danastark
Posted : 10/24/2012 1:34:07 AM
If other people have ridden him and had success with getting him to calm down, I'd ask them what they did! It does sound like you must be sending him the signal that you are not the boss. Is he kicking at you when you are lunging him? If so, you need to get after him and make him work hard so he learns that type of behavior earns him work. Usually when a horse acts up, putting them to work "makes the lungs talk to the brain."
He may be well broke but not desensitized to going new places so doing so will help. When I was bringing along my gelding, we went everywhere. We are starting to go for rides alone and yesterday he wasn't very happy. He wasn't naughty but he definitely was worked up. I put him to work doing serpentines, working on bending, circling, making him think about something else and since there wasn't anyone around, sang to him
Wear a helmet and be careful
I have on occasion (when it felt unsafe to be on) gotten off and finished my ride leading my horse. He was used to be led and it seemed to make him feel safer to have me leading the way. If you have any riding buddies, start having them go out with you. Nothing like an experienced horse to help a newbie on the trail