I really need some help with breaking my horse...

Question

Just recently, I bought a 3 year old filly. The previous owner had worked with her for about a month on the basics of riding, then, I came along and bought her.

The previous owner never really rode one on one with her. She has only had to follow other horses around when being rode, (turn when they turn, whoa when they whoa), so she doesn't know basic commands and depends on someone to lead her in order for her to obey turns and stops. She allows having someone on her back, but doesn't respond to the rider.

I have been working with her for a while, and she doesn't respond at all to a bridle. In fact, she tends to throw her head into the air and rear up when even so much as a little pressure is applied to the reins or bridle. She is a danger to ride, period. I have been thrown from her many times, and the person who has to lead her has also gotten injured. I don't want to give up on her learning whoa and turns, but my parents won't allow me to send her to a trainer, or to allow the previous owner to take her back (he has offered to take her back).

I wanted a horse to enjoy riding and caring for, but she is too much.

She is also a danger when leading with a halter, and just like the bridle, when any pressure is applied to the halter, she throws her head into the air and rears. She refuses to be tied and runs over me when leading her out of the stall. She is a big problem, but I can't just get rid of her. I really need help, and a trainer is out of the question, so...what can I do?

Please help!!!

Answer 1

breaking horses is bad.. it means you "Break their spirit"

training horses is better..

I went to college for 2 years to learn how to train horses correctly.

in order for them to understand the bridle you have to GROUND DRIVE them first.. look it up.

hire a trainer for 30 days...

or let previous owner take her back

your parents were wrong to select an untrained horse for you and at least you are smart enough to know it

let your folks see my answer.

Answer 2

Although this takes time and patience you may need to have somebody else break her. As you know horses are very large animals and it doesn't take much for a rider to get hurt. And in some cases people have been paralyzed or killed. Sometimes you need to take more aggressive action with a horse than you feel is necessary. They need to learn who the boss really is.

At times it may require you to grab her by the bridle when you are leading her around and yank her head down towards you as hard as you can to get her to stop bucking. And sometimes a professional trainer will wear smaller spurs to get the horse to respond. It sounds like the other owner didn't get much of the wildness taken out of her. It seems to be the little things that cause the biggest problems. She hates the bridle, reins, and the halter. So it could be something as simple that one of these pieces of equipment isn't fitting her right. And she is going to be defiant about everything. Or it could be that she just comes from a stubborn lineage. If her previous owner still has her parents you may want to ask how hard it was to break them. Good luck and keep on trying. The more she trusts you the more she will do for you.  

Answer 3

How much experience do u have with horses? I can help a little. my Dad told me a lot about breaking horses, never did it myself though. u can also go to library and get books on horse training. or u might try 4H clubs of america.u can also contact me thru here for further help. Training is very time consuming, and you must have patience.

Answer 4

Thanks for some of the advice on my question.

The day I bought her, I had the chance to ride her mother. Her mother is a well-mannered horse. Her father on the other hand, is a Tennessee Walking Horse who is located somewhere else, but is thought to be well-mannered also, and she isn't ignorant to any degree, she just needs a lot of adjusting.

I have had many years of experience with horses of all sizes and breeds, and have trained some to a few things. I have owned a Quarter Horse mare, and a Percheron/Belgian Gelding and have worked with about 15 horses total.

I have tried so hard to take my horse back to the owner, since he originally wanted her for shows, and I want a calmer horse that is easier to handle anyway, and if nothing else, I want a trainer, but my father won't allow it. He hasn't had any experience with horses and doesn't understand the severity of the situation, even though he has seen me get thrown many times.

My horse has established some trust in me, and she knows that when she acts up, she is punished with sharp smacks and/or vocal sounds immediately, and rewarded when she is good, so distiguishing bad from good isn't a problem.

Keep posting advice, please. I really appreciate it.

Answer 5

You are wise to realize this horse is too much for you and is dangerous for you.  You shouldn't have to handle her; you're risking your life.  She'll only get worse as she gets older.

Try to convince your father of this.  Get a whole bunch of YouTube videos of people getting hurt - maybe then he'll see.

Can you just refuse to handle her anymore?  What would happen then?

Or can you ask your father to lead her?  Maybe when he tries it he'll realize how dangerous it is.

Is there anyone - an adult, preferably - who can intercede with your father and help him see the problem?  Can you talk to a trainer, or a teacher or counselor at school, and get them to help?

I really advise you to try more to convince your father and less to work on the horse, no matter your experience level.  You may get badly hurt.