Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The outside world?

My horse is terrified of outside. When ever someone is cantering around the field hill take off galloping towards them, even if theres someone beside him. It can be dead scary sometimes. He will rear buck spin and take off. We know hes not in pain because he only does this outside not inside and we just got his teeth done. He is an 8 year old Poa/Morgan/Arab/Welsh Gelding. Is there anyway I can fix this?

The outside world?
One rein stopping him and also putting him to work when he wants to have those AHHHHH moments.





You be the boss, if the wants to run off, one rein him, get him semi under control and then start working him. Shoulders in/out, serpentines, framing up, sidepassing, anything and everything that you can think of to make this horse work and get his mind on you.





He will eventually learn, that running off isn't alot of fun and results in work.





I know others are going to recommend to run the horse into oblivion so that it 'learns' that if he bolts, running will tire them out.





It depends on YOUR skill level in doing this. Personally, I don't want to run a 1/2 crazed animal through prairie dog holes and over brush and would rather concentrate on getting their mind back rather than exhausting them with speed. I have seen crazed horses trip/fall/sommersault and I prefer to stay on the back of one at all costs :)
Reply:I am confused. It sounds like you are talking about when you are leading him or when he is not being ridden. Is this correct? Or are you saying he does this while someone is on his back?





Either way this is not exactly fear of the outside. He just wants the company of other horses (which is normal).





If you are riding him when he does this then make sure you have a long shank bit in his mouth. I will suggest an 8 or 9 inch shank correction. This will give you the leverage you may need. Also I suggest using Rommel reins or reins that are lashed together. This allows you to drop a rein and pick it up again later. When he runs drop one rein take the other and haul back until his head comes around to about your knee. He will generally stop. If not he will not run very fast.





If the trouble is when you are on the ground then try using a stud chain UNDER his chin when leading him (never tie him by it). When he tries to take off give it a quick tug then loosen it up when he stands still. Also I will suggest some turn out time in a small corral and cross tying him outside for an extended period of time to get used to the outside.
Reply:Yes, it does seem as though your horse, #1 Just prefers to join the company of another horse....#2 has no respect for you nor your control of him . Furthermore anyone who needs or suggests an 8 or 9 in shank bit in the mouth of a run a way horse needs to go back to horsemanship 101 and Rommel reins are primarily used for showing, they are practically useless when it comes to training or getting your horse under control...all you have to do is get a good set of "long enough, at least 6 to 8ft split reins, cross them on the neck and it doesn't matter whether you drop them or not, just reach down and get them...and, if worse comes to worse (we've all been there) just pull your horse around with the rein that you can reach until he stops, and lean down and get your other rein, no big deal. I would suggest that whenever, for whatever reason your horse tries to run off with you, simply use one rein, pull his face around until he is looking at you, asking you what you want. Keep him going in tight circles until he decides that this is less fun than doing what you were doing to begin with. I'm sorry, but long shanks do not nor can they EVER take the place of hands.....oh, if I have offended anyone, note that I have not blocked my emails.
Reply:ride w/ a bitless bridle, it works sometimes, and just go out calmly



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