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Two-faced horse lol?

2K views 17 replies 5 participants last post by  Smilie 
#1 ·
The title is rather misleading but I liked it so I kept it, but I do have a gelding (18 yo quarter horse) who is GREAT with ground manners (trimming, brushing, bathing, giving attention, etc.,) however, he has loads of problems in the saddle. He will let you ride him (walk or trot, nothing faster) for about 15-20 minutes, then he lets you know he's done. He has crow-hopped, bucked, and reared to get me off of him (I don't get off due to the fact it lets him know he wins.) I have tried to teach him barrels and for a couple runs he'll do a slow gallop, then he gets sassy, refusing to turn unless it's in the direction of the gate where we entered. I have had good trainers try and work with him and they simply say he can't be broken and should be sent to the glue factory. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
#6 ·
Yes he's been to a vet and a chiropractor, both says he's an extremely healthy just "spoiled" as they put it. The saddle fits fine, and I don't let him get away with anything. I've spent hours and hours with him and he still continues his antics, and no we just moved so we haven't gotten in touch with a trainer yet.
 
#4 ·
he is of one face, not two. he is mild mannered on the ground becuase when he is on the ground, you are not asking anything of him that he doesn't mind doing. he is 'great' beacue you are going along his pathway, for the most part, anyway. riding him,? well, your idea of the pathway, and his diverge, so his true self emerges.
 
#9 ·
Okay different horse, but one with some age on him, and a horse that can either have some arthritic problems, that create poor work ethics, or just ahorse that has been allowed to dictate terms, far as working under saddle
Thus, because of his age, in particular, first rule out any pain issue,and then look as to how you have been riding him

Horses can become un trained, as well as trained. Allowed to take little resistant actions, left not nipped in the bud, ahorse will escalate to taking the proverbial mile
He has so many holes, that the last thing you should be doing, is working him on a barrel pattern
Question, 'good trainer', as agood trainer can reform such ahorse-one that runs off to the gate, resorts to bucking and rearing, when asked to work beyond what he wants to, but it will take time, consistency,going back to basics, riding him through those evasion techniques, and that is not fixed in one ride by that trainer.
Then, when he is riding fine for that trainer,you will need to take lessons to keep that horse honest. Every time you let him win, you are training him, but not for the good!
 
#11 ·
Let me rephrase it, I don't really work on barrels with him I was just curious as to what he can do along the lines of his turning, gaits, etc. And I can assure you, haha, I don't let him win :p
And since we just moved and all, we're looking for a trainer near us, however, we have to wait until our other gelding is all fixed up (money problems).
Thank you much for the advice!!
 
#10 ·
How long have you had the horses?

I tend to think on the same lines as tiny....you are not putting a lot of pressure on him on the ground, and never leaving his safety zone(barn, arena), but when you get on his back, that is a different story!

I am not sure where this rumor about ground work=saddle work, but it is two TOTALLY different things, and horses are not really smart enough to relate the two....in parallel.
 
#14 ·
I think respect might be the wrong word here, as I see either a green horse, or one that has become spoiled, pain being ruled out, of course
There is truth to the fact that we train a horse, each and every time we ride him, either for the good, or, un intentionally, for the bad.
Horses are creatures of habit, and will thus learn what to us, is negative behavior, as well as compliance, through strong clear and fair leadership
Again, absolutely do not work horse on any pattern, and I don't care how slow, until that horse has basics , like body control on him
1 rule out any pain issue far as poor work ethics.
2 go back and put basics on the horse that are missing. A horse that balks, by rearing, crow hopping, ect, when he decides he has worked enough, who dictates the gait he will work on, who resists going where asked, trying to go where he wants to, thus refusing to turn away from his 'sweet spot', either never received proper training, or has learned he can resist.
If he understands what is being asked, again, any pain issue eliminated, needs to have that rearing or attempt to buck , shut down immediately, and also to have consequences, so that doing the right thing, becomes the 'easy choice'
Just because he is good on the ground, does not mean he is gong to be good under saddle, esp if he rather not work
 
#16 ·
to me he sounds like a waste of your time. It sounds hugely discouraging to put more and more time into him and have to keep retreading the same issues over and over, without any apparent progress. if he's that bad, you would be better to ride horse's that show that they can be trained and ridden and become a pleasure horse. life is too short, and there are so many good horses out there.
 
#18 ·
Again, horses are creatures of habit. Let him get away with bucking ect, until he is too tired to do anything else, will get no no where, except to have a horse you need to work longer and longer, until you get to the point where he stops resisting.
I question the ability of those trainers, as a really good one, will get that horse working for him, but that does not mean the slate is wiped clean, and he will never try other riders, unless they learn to ride him like that trainer
 
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