Jiggy Horse

Need advice please. I have a beautiful paint horse that I got. He does fine when I ride him by myself. The problem is that when I ride with others be is so energetic and dances the whole time. People tell me to think about getting rid of him because they don't think he will become a good trail horse that you can relax on. I'm torn about what to do. I feel he was isolated by his previous owners at how he acts at times. Tried riding him in a parade but he was not having any part of it. Does anyone know that if possible in time and a lot of riding he could change? Thoughts and ideas please?

Of course its possible. But going from being isolated to riding him in a parade was probably a little too much at once. You just have to take your time and desensitize him. Start small. Take him out with one other horse and see how it goes. Then over time, add another horse to the mix.

I have worked on desensitizing him and he does great!! He goes over tarps and will even drag a tarp around. I have even thrown and rolled a large ball at him and he will just stand there.

Horses are very social creatures. If he's fine by himself, and then a herd is introduced.. of course he's going to be jiggy. He likes riding with other horses because it's a change from what he's accustomed to.

My advice is to ride with another horse more often. Work on keeping your own horse's focus and rewarding every attempt to relax.

It'll take some time but he'll get better over time :)

I feel the same way. I am hoping with time he will get better because right now its a very bad ride. Not relaxing at all. He is a great horse and I do not want to get rid of him. He is only 11 and I hope with time he will change. Its hard though when nobody around me has a horse I can work with him all the time. I just started trailing him to ride with groups.

I have a horse that became jiggy for riding...she's very reactive and that seems to be how she worked out her nerves. She has come a long way in relaxing. We still have a long way to go but we did have a very successful trail ride on a windy day at the fall season last year. I know you can't completely change a horse's personality but I believe you can teach them to listen and be respectful. Your horse may get excited and there will be times you can allow some of that out and others where the horse will need to remain obedient when not permitted.

I have a buddy sour horse who has been tricky since I also have few to ride with but she has come a long way. She of course prefers to ride with others, but we have reached the point where we can ride, even around other horses though not riding together. Some days she has an off day like a couple weeks ago...we just stayed in the round pen and did exercises to keep her focused on me. My suggestion would be to work your horse on the ground before your trail ride. Then as you start your trail, do different exercises such as circling or whatever ones your horse enjoys but keeps the horse focused on you and less of the excitement with the other horses. When the horse relaxes, reward the horse with something he/she enjoys with the group. All the best to both of you!

Also, you need to work more from the ground to focus him on you, so that no matter what he is doing what you want.

That can be as simple as when you halter, wait for few minutes before walking, stopping during being led to make him stand, and that means stand without you petting on him, talking to him or even looking at him, just standing there.

Vary your speed as you walk too, making horse match you.

During riding, if you can, circle away from and back to the others. It would help to do this at home also, if have someone can do it with, but that will take anxiety off to a degree hopefully.

Also, make sure that when you are riding, that you are paying attention and are aware of your voice getting higher, as that will add to horse being up, and that you keep low hands, and don't ride with people that are going to want to race around either, as that hypes up horses.

All of you would benefit from the standing stock still thing while under saddle too, helps focus horses and reinforces that humans are in charge. Just stand for various lengths of time.

Thank you so much! I am going to try this.