Why does he do this..?

Question

Whenever I try to tack up my horse he turns round the other way of the stable and just turns away when I come near him. When he does stop I find it very difficult to place the bit in his mouth as he doesn't open it..

I only got him one week ago, and he was vetted one week ago so it probably isn't a health issue... Could anyone help?

Answer 1

as the owner just like an annoying neice or nephew spoil and learn to love you have to be with the horse for more than a week to earn its trust its not like a dogs unconditinal love so if all else fails get a puppy

Answer 2

hes probably just stubborn! my horse does that to! but you should try working with him on that!

Answer 3

Turning his back to you is a message as clear as if he said "get lost".

It is also a bad habit that should be trained out of him.  I would insist that he is facing me and remains where I want him in all situations before doing anything else with him, and consistently reinforce that while I work around him.  If he is turning his rear toward you in his stall, you should not feed him until he faces you. It may be a waiting game at first.

I would use a long lead and whenever the horse is put back into the stall, he is directed in by sending him in that direction with one hand on the lead while you stand aside and just outside of the doorway. Once he's in, he is turned to face you  by pulling him around on the lead and halter ( with you in the doorway) so he is facing you while you remove the halter and lead. I'd find every opportunity to teach him to face you so that he knows it is the only way he gets what he wants.

Answer 4

I had a problem on putting the halter when i first got my horse, she would run around and not come to me , so i got some cookies(animal cookies) and she will come up every time now!!! you just gott to ern their trust!!! The way to a horse is through their stomach

Answer 5

WELL, I CAN'T HELP BUT I'LL GIVE ADVICE AND THAT.

HORSES DO THAT BECUASE THEY ARE STUBBORN AND DON'T WISH TO WORK. IT NOT BECUASE THEY ARE LAZY OR THEY HAVE HAD ISSUES THEY JUST CAN'T BE BOTHERED.

QUITE ALOT OF MY HORSES DO THAT BUT ONCE THEY'RE TACK UP THEN THERE GREAT!!!

WITH THE BIT I WRAP SOME LETTECE ROUND IT OR USE A RUBBER BIT THEY SEEM TO ACCEPT THAT MORE, THATS HOW I HELP HORSES HOW HAVE BEEN ABUSED TO TAKE THE BIT.

***HOPE THAT COULD MABYE HELP!***

Answer 6

maybe the bit and tack is hurting him he mite be scared or stuborn

Answer 7

hes just being stubborn

just make sure he knows who is boss

my horse does the same thing somtimes =/

Answer 8

Don't you have him tied?

That really helps to where he won't move as much.

You should bridle him first and then saddle him, I mean, that's easier for me atleast.

Have someone show you how to open his mouth if you don't know how. [Pinching where their teeth are, it's this space that you can feel on the bumpy, whiskery part of their muzzle]. My mare rarely accepted her bit, but my gelding was trained alot more than her and he is excellent when it comes to getting ready.

I used to have to get my dad or someone to help me get my mare ready because she would still move her body around alot and another person there helped alot.

He's just being stubborn. You'll get used to his ways soon enough and learn how to either correct them or deal with them.

good luck!

Answer 9

First off, does he turn away when you go to catch him? If so, I'd have to say assuming it isn't any sort of health problem or fear issue it's just a lack of respect.

Everytime I go to catch one of my horses, they all see me as alpha leader in the herd, so they all are respectful (plus the love the attention) so they come when called and stop when I ask them to. If my horse swings it's hindquarters towards me, that's a showing of disrespect, and I throw my arms into the air and drive them forward. My horses know just by me smooching I mean get your butt out of my face, now. However, if I approach my horses hindquarters, they don't bother moving around, they know they might just get a nice stratch on the hip. But, showing disrespect is unacceptable, and I drive the horse forward - much like the leader of the herd would.

Then I proceed to "free lounge" in whatever pen they are in, swinging my lead in front of them to switch directions with them, notletting them stop in corners and only letting them stop when I stop driving towards them and say "whoa". If my horses know what whoa means and don't whoa right away, switch of directions and faster we go.

My other horses all know which one is in trouble at the time, so the other ones just sneak up and stand behind me - or just stand and watch, because they didn't do anything wrong and therefore don't bother moving.

Then, if your horse respects you on the ground you move to tacking. If he turns away everytime you try to bridle him, leave his halter on and put the bridle on over it (make sure to ajust the bit slightly so it isn't hurting him). Personally, when I'm unsure if my bridle is fitting perfectly, I drop the bit down a notch or two, put it on, then size it up tighter so I prevent from hurting the mouth. This is always a good idea. Also, teach your horse to drop it's head by putting pressure on his poll/between the ears and saying "Drop" until he drops his head, then release the pressure and praise. Even if he only drops a little bit to begin with.

Put the bit against his mouth, then stick your thumb in the corner of his mouth where he has no teeth. (I personally use the same hand I'm holding the bit with and tickle very low in the mouth, near the front teeth but just where the teeth end - this is dangerous if you don't know exactly where the teeth stop), I'd definately just say the corner of the mouth, then slide the bit in slowly. Make sure not to jab his mouth with the bit any.

:) Good luck. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me [e-mail]

Enjoy your horse :3

Answer 10

its proberbly his way of saying "i dont want to be worked thanks"

my horse used to do it too

find something your horse enjoys whilste working, such as jumping/hacking ect

if you can finish the ride on a positive note and allow your horse to do the thing he likes, it might just be having a long rein so he can stretch his neck, or in the area take off his take and allow him to wander around by himself, he might like to roll, or have i lil run by himself