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Having problems

2K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  kitten_Val 
#1 ·
I have a Arab X DWB that has trust issues:


Someone I knew (and thought I trusted) rode my horse for two months because I was recovering from ACL surgery. Apparently he had his face hauled on for two months (among other issues) and now does not like contact with his mouth, does not move forward well, and doesn't trust his rider so EVERYTHING is scaring him now!

I broke my horse when he was 3 so I thought I had his brain figured out. I know that trust has a lot to do with this and we are working on rebuilding it, but he is seriously scared of everything and shows it by running away from things and bucking. I have tried to ride through the bucks, not making them a big deal, turning him away from spooky things, talking to him, keeping him thinking, ground work, ect.

I am stuck. I know he is not trying to be mean, but I am getting frustrated. I have fallen HARD 3 times in the past 2 weeks. HELP
 
#3 ·
*And that is why I NEVER let anyone ride my horses, even friends, not unless its my trusted trainer*

Do you have access to a good trainer that can help you rebuild things with him? It sounds like you are a very informed rider but I think sometimes getting help from someone with even more experience from the ground can be a good thing. Maybe get some training rides on him. It doesn't have to be a long term coomitment but work with a trainer long enough that you can work out those issues.

Good Luck
 
#4 ·
He used to spook for fun when he got bored, these are a different kind of spook...

I am so frustrated...thinking about starting all over from the beginning, ground work up.


We were jumping 3'6" before all of this, he wouldn't be able to make it over a 6" fence now. :(
 
#5 ·
Savara said:
turning him away from spooky things
Nope, never turn away from spooky things. Ride him through it; your horse should be supple, in a frame, and bent to the inside... when a horse starts to spook, they will first get out of position, so simply don't let him! If he raises his head out of the frame, correct it. If he starts to work himself out of the correct bend, make him work and band back to the way you want him to.
Say there's something spooky in the corner while you're on the left rein; he'll raise his head to look at it, you put him back in position and drive him forwards - sit deeper and sit your trot if needed. He might start to bubble away from the scary thing (counterbend) so apply your inside leg and hold with your reins to make him bend back to be supple to the left. You might not get it spot-on first time, so do a 20-m circle at the spooky end of the arena.
 
#6 ·
JD is right, make him work through scary things. If not in saddle, than on ground. Right now you praise him for being spooky and for bucks as well. If he bucks, make him work harder. Does he trust you on ground? If so, may be another person just let him get away with all that. I found out horses are learning bad things incredibly quickly. :(
 
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