I just started leasing a horse, but I have a few questions.?

Question

I just started leasing a horse three days ago, and I love him already. lol. Anyway, when we are riding, well, there are a few things that he has trouble on.

1. He can't walk/trot etc. in a straight line. He's always moving and swerving.

2. When I ask for a lope (western) he just does a faster, bumpier jog. Like an extended trot or something.

3. When I'm riding with someone else, it's hard for me to control him. He always wants to follow the other horse.

4. Sometimes on the trail he breaks into a jog to get in front of the horse in front of me.

5. On the trail, he is always reaching for leaves.

Is there anything I can do to help him, or stop him from doing these things?

Or, do you think I may be doing something wrong?

(By the way, he is a 23 year old Buckskin Quarter Horse Gelding, if you need that info.)

Answer 1

1. keep him against the rail and keep your reigns short. also keep your leg on him

2. i dont ride western, sorry. but i know for cantering, you sit deep, squeeze with your inside leg, and keep the inside leg forward, outside back.

3. do partly the same as in number one turn him around in the opposite direction or make him lead.

4. sit back and say whoa or hoe, or however u say it.

5. pull his head up so he doesnt do that. a horse i rode did that and i pulled his head up and squeezd to keep him focused on the trail

im not an expert but i hope that helps :]

Answer 2

You sound like your in a bit of a bind. I find this happens with a lot of people who lease horses. If you want the simplist solution I would suggest leasing another horse that rides better for you and is more what you are looking for. If you want to know if it is you or the horse that has the issue, ask the owner of the horse if they will ride him while you watch and ask them to do the things with him that you are having trouble with. If they have the same trouble with him that you have been experiencing then you know that the horse never learned to do the things you are asking of him/ he just doesn't want to or they don't know how to ask him either and he may have been taught a different cue. If he does it for his owner ask them if  they will teach you how to accomplish those things so you can enjoy your riding time and not have to take all your time training a horse that you are paying to ride. If you don't mind taking the time and have the patience to train/retrain him than go for it. It sounds to me like he was probably a trail horse at some point in his life and for quite some time (but who knows?). Most trail horses are trained only in the basics and only walk/trot and usually only lope/canter if the horse infront of them does. They usually only  ride the same trail over and over and are trained to follow another horse or are used as the lead horse or both. If you wish to stop him from eating the leaves when your on the trail ask the owner if they have an english bridle with a flash. A flash is designed to hold the mouth shut when riding and discourages the horse from playing or chewing on the bit and keeps the bit in place. It would discourage your horse from biting at the leaves considering he would not be able to open his mouth to get them  and eventually he would stop trying when he figured out he couldn't accomplish his task no matter how hard he tried. I hope that this helps you in some way. Every horse is  different and has a past that only they truely know. I wish you the best with your endevour and God Bless.

Answer 3

I know he's older but you need to start back with basics with this horse. Put him in a small closed area tacked up. Get in the saddle and gently lift up on the right rein. As soon as his nose tilts up, immediately release it. Do it over and over and over and on both sides until he's very supple.

  Turn him in tight circles six times one direction and six times the other way.

  Your horse is herd bound. Round pen him and every time he demonstrates like he wants to get back to the herd make him go forward. When he pays attention to you let him rest.

  You can even round pen him with a pasture buddy in the pen with him. Whenever he is separated from the other horse let him rest near you. When he wants to be next to the other horse, make him move. It takes time but he will get the idea. He'll be as good as the amount of time you can spend with him.

Answer 4

the straight line thing... may be you giving him mixed signals with your hands and where your center of balance is...but mostly, it sounds as if he was poorly trained.  where are you leasing him from... etc. a stable, a trainer or what?

Answer 5

First of all, your horse is a  senior citizen, meaning he's old,but I have seen horses live past 30. I had a mare to live the ripe old age of 32. Horses are browsers ok,that is in their nature. When you go into a store and you are shopping you grab this and this and that etc.....  same way with horses, he sees a tasty leaf he is going to grab it to eat. Don't be surprised when he puts his head down to graze while your out riding. You are allowing  him to some of the things he does. The trotting ahead? pull back on the reins make him walk along side the other horse. Find out who owned this horse and because he was trained to follow other horses. Ride by yourself to show your horse that is ok to walk alone. If he spooks on the trail,don't scolled him ,get off, take him to what scared him and make him stand there and you get what it was being a paper sack  and rub it on him until the fear is gone. Get to know this horse after all, you'ev only known him for 3 days. Longing on longe line always works to help a horse improve his ability to please you.  If it is hot where you are , longe him in the early mornings or late in the evenings over heating you horse can be fatal. Longe him in a circle with you in the middle of the circle. Don't forget to say "good boy". They like to be praised too. Lots of petting bonds your relationship with him and he'll want to please you more while re- training him.