How do i get through to my strong headed horse?

Question

I have a thoroughbred x quarter horse gelding, age 12 years old, who i have had for 7 months now. We have tried so many things on him, natrual horsemanship, and even stud chains and such, to try and get some respect from him. He gets in this mood, where when your walking him, he will try and drag you around, or be the lead of it, he will also rear up around you, when i let him in the arena, and swing the rope to get him to run, he will back up his hindquarters to me, throwing out kicks. He lunged at my dad about 2 weeks ago as well. Even under saddle he won't stop, and we have put him under bits from your every day snaffle, up to some of those 150 $ correctional bits. I'm unsure of how to get his respect, because I have tried lunging, and do all this backing up when he overstepped me, and adding stud chains and such. Well, one thing we thought was because he was proud cut, but even stallions give respect when taught right. I've never had a horse so hard to get through to. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I suggest you find a well respected trainer to work with the horse, a trainer who is highly experienced and has a reputation for success in training problem headstrong horses. A horse like that is a real challenge to patience and training skills and can be a bit too much of a challenge for a trainer with average skills an so I suggest you select carefully.  

Answer 2

Seek some proffessional help before you or someone else gets hurt around this horse, it sounds like he has some serious issues to work through.  

Answer 3

Reward every positive behavior you possibly can.  This horse hates people and has had some really negative experiences.  If he walks well on lead.  Pet like crazy, reward with treats do what ever it takes so he knows he did something right for a change.  He will continue to develop better behavior and a relationship with you.

Answer 4

My horse did that for ages and he would charge at you and try and scare you when you were riding and he is huge. I also tried all these different "restraint" methods but they really don't work. If he is not in pain and just being a pain in the *** then if he charges stand really strong with a leadrope and as he charges make yourself really big and shout loudly. It sounds just like he thinks he can boss you around. Horses learn who is in charge by manipulating other movements so do the same. Make him move out of the way, make sure you are leading and if he rushes put your elbow into his shoulder or shake the leadrope quite quickly until he backs up. Just keep going he will get better just make sure if you do stand up to him you wear a load of protection and can get out of the way if he doesn't stop. Good luck

Answer 5

When he pulls that junk on you slap him on the hindquarters. Not so hard but firm enough to let him know you don't like that and your boss. When he tries to pull junk when your riding him, hold firm on th reins unil he is done with his hissy fit.And don't let him buck you off. Have an attitude around him like you won't let him get away with anything. I had a horse like yours and he respected me once he new I wasn't going to take his junk.

Answer 6

sometimes you need to listen to small cues given by the horse and make quick reaction to prevent his behavior before it happens.

Make sure he's healthy and doesn't have back problems.

Try taking a different approach. Like a preventative approach. Don't allow the behavior to come about rather then punishing the behavior after it's happened. I hope you understand what i mean and good luck maybe consult a horse trainer.

Answer 7

It's obvious to me from your multiple methods and devices that have been tried and failed that this horse is more than you are equipped to train on your own.  By your own words, you have never had a horse so hard to get through to.  Experienced trainers have dealt with many like this.  You need a professional trainer, or any trainer, that is experienced with handling a problem horse with dangerous behavior.

My advice is to turn the job over to someone who has a great deal of experience and success in handling such a horse.

Answer 8

The studs sound horrible.

I read one time in a horse book that it is a question of dominance.  I remember that you are supposed to face the horse while holding the side strap (I don't know what it is called) and you are supposed to make a low rumble sound in your throat and breath through your mouth real close towards one of the horse's nostril.

I suggest that you ask some old timers who know about horses.  And what happened to the reward with a carrot or apple approach in training? Kind ways with animals not harsh and hurting things.

Please do some reading.

Answer 9

First of all, mechanical devices will not solve your problems with your horse.  It appears you are correct in that he does not respect you, but that is not his fault.  It sounds like you need some help with your horse, and that would be the best suggestion.  You mentioned "trying natural horsemanship" but you have only had your horse for 7 months.  Think about it, it has taken him 12 years to get to the point where he is now, and I can only imagine what has brought him to this place relative to his behavior.  Gaining trust and respect and correct response from a problem horse can take a long time dependent upon your level of expertise and how much time you can spend with your horse.  Most people who say "NH doesn't work for my horse" are those who spent about 10 minutes attempting it and then abandoned the method as unsuccessful.  You can only be as successful as the amount of knowledge YOU have.  Because your horse is unpredictable, he is dangerous.  It sounds as if neither you nor your dad has the ability to help this horse.  So, get some professional help or find him someone who has the ability and willingness to help him.  Problem horses are usually passed around all of their lives because no one is interested enough or cares enough to do what it takes and spend the time and effort and maybe money to be effective in helping them to calm, happy, and safe in their lives.   As far as I know, there is no such thing as "proud cut".  That is an old term that has outlived its viability.  Your horse has serious behavioral issues probably resulting from how he was treated by humans in the past.  It will take a lot of work to get him to trust and be confident in himself and in you.  Be careful.  Nothing is worth gettiing hurt.  I hope you are able to find someone to help you help your horse.

Answer 10

Monty Roberts.  Look up his website get his training tapes or books the man is really good at this kind of behavior.

For one no more riding you need to focus just on ground work until you have the horse listening and responding on ground work then you can ride.

I can't say it enough people do not spend enough time on ground work they want to ride heck so do I but respect, manners, training all starts with ground work.

Here is a very basic description on Monty Robert's style.

You need a round pen, lunge whip and lunge line.

Get him moving around you on the lunge line or you can go free style.  Stand with your eyes on his, your chest always facing him.  I stress keep him moving at the very end of the round pen far from you anytime he steps in towards you confront your full chest to him look him direct in the eyes, if needed step towards him and do NOT back down if need use the lunge whip to smack on the ground and "push" (not phyically) back out and moving again.  

Keep him moving until you see signs they are:  Ears on you (the inside one preferrable both) l*****g and chewing, then head going down.  These are submissive signs and mean he is submitting to you and wants to come back to you.  Horses are herd animals not loners.

When he is making all those signs (remember you are always facing him direct with your chest always facing his head and eyes on his) then you slow him down, drop your shoulder and turn your back to him signalling he came come to you and he should give him time might take a few minutes etc..then he will come to your shoulder.  Now you have respect and connection.

I strongly advise you read Monty Robert's books this is his method and I just gave you a very basic outline.  Have someone with you to watch the horse when you drop your shoulder and as back up.

Good luck