schooling show and she threw her head back into my face and would go really fast. I didnt get placed because everyone seemed to have these perfect horses and I didnt have one that did everything right. She's a regional champion and shes a good horse but she always seems to have something up her sleeve. Does anyone hve any tips for me?

Answer 1

Let's not assume it's just the horse here.

Showing her your the boss by yanking on the bit, or even by just taking too strong a hold, can cause exactly the behaviors you describe.

Was that your first time riding her?  If so, a show is not best suited to getting to know a new and difficult horse.

Take your time getting to know her.  Do things slowly, working on her "tricks" as you go.  Don't act like it's a war, act like it's a relationship.  

For example, when you want to slow her down, don't demand with a long strong pull on the reins.  Ask.  Give and take the reins, by pulling gently and then releasing until she slows.  I don't mean no contact (assuming English) I mean soft contact.

Check the bit.  Sounds like she may be overbitted, either for her or for you.

The two of you don't sound like the ideal match, but no doubt you have your reasons.  Good Luck with her!

Answer 2

Do you have a trainer? Why would you lease a horse that is obviously not very well behaved? Sounds dangerous, lease another horse before you get hurt!

Answer 3

Give her half halts when she gets too fast or try a different type of bit. There is a horse at my barn who gets going to fast and won't stop, so she was given a Pelham bit to control her better. Do the workers at your barn feed her? See if it's possible that you feed her. She will respect you if you provide her food. Also, you should be visiting her almost every day if not daily. Try to graze her or brush her for a bit to establish a bond. How would you like it if someone asked you to do work and didn't reward you? If these don't work, ask your trainer what her previous owner did to get her to behave for them

Answer 4

Definetly sounds like she needs a head cue.... she needs to be checked with side checks and lounged. Once she starts giving to the bit herself you can transition to a draw rein, then a running martingale. Or tie down....!

Answer 5

TRAIN EVERYDay. this will show your horse you are in charge.

A horselover

Answer 6

I think you spending more time with her and making bonds will help her come to want to bow down to you. My horse that  i have an amazing bond with, would do anything for me. Also, to help, I ride my other horse everyday. It makes my horse very mellow with everything he does. Another thing is, I would lunge this horse until she is worn out. Then put her back in her stall.

I think the reason she is doing this is because your new. She thinks she will get away with things with you. I know you have shown her who's boss. But you need to do more to earn that respect. Make a bond. Have her trust you. Dont do what SHE wants, have her do what YOU want.

you can do it! ((:

Answer 7

ya learn her learn  what she may do like for prevention of the head thing maybe try troping you hands that way it will be harder for her to bring her head up and try practising out of the ring but act like your in it make her think she is

Answer 8

Take a deep breath. Mabey you are tense. Or anyother factor that my old horse did was if i pinched with my knees he would do that. Try relazing you leg down so your heels go down. All of your weight should be in your heels... DO NOT grip with your knees. Try that. If that does not work sofen your lower back and sit lighter. Every horse is different and you just have to get usted to them... it will take you a while it took me 3 months to get usted to my horses huge stride.

Answer 9

Don't lease this horse. She may be a regional champion but it sounds like you need to lease a more "experienced" horse so you can learn more.

I'm sure you're a truly good rider - but you still sound like you need more "confidence" - translate: practice - to handle a mischief maker like this one in the ring.

Besides, who needs a fight and a battle in the ring or in the field. That's no fun at all.

I'd lease someone else - not this horse.

Answer 10

get a good instructor that can help you.

has she got a martingale? if not, try her in one of them so this can prevent her from putting her head up. try a running martingale.

and a stronger bit? so you have more control over her when she does do something silly.

Answer 11

Don't lease this horse. Obviously there has been some pre-show preparations to allow this horse to be regional champion.  Absolutely refuse this deal, no matter what the owner says.

Answer 12

sounds to me like she is testing you. i think you should start taking lessons on her every week with an experienced instructor. she also could not like something about the way you're riding her. my friend has a horse just like yours. he throws his head and tries to run through the bit. with the help of our instructor, she realized she was hanging on the inside rein with a deathgrip! she is working really hard to fix this and her horse is going much much better. also, she might be in heat. that would cause her to act like a witch. so i guess my adive would be: get a great instructor and take regular lessons, be willing to work hard, and cut your mare some slack! i hope this helped and i'm sure if you stick with her you will be able to have a fun and fulfilling showing career!

Answer 13

Its like anything else in life Jen.  You have to train, train, train.  It like when you meet a new friend.  They dont know U and what U are all about right off the bat.  You have to get to know each other and each others desires, wants and needs and respect them.  Maybe she doesnt like the way you pull her reins or maybe she senses you are apprehensive and she, like a child, wants to see how much she can get away with.  Be the boss and let her know, most of all, that you love her.  Good luck Jen.

Answer 14

You need to train her everyday, if you don't already.  The "recipe" for a good horse is consistant training+long rides+wet saddle pads, meaning that you must train every day or 6 days out of seven, you must train her for a while (over an hour is good) and you must work her hard enough so her saddle pad is wet by the end.  Even though you know you need to be boss, she hasn't figured it out yet.  The fact that she is a regional champion shows that she knows how to be good, she just doesn't want to.  Get her on a longe line next time you ride, and see how well she responds there.  If she isn't perfect, improve her.  So many saddle problems can be fixed on the ground.  Teach her how to back up (with purpose) on the ground.  Next time you go to a show, longe her right after you get there to remind her that you are, in fact, in charge.  Once you have her respect, all her other problems will go away and you will be left with the regional champion you know she can be.

Answer 15

Head up can mean a number of things. If its exuberance then training will help. It might be pain. (Teeth & or back)

Does she do this at other times or just at shows?

I would not recomend using a martingale as this may well give her something to pull against. You are then in the nasty position of having to containe a developing habit.

Being interpressure animals horses lern to release endorphins in stressfull situaltions by leaning on things. Wind sucking is another example of this.

How old is she. Does she play up near to her seasons? All these things need to be concidered when having a mare.

I have one my self. For 3 weeks she is a pussycat, as her season approaches she is not so nice to be around or work, so we play. She is 4 and we have all the time in the world.