In need of advice...

[Skip_n_Hide]

My friend has a cldyesdale cross called William. He is 17hh and when he is ridden has become more and more impatient when someone is getting on him and tries to bolt when the person has got on...

Has anyone got any suggestions to make him stop this... and also to make him learn some manners when being ridden. His ground manners cannot be faulted it just at the beginning when he is ridden.

He is being lunged at the beginning of every session... He behaves the same whether he is in the outside or inside school...

His teeth has been checked... his saddle is fine... and a change of bit has had no difference either... also his feet are fine just to rule out that one!

She has just brought a standard martingale which she is going to try tomorrow... to that is just something she was going to buy anyways... randomly!

She doesn't feel strong enough to stop him... I can stop him... He has been called a mans horse because of the way he is getting... which is a shame...

Please help... any suggestions welcome!

:D

[Manda]

Perhaps have someone stand in front of him while your friend is getting on so he can't move. Eventually he will figure out that he can't go anywhere.

[alliekk]

I wouldn't suggest anyone stand in front of him while getting on. You wouldn't want to risk someone getting trampled. William might have great ground manners, but who's to say they are going to still be there when he is trying to get away from his rider?
I suggest you start with the basics of teaching him to ride. Like with all young horses, you don't just slap a saddle on a go riding off into the sunset. William definitely has a dangerous problem that should NOT be overlooked. Put the saddle on, lunge him for a bit, tighten the saddle, lunge, put some weight in the stirrup, lunge, more weight, and so on. If he still has a problem or if his problem is putting weight in the stirrup, have you checked his saddle pad/cinch for anything sharp or any pinching that isn't visible at first? It's great that you have already ruled out so much of what could be causing this behavior, but did you have a vet examine his back, to make sure there isn't anything tweaked?
If all of this doesn't help, try putting him up to a panel, so he is straight (since he is pretty tall, he will have the ability to put his head over it, they are only maybe 5' something.) Common sense will tell him not to run into the panel, but ONLY DO THIS IF YOU ARE SURE HE WILL NOT TRY TO REAR OR BOLT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.
This is the best advise I can give. What I can tell you NOT to do is to tie him up, put someone in front of him, ignore it, or punish it. If he was doing this out of an attitude problem then more than likely he wouldn't be doing it EVERY SINGLE TIME. I hope this helps and please be safe. It's scary dealing with a gigantic horse.
~ALLIE~

[mandyicequeen14]

I agree with alliekk all the way, never stand in front of a horse definatly if its 17 hands, he can definatly go where ever he wants if your in front of him or not. what i do suggest is have someone hold him with a lead rope, and wrap the chain around his nose so you would have more controll over him.

[LyteningColt]

Maybe it is the way u guys mount him i had a horse who was the same way i stepped on a chair to mount he took off... when u mount him alk to him tell him he is doing good as soon as u get on give him a treat tell tell him good boy and maybe he'll stop cuz he will get a treat. :)



Lyteningcolt

[DixieGirl]

maybe you should practice bending him when he tries to bolt becasue that stops them from buckin' and runnin'. :)

[Walk_On_Cowgirl]

maybe you should practice bending him when he tries to bolt becasue that stops them from buckin' and runnin'. :)

I agree with DixieGirl. Take a hold of the off side rein when mounting him that way if he trys going forward at least then you can give him a detour and make him turn. Once you're mounted make him stand for a while. Teach him patience. This will take a good bit if time to make it a habit, but adventually it will work. I also wouldn't stand in front of him, nor would I stand to his side, incase he side steps and stomps you by accident. Most big horses like him are generally dosal but you have to use more caution b/c of his size. Hope this helps! Keep us posted on how it all works out.

[Max]

If he's throwing an attitude or is ignoring you try putting one foot in the stirrup and when he starts to run smack him on the rump and make him give you two eyes and be harsh if you have to(depending on how sensitive he is)let him know it's no game and that it's absolutely wrong :mad:

[HappyHorse13]

Have his eyes checked. If he is losing vision in his mounting-eye said, I'd be freaked too. Alexander the Great's horse, Bucephalus, had no vision in his right eye after a battle injury, and that's why he continually threw people off. Alexander mounted from the left, and that's how Bucephalus was "tamed."

But he's probably just being a butt :rolleyes:

Get a trainer or a really good old-style horsemanship book. They work.

Best of luck, Skip! And plllleaasssseeee stay safe!

[Jyl]

My Saddlebred isn't much for staying still either. He's no 17 hh, but he's a big boy. If you have a relatively closed in area outside, or inside if your barn is tall enough, and stick his nose in the corner when you get on. Then you're not putting any people in danger by standing in front of him and you'll still get your point across.

I know Indy throws a fit when i get on him and will try to walk off or back up. He's never run when i got on him, so i can't entirely relate, but I normally stick the reins behind the saddle and make him walk circles until he gets sick of it, which he always does. Haha. Let us know how things work out though!

[Kalena]

Training and breaking the babies as well as dealing with unruly school horses who decide not to stand at mounting blocks, this is my speciality lol.
Well if you use a mounting block to get on, here is what I always do to make it better. One, without you even on him, he needs to learn to stand when you ask him to and halt when you say ho. Next, when you are riding, make him halt on command and make him stand there for a few seconds and walk on, then halt again and make it a few more seconds, and walk on, then do it again and again making the seconds longer until he has no problem standing with you on him. Also while during this, pretend to adjust your reins or stirrups or something like that. Now, it is time to face the mounting block. Make him walk up next to it and stand there, if he stands for about 20 seconds, reward and go the next step which is to start to inch over towards the mounting block steps. If he moves, rein him around in a circle to make him come even to the mounting block again (making them walk forward or back just makes them hate it more and really want to walk away and hate the mounting block). Then once he is standing with you by his head quietly, like I said, move towards the block and stand at the base or attempt the first step as long as you are going very slow and as long as he is not moving an inch except stamping flies or moving tail, continue slowly all the way to the top of the mounting block. Then pretend to put a foot in the stirrup, be ready for him to move away and be ready to step off the block and turn in a circle again and repeat until he stands quietly. Then next step, put your foot in and put some pressure on it, (make sure just the tip of your toe is on the stirrup so you can quickly get the stirrup out if he walks off). Do this until he stands quietly. Then next, get on and with short reins make him stand there. If he stands, walk four steps get off and reward. If he moves, stop him and make him wait for you to tell him to go. This should help and I have never had it not work, just takes patience.
Good luck, sounds like a big horse that would be a blast to ride.

[bethfornow]

My paint used to be a lesson horse and picked up this bad habit. Dixie girls is right. Start with pressure on the off-side rein when mounting, if he tries to move hold the rein just like you have it until he stops. Then try again. If he does the same thing, tighten the off side rein and hold it there untill he stops. Eventually he'll stop and learn that not moving is alot easier than bending. :)

As far as the not waiting on the rider; you need to establish your dominance over william as soon as your butt hits the saddle. By not waiting on you, he is telling you that he thinks what he wants is more important than what you want. To fix this, back him forcefully as soon as he takes one step forward then make him stop and stand for a while. If he wants to walk off, back him longer than you did the first time. After a while, he should take a breath and stand for you.

[hoovesfirst]

id suggest once he is fine with the saddle you should have him stand quietly while you get and off on and off hope that helps lol bye :) :o

[Walk_On_Cowgirl]

My paint used to be a lesson horse and picked up this bad habit. Dixie girls is right. Start with pressure on the off-side rein when mounting, if he tries to move hold the rein just like you have it until he stops. Then try again. If he does the same thing, tighten the off side rein and hold it there untill he stops. Eventually he'll stop and learn that not moving is alot easier than bending. :)

As far as the not waiting on the rider; you need to establish your dominance over william as soon as your butt hits the saddle. By not waiting on you, he is telling you that he thinks what he wants is more important than what you want. To fix this, back him forcefully as soon as he takes one step forward then make him stop and stand for a while. If he wants to walk off, back him longer than you did the first time. After a while, he should take a breath and stand for you.


Bethfornow said it! Every unasked step forward make him take it backward. Use the "pull and release" take a lil from him then give it back, and make him do what you ask him to do. You definately have to me the dominate one in this relationship!!! After he does what you ask. Praise him with a pat on the neck and make him stand there and appriciate it. Hope all this helps!

[Skip_n_Hide]

I would have done this yesterday but I couldn't get the computer to work long enough without it turning blue... haha! :p

Right... to the update!

William was calm and relaxed when we went into the indoor school and my friend didnt want to ride him this time so I did... we decided not to lunge... I mounted from the floor... all determined... I was in one of those moods :D I was prepared for him to walk off or try and go straight away so made him stand before we did anything and I got on and was prepared for him to go... he tried to walk but he quickly and sharply got told not to!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/Clairey015/SP_A0077-1.jpg

Thats the man in question... ^^^ and me :D Im not smiling... but i didnt expect the photo lol

He worked well and then when cooling off I allowed him to walk freely and then at random points would go "stand" (he works well with voice commands) and use as little pressure as possibly, sitting deep, etc... he responded well. I think all this is what he needs...

The standard martingale has work really well and he has stopped resisting it! Woo!

Kalena I really like your advice, thanks! The mounting block bit will definatly come in use as he isnt keen on them! Also DixieGirl and Jyl, thanks!

I am really suprized by the amount of response Ive had... Great to know all you guys are here to help!

Thankssssssssssss x

[Barrelbabe_23]

He's pretty!!!

[Walk_On_Cowgirl]

He is Handsome!!!! Glad to hear everything's workin out well from you!

[Ruby Rider]

well when my horse goes when you get on we just and tell them to back with the bit... or ... you can fase his head at a walll and get on .... or... you could teach him the one rein stop... so when he tris to go you can stop him... or ... if you are in a n arena... just get someone to run his butt into the ground so that he knows ... he can't get away from the rider.

[DixieGirl]

He's a cute little (BIG) guy!! :)

[HappyHorse13]

Yay Skip!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Haley]

ItAs far as manners go, is this his only problem? When he's ridden, is he okay? It seems like if this is the only issue, there isn't much to worry about. If someone holds him while the rider mounts, preventing him from bolting, he'll hopefully learn to stand still. A quick slap will also let him know that he is misbehaving.

[Wild Horsefeathers]

If he tries to bolt, make him work. Back him, bend, disengaging hindquarters, move his shoulder, etc. Teach him that its easier to stay still than to have to work. :)

[silverleprichuan]

ItAs far as manners go, is this his only problem? When he's ridden, is he okay? It seems like if this is the only issue, there isn't much to worry about. If someone holds him while the rider mounts, preventing him from bolting, he'll hopefully learn to stand still. A quick slap will also let him know that he is misbehaving.



What if the rider has to dismount for any reason and there is no one around. What if she falls off out in a field or on a trail and has no option but to get on.
This is something that needs addressing. If this were my horse I would start by teaching him to bend laterally on the ground. Get to the point where he will put his head to where the riders toe would be without moving his feet. Once the rider mounts up they immediately ask for him to give his head. He can't bolt if his head is bent and eventually he will stop moving his feet. THe second he stops moving his feet, give him the reins, but be prepared to bring him around to the other knee if he doesn't stand still.
Bolting is very dangerous and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

[HorseDayz11]

Well first make sure your friend has given you permission to work with her horse. It is also safe to get a paper signed saying that you won't sue the owner for any dangerous attempts with the horse that may go wrong. The solution I came up with isn't dangerous, but for any other, it is safer this way.

Does he know of flexing of his neck? If not, teach him. If yes, use that to mount up. If he begins moving pull tighter on the rein, not yank, pull tighter until he stops, then release to the beginning pressure. Everytime he moves continue doing the same thing. If needed keep your foot in the stirrup and hop with him as he moves. It isn't as safe, but I used to do it. :/

As for the mounting block, I don't think you should use it. If he has problems with manners [which can be fixed with a few days of ground work] then he could spook at the slightest thing and run into it, spooking him even more and dangering the others around him. That is my opinion.