I just got a new horse but...?

Question

I just got a new horse. She's a really pretty bay roan quarter horse. She's really nice, but I'm worried I made the wrong decision. I have another horse that I've had for years and I wanted a challenge. When I went to try her she was great, but now that she's home she's becoming a night-mare. She deosn't listen to me. When I'm leading her she pulls back and sometimes the rope slips out of my hands and she runs away. I have a really hard time putting her bridle on and she wont stand to be saddled. Once I'm on she's okay, but I need to get her to listen to me on the ground. What can I do?

Answer 1

I was at a clinic where we did ground work (last weekend) and the lead rope kept slipping through my hands too, and the clinician suggesting tying knots in it for better grip. It really worked, and if it get's a little dangerous (if the horse is rearing or whatnot) then you can just let go.

As for her manners, if you just got her, let her settle in a little bit. I've always let my horses settle in to a new place for a while before I even work with them. If it's a permanent move, like to a new stable (like your new horse, I'm sure) I usually allow them to be a "pasture pet" for about a month before I do any hard work. I'll take them out and lead them every once in a while and maybe go for a ride, but pretty much just let them stay out in the pasture.

Just keep working with her. Some things to work on -

Bring her into an enclosed area (arena or something) and practice walking very slow. Try to work up to making her take one step at a time and only when you ask for it. If she is as bad as I'm picturing, you should make her walk a couple steps, make her stop and put her head down. Do all of this with light pressure on the halter/lead. It helps if you hold the lead line at the buckle, because if she goes to walk away, you can correct her faster, etc. When she stands nicely for a couple seconds, ask her to walk a couple steps again, and then stop and put her head down. I'd work on this for a half an hour, then give her a break. But I might do it several times a day.

You could also work on a lunge line, I would do it without any tack, sidereins, surcingles, etc. Just a halter and lunge line so she can get some of her energy out and still develope some respect for you. At first I would work on upward transitions, since it sounds like she has some energy and these will likely be easier for you to ask for. Obviously you'll need to ask for downward transitions, but make it a minimum.

Lead her around, and when she pulls back, jerk on the leadrope and follow her until she either stops or you can get her to walk with you again. (Jerk once on the leadrope, eventually she should stop pulling when you jerk on the lead.)

If she does get away, go get her, return to the spot where she got loose, and continue whatever you were doing.

I wouldn't try and tack her up until you have basic ground manners developed. Once she leads decently, continue working on it but add in more training - maybe to stand for grooming. Then you can work up to standing for saddling, and eventually for the bridle.

Make sure her tack fits properly and there is no pinching or discomfort.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Build up her trust!

Give her little pieces of carrot of something if she's being good, go into the field or stables and give her loads of cuddles and kisses, don't ride yet, just love her show her you care! =]

Answer 3

I just had to say, I'm jealous!  I want a horse. Good luck!

Answer 4

We had a little Paso cross gelding that became a nightmare the moment we got him into the barn from the trailer.  Wouldnt bridle, wouldnt stand. wouldnt lead.. wouldnt be caught in the field.  ran way on the ground..  Under saddle he was alright, but a bit balky.  

A friend who was into all the " new way of horse training"  suggested Monty,  and that other bloke from australia.. and then pat.. then another woman.. I admit.  I am Old school.  I learned classically in germany in the 1970's.  Xenophon and Alois Podhajsky are and will always be my heros in horsemanship.  Their methods and insight still work, and produce horses that are responsive, not fearful and are very willing to move forwards.   This little guy absolutely refused.

Finally my friend handed me a worn copy of TTouch, by Linda Tellington Jones.   I read it.  tired it.. and it worked.  Especially the grid work she explains.  It got him trusting of people on the ground. Opened him up so he actually came seeking people and turned him around.  I've used it ever since with horses that are the least bit resistant on the ground.

Answer 5

well, I don't have horses but my friend does, and I think that you should hold something to get her attention like her favorite   food or something.

Answer 6

I would suggest that you first, try training her with a halter and leadrope.  Horses that haven't been trained with one tend to pull back, rear, and sometimes fall over (that's what happened yesterday as I was trying to halter train a foal).  But, first, just try putting the halter on and off, and give your mare pats, for when she successfully gets it on.  Once she's fine with that, try leading her.  Even if she moves forward a step, pat her on the neck for a job well done.  And finally, I think your horse needs to get used to putting the saddle on. Just take it one step at a time.

Answer 7

ah yes, the overly annoyed mare. trust me, this is a mare thing. my oldenburg does it all the time. here's a few little techniques i use to overcome these nightmare days that every mare has.

in order to stop the pulling back issue, every time you lead your mare, carry a long whip [dressage whip, or even a crop will do.] in your left hand. walk with your horse on your right, with a good bit of slack in the lead. your mare should walk obediently beside you, even with the slack there. you need to make sure you're walking at your horse's shoulder. some horses are very responsive to your position, and if you get ahead of them, they tend to pull. whenever she pulls back, simply stop, make sure you're lined up at her shoulder, but do NOT look her in the eye. take your whip, and lightly use it to encourage her foreward. you dont need to crack her hard, but a simply tap right on her haunches will do wonders. if at first light tapping brings no response, increase the amount of sting created by the whip [hit a bit harder, but dont be mean unless you have to.] until she moves foreward. once she steps forward, you do the same, walking with her at her shoulder. everytime she pulls, repeat the process, asking her to 'walk on' as you use the whip. [verbal commands are wonderful on the ground.]

the standing to be saddled issue is a bit tougher to tackle. if you use cross-ties in an aisle way, and she'll stand clipped to them without rearing or trying to break lose, there's always the option of leaving her stand there for a bit. she may dance and fuss, but eventually she'll get bored and settle down. you can always look into ground tieing, i always make my mare stand by herself like that so i dont need to worry about the cross ties.

for the bridle, you'll want to work on asking your horse to put her 'head down'. using a chain lead, simply slip it through the halter and across her nose. when she's standing, tug gently on it, the whole time saying 'head down'. that'll be your voice command. whenever she begins to lower her head for you, praise her with lots of pats and love. once she learns that 'head down' means she needs to be good, you'll be surprised how much easier bridling will become.

i wish you the best of luck with your new mare, i know they can be tough to deal with and rather frustrating, but no matter what, you have to try to keep yourself from being aggitated. mares like to push your buttons if they can, and you just cant let her win. most of all, you have to show her who's boss. once she determines you're in control, things should be much nicer for you and your horse. i really hope i've helped a bit, and once again, congrats on your purchase, and good luck in working with her =]

Answer 8

this is exactly what happened to me i persisted for 3 years and now its ok.  i suggest you persist in trying to train her or ask the previous owners, becasue they should have told you.

if shes fine when your on, and your planning to keep her maybe get someone experienced or a pro to help you gain respect.  also maybe its just that the horse doesnt trust or know you yet.  it might come in time as she gets to know you. good Luck

Answer 9

ask the old owners if they had any problems.. and if so, what to do

or just work with her. maybe wear gloves to get a better grip on the lead rope. make her stand, it will take more than just you. you have to make her listen, and when she doesnt.. try trotting her around, make her know that, when she doesnt listen, she will have to work, and just if she keeps moving, yell HO. and if she stands, continue, if not, trot her around.

she'll start getting tired and listening to you

hope this helps

Answer 10

Hi

I had a similar problem when i bought my horse. When i tried her out at the place i bought her from she was ab fine. Then when i got her home i tried to ride her the following day, she would not let me mount her, she just kept moving and playing me up so i left it as a bad job.

The problem for my mare was the fact that she needed time to bond with me, after a few months of grooming her and talking to her, feeding her treats she became a lap dog, and now 18 months later she follows me around like a lost puppy. She even stands still while i get on her now and never puts a foot wrong.

You dont say how long ago, or recent it was that she came to you. maybe lay off leading her and riding her for a few weeks and get to know her by doing the things i did with my mare, she should become your best friend after a few months. Dont forget the new place will be strange for her too, so maybe just let her settle in for a while and then re try taking hre for a walk etc on the leading rope. but remember patience withn her too. Also before you ride her maybe lunge her so she gets used to listening to what you want and not what her previous owner wanted out of her.

Good luck

xx

Answer 11

she needs to be disaplened by a professional trainer they know how to do it in a kind gentle way. it might also be that there's something wrong with her so check with the vet and if you have another horse she might get angry if you spend to much time with it. she also needs to get used to you so hope it works out for you.

Answer 12

First buy a control type halter such as the 'Be Nice' halter. That or use a stud chain wrapped around her nose and clipped to itself (not as severe as how they are usually used)  This will get her attention.  Use this while leading but do not tie her with it.  NEVER tie a horse with a stud chain or a control halter unless the halter is specifically made for that (some control halters are made to tie with).  A quick tug will get her attention when she starts acting squirrelly.  This includes when she is paying attention to where the other horses are when she should be paying attention to you.

Second use a lunge whip when working her.  when she does not show you respect then tap her on the  lower legs.  Do not actually 'hit' her unless she rears, barges you, or something along those lines.  Tapping is all that is needed to get attention.

Since she is a puller tie her up and leave her for 2 to 4 hours.  Do not release her until she has spent at least thirty minute standing quietly.  Use a stout rope and halter for this that she can not break.  This will take care of most pullers.

Another trick I have used for hard core pullers that really works well is to tie them to a four wheeler and put it in first gear.  When they come keep it slow and easy but when they pull back hit the gas just hard enough to make them speed up slightly.  They typically learn that they need to come when pulled.  I had one older mare that burnt my hands many times until I tried that.  It took two lessons of about 5 to 10 minutes each.  She never did that again.  Her main problem was that she had been worked by kids that let her do what she wanted.

Answer 13

well. . . my horse (after a year of being "retired") had horrible ground manners. he wasnt the best with ground manners when we first got him either, so what it takes is alot of time, and alot of Patience.  i'm sure you already know that you're horse can sense how you feel.  so this horse knows she can get to you and how to make you frustrated.  

my suggestion:take extra time, move slower, and make sure that you are firm with the horse.  when she starts to act up, take it one step back and go at it slower. it is not going to be easy/fun/quick to fix it.  but if you go slower, be more firm, and relax more i'm sure that things will go smoother.

my horse was hard to put a bridle on as well (when he didnt want to let me do it) so again that took time and moving slower/more firm.

i'd keep the halter on his neck and make sure he was still tied to the cross ties.  when he'd toss his head, i'd wait till he was done fussing, and try it again. if he tossed his head again, i'd gently but firmly take my hand and bring his head down slightly... i'd still let him hold his head up high, but i wouldnt let him toss it around. then i'd wait a few more until he was comfty, and try once again. i'd keep doing this slow firm way until the bridle was on.  never be in a hurry when working with horses (or old people, lol j/k.)  you might just want to take a half hour (or however long it takes) to just tack the horse up, walk her for a few then get off and untack her.

those are just some suggestions, idk who would or wouldnt agree with me, but it did help with my horse.

Answer 14

do ALOT of ground work  it seems she respects you in the saddle but not on the ground. so do alot of ground work lik parilie and lunging and make her listen and hope fully this will work hope this helps she sounds lik a great horse

Answer 15

Sounds like you need some professional help. I see that she has gotten away from you at least once and thats bad. Horses learn from owners mistakes. Obviously she has your number. She knows that if she puts up with an argument she always wins because you dont have the patients to teach her. Giving up is the worst thing to do. Probably when you got her home she was testing you and she learned she can get away with bad manners. I would go get some lessons from someone that can handle her and teach you how to handle her. Maybe all you need are a few lessons every once in awhile.  Good luck.

Answer 16

It sounds like she is challenging you ya know to see if you are worthy enough to handle her and that kind of stuff the key part is don't give up

For the bridle issue you need to get a stool or just jump up and hold on to her until you get the bridle on so she knows you aren't going to give up and eventually she will give in and start accepting you and you guys will be able to improve more because you are a team and won't be working against each other

for the saddle probem i would pick one day to not ride and just put the saddle on and take it off but i would try it different ways like show her the saddle pad and then put it on her and than take it off and show it to her and keep doing that untill she is good for that than once the saddle pad is on show her the saddle than put it on leave it on a few seconds and take it off and show it to her again and do that until she is good with the saddle then keep on doing that over and over taking everything off and showing it to her when you take it off and put it on I have tried this before and it has proven to be affective

for the leading i would first put a chain over her nose and not make it a threat but just so she knows you are there and get her to listen also tie a knot in the end of your lead rope so it won't slip through your hands as easily and when she is being good give her treats and pats so she won't want to run away

anything else you can think of to make her want to be with you should help