My perfect horse.....but?

Question

I have found my perfect horse! She is a perfect height. She is 12. She is very pretty. She is a pure angel when doing ground work, and in her stable. She is great to load. And is a perfect weight. She is at a reasonable price. She can jump like a stag, and she is black with a very straight white blaze and two white socks (I am hoping she will grow two more to even things out!!)

BUT, and it is a big but

She gallops off whenever I trot her to the back of a ride. And I quote from a question I read yesterday. *It is like the bit is not even in her mouth*

Is there any point taking her on a trial, to send her to a trainers? Or is there no point trying to change her at 12?

Answer 1

"She gallops off whenever I trot her to the back of a ride."

What do you mean "Trot her to the back of a ride?"

Answer 2

She may just be seeing where the boundaries are with you.

I have always always walked or trotted my horses home, so they are calm-ish when we get back, but one of them used to insist on trying to gallop her way home as well, as soon as she learnt that as soon as she galloped on the way home I was going to stop her and make her walk it off, she started to behave herself. Now I have a problem getting her to trot off her ride, she walks all the way home now, she's learning that she's allowed to trot home though.

I don't think you need a trainer, go for her, if this is her only problem in the scheme of things it's a minor thing that you can correct yourself. Set her boundaries, don't let her win and she'll learn, if she doesn't with you setting the boundaries then maybe think about sending her to a trainer, but I honestly don't think it would be necessary.

Go for it if you really think she's the perfect horse, it took me a while to find my two perfect horses, they have their faults, but I love them and wouldn't have them any other way.

Answer 3

well, that is a problem. but practice can stop it.

if you buy her you'll get to ride her more and maybe figure it out without taking her on trial or anything.

&if you really love her you might want to get her before someone else buys her (personal experiencee !) & i regret it alot.

Answer 4

she is just exited to head back to the barn so try to make her trot alot! if when shes trotting and she starts to gallop (considering shes 12) pull her in a tight circle. Do this so she know when i dont listen its only gonna tak even more time to get back to the barn. No, I wouldnt send her to a trainer.

Answer 5

anything can be changed with time and trust.

work with her everyday.

when she starts to do that, pull her back make her stop and start all over, you might even want to try a new bit....

Answer 6

Have you tried circling her?  If you can pull her into a circle every time she tries to take off she should soon realize that she isn't going to get anywhere.  

It sounds as if she has pretty much learned that she can get away with it so it might take some time.  But you should be able to tell when she is going to try it and head her off.

Answer 7

This is not an issue that cannot be fixed.  It's her mind that you want to deal with and correct, not her mouth...Have you ever lead the ride, rather than bring up the rear?  Do you ride her alone oftern (not with other horses) so that she learns to listen to you and not being just "part of the pack".   When you say, "at the back of the ride" do you mean, riding alone, but coming back to the barn or do you mean, you are trotting at the tail end of other horses?  If you are alone and she is doing that, then you have a barn sour issue to deal with, and that is also something that you can deal with as well...I won't go into the different things that you can do to correct this, but feel free to email me if you want.  If it is barn sour though, you can begin by just putting the halter on her and tying her up when you get back to the barn.  NO REMOVING THE SADDLE, NO BRUSHING, NO RINSING, NO GOING BACK TO BE FED IN A NICE STALL, etc, etc, etc.   Make home not quite so homey, after at least 30 minutes to an hr, then unsaddle her, groom her, etc....There are lots of other things that  you can do without involving any abuse...after all, it's their mind that you are working with.  You should be able to ride any broke horse and be in control with just about any bit, even if it's only a mild snaffle...  Oh, by the way, if you are referring to her being able to grow taller, not a change, she is 12, and finished getting taller..however, if she is in poor flesh and her flesh is improved, she will (because of the extra flesh) be a little taller and appear larger.

Answer 8

You can ceIrtainly try to fix her habit, there is a pretty good chance you will be able to if you but in the time and effort.

Try to keep a nice, slow sitting trot- make her think. It sounds like she's just taking advantage of you. If she starts to speed up when you don't ask her, do a half-halt and turn in a circle- anything you have to do to get her to realize this is not good behavior. Good luck, she sounds lovely!

Answer 9

hmmm hard one, try her on a trial, and see if a stronger bit is better so you have a bit more control on her if she does decide to be naughty.

Answer 10

My pony used to do that. It depends.... If you and a trainer are willing to work with her for a while then get her.

Answer 11

As much as I hate to say this, she might be too dangerous for you. I was working with a 5-Year old quarter horse mare one time, and was loping her on the property. I had never had any problems before, but then some horses came by and all the sudden she took off. Like you said it was as if the bit wasn't even in her mouth. The really dangerous part was this was very rugged terrain, and I was almost thrown. Unless you can get a trainer who has the tools to fix this, you would do better to look at something else.