New horse problems

I bought a new horse about a week ago and have been noticing a few issues that I want to try and get over asap. He is a 16 hh black tb that has been raced twice and failed miserably. We are very happy with his jumping and movement, but the problem is that he becomes extremely overwhelmed when horses pass him in the ring and often takes off. He is easy to bring back, but this is going to present a problem in the hack during a horse show as well as the schooling.

We also found out from the old owner that last year when he was at a show a horse took off, cornered him, and kicked him repeatedly .

Anyone have any ideas to help him get over this?

Oh, and anyone have any techniques for getting in earplugs? He will not let us put them anywhere need his ears and he definitely needs them.

My horse is like that. I took him off my property to ride him and he saw other horses and went BEZERK!!!! I have had a few people tell me to put vick's vapor rub in his nostrils so he can't smell the other horses. I haven't used it yet, but I lot of people I have spoken to swear by it.

If you do try it, let me know how it works!!!

Ear plugs? For horses? What the...
Look don't cover things up, work him, if he takes off make him go back to that horse turn him make him WORK!

Yea, don't bother with the ear plugs :roll: That's just covering up the problem, not fixing it. Actually, they don't work at all.

Do you have access to a round pen? If so, here is what I would do. Stand in the center of the pen while mounted on your horse. Have someone else on the OUTSIDE of the pen on a nice, quiet, easy going horse. They walk around the outside of the pen right next to the fence while you pivot your horse around facing them. Slowly work your way so that your horse then goes in a small circle, going with the other horse. Slowly make your way out so that eventually your horse walks next to the other horse (still on the outside of the pen). Then have them pass you. If your horse gets nervous and impulsive, bend him to a stop using one rein. Have the other person inch out ahead slowly, a little bit at a time. Then you can graduate into an arena.

If at any time your horse gets impulsive or nervous in the beginning of what I described, back off from that threshold and go back to a smaller circle. This will build his confidence.

I have friends who do the mounted shooting and some of the horses do wear ear plugs. You have to get the horse used to having its ears handled inside and out. Once they are used to it rub the ear while inserting the ear plugs. If you aren't shooting off the horse I don't really see the need for them though.

I agree. When your shooting its very loud and you have an excuse to use them, protecting there ears. But covering up a problem is not good.

I only use ear plugs during shows and they aren't for horses passing him or anything like that. I mainly use them so the horse concentrates more on what I'm saying rather then get distracted by things like cars passing and the other horses. Plus, I've used them on both of my other horses and have found they work very well.

Spirithorse has the right idea. I think that is the best solution for your new fella. Do the ear rubbing for the earplugs. I have seen shooters kind of palm the earplug and rub the ear, while rubbing just slip the earplug in. Hope this helps

I don't understand why you need ear plugs in the first place. I mean ur not shooting so y do you need them?