stubborn steering horse - Western Training & Behavior - Western Training & Behavior - Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information

Posted : 1/1/2010 6:05:14 PM

i have a 3 yr old fox trotter and ive been having some problems when riding him.
hes plow broke.

when i bought him from a friend he did real god at 1st. after about a week he stated acting up, so i whent and bought thr bit he was broke with from my friend. he did good with that for a while, i changed bits when he stated acting up...did good for a while, went back to bit hr was broke with.

what he does is: when i try to make him go left, he pulls his head to the right and trys to walk the opposite of which i told him. he will not walk a staight line and fights me every day with him trying to walk thru the ditches going up the hill out side my house. he used to never do that.

some days he does really good, i have no problems with him and then other days its a fight.

i know that if he rides with our other horse cat, or sundance....he does good.
as soon as my mom saddles up her horse, the others, including mine acts up.
and they never listen when breaking the law comes out to ride. (moms horse)

im just wondering what im doing wrong, or what i can do to get him to listen when riding, weather breaking the law is out or not, he should still listen.

thank you!

samsara

Posted : 1/1/2010 8:31:17 PM

What type of bits are you using?

From your description it almost sounds like you're not giving him enough rein on the side you're turning away from. With my horse I try to give him as much rein on the side we're turning away from as possible. He's still learning so I've been really exagerating the movements...
That would be my suggestion.

hunterseat

Posted : 1/1/2010 9:21:47 PM

Have his wolf teeth been pulled? Might be something going on with his mouth. Be easy on him - he's still just a baby. Wonder if he'd do well in a bitless? That would eliminate the mouth possibility. How does he do for you on the ground? Do you do ground work? There might be some respect issues going on. You might not be alpha over your mom's horse in his eyes.
How long have you had him?

dglvr0055

Posted : 1/1/2010 10:00:45 PM

no dont do ground work, ive only had him a few months. and im not an expert rider...ive only been riding since i got him...that may have some thing to do with it.

i just went riding today and he did great. he listened to everything i had him do!!

dglvr0055

Posted : 1/1/2010 10:04:58 PM

oh and im using a full cheek snaffle bit. thats the one hes been using since he was broke.

hunterseat

Posted : 1/1/2010 10:21:48 PM

[quote=dglvr0055]
i just went riding today and he did great. he listened to everything i had him do!!

BRAVO!! A breakthrough! You're getting to know each other then. My horse gives me fits sometimes when walking around the neighborhood. But take him in the trailer to a trail and he's wonderful.
Goofy horses.

samsara

Posted : 1/1/2010 11:49:13 PM

[quote=dglvr0055]

no dont do ground work, ive only had him a few months. and im not an expert rider...ive only been riding since i got him...that may have some thing to do with it.

i just went riding today and he did great. he listened to everything i had him do!!

Yay! It's so great when you have a break through!

I would suggest you start doing some ground work with him. It's fun and easy and a good way to bond and get your horse to respect you. Personally, I like Clinton Anderson and John Lyons but it's all about personal prefrence.

If you're a new rider really make sure you're paying attention to not only what the horse is doing but also what your body and equipment are telling him to do. You'll only improve with practice. I'm no expert either and since my horse is also young I really try to exaggerate my cues so there is no room for confusion. If we're going right I pull straight out with the right rein and make extra sure the left rein is nice and loose. At 3 they are still loosing and growing teeth so it could be a tooth issue too. I read somewhere they reccomend between the ages of 2.5-4 you should have the dentist out up to 4 times a year just to make sure there are no problems.

I hope all continues to go well for you both.