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Discussion on Stuck in reverse
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New Member:
Leanne
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2003 - 11:27 pm:
last week we bought a 3 year old gelding, i know nothing about this horse, i have ridden him twice, when his mouth is touched at all with the reins, he runs backwards, and he is really hard to break into a trott or a canter, he also blows up when he leaves his buddies, rears up, bucks, snorts and aks like an idiot, what do i do with him?
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 12:48 am:
Well, Leanne . . . my first question is WHY did you buy him?
Secondly, did you try him out first before you bought him? Did he display any of these behaviors at that time?
Thirdly, the behaviors you describe are all avoidance behaviors . . . the question is, "Avoidance of WHAT?" Pain? Work?
First, have him checked out. Teeth especially since he seems to show a real sensitivity in his mouth. Back, too, and feet . . . he may have pain somewhere and is unable to do what you are asking.
What is your experience level?
If there is no pain and no tooth problem, this horse needs to go back to square one and learn some cues from the ground. Cues to give softly to the bit when he feels pressure (what kind of bit are you using, by the way?) and cues to move away from you when you ask, and the FORWARD cue which is probably the most important cue of all.
I know there are going to be many other responses to this one!!
Holly
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Member:
Tagloili
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 7:14 am:
Leanne, the answers to your questions would fill volumes. I suggest you visit this site and follow the progression of working with a young horse, starting as Holly suggests from the ground up:
https://www.clintonanderson.net/
George
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Member:
Leanne
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 10:09 am:
Holly, this horse came with two more that my husband bought. One of them is a old mare that was a prison gaurd horse, he bought her for my son, she is great, the other is a 13 mo. old filly, she was an orphan, she is also a good one, I guess we took the bad with the good. I have 32 years experience with horses, when i was 14 i started training and showing western pleasure and halter horses in registered quarterhorse shows. I worked on a quarterhorse farm when i was 13 until i was 19. I know enough to know this horse has a problem. I rode the horse with a snaffle bit, then changed it to a turnaround "no bit" he seemed to work better with that. He is really a good looking horse, black with a white cornet band. Thanks for your advice, I Have a vet comming out this morning to work on some other horses i will have him look ant his mouth while he is there.
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Member:
Chrism
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 11:17 am:
Well, 3 is pretty young and you aren't familar with his history, good or bad.
I'd treat him as if he wasn't started at all and work through starting him from ground, gradually building to riding. As you work, you will see what concerns him and where his holes are. This is where I'd try to help him over the situation with very, very small steps and lots of encouragement/rewards.
Also, I'd probably just let him be a horse for a few weeks before starting him - build trust in the situation and people on the ground.
Looking for pain sources and having the vet out is good, too. He could have some teeth issues being only 3.
Good luck with him. Horses are usually very generous and can overcome a bad start with patience and consistency.
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 11:43 am:
Leanne,
Looks like this horse lucked out in getting you for an owner. Bless your hearts.
Chris is right about the small steps. Think about it that same way you would think about adopting a child from Russia or Thailand . . . he probably doesn't know your language at all . . . and he is in a new place with new everything. At least he has his buddies along, which is why he is such a stinker about leaving them.
Glad you are having the vet out . . . it may be something really simple that will make all the difference when it's "fixed."
Please post to let us know if the vet finds anything.
Holly
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 12:01 pm:
I agree whole heartedly with Christine, it is going to take longer to unlearn what he has learned so don't be discouraged when there are days with 1/2 step forward. It sure wouldn't hurt to have teeth checked. It sounds to me like someone either taught him to do that or he learned that if he did that they got off. I would also assume at this point by his behavior that he probably has been abused/ punished via the mouth as well.
Another site I have found very helpful for behavior and ground training techniques is KBR horse world here is the link to their training section:
https://www.kbrhorse.net/pag/train.html
It is very user friendly 
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 12:13 pm:
Whoa!!
Great web-site, Janette.
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 12:55 pm:
LOL I have used this site for years both for teaching people and for problem horses, mules, and Donkeys. They put things in laymans terms and because they deal alot with completely wild horses, mules, donkeys I have found that an abused or poorly trained animal really benefits from the starting at the very begginning and seems to come further faster than if you try to pick up somewhere more advanced than that.
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2003 - 3:27 pm:
Just goes to show you don't need videos - what a well written and interesting site!
Imogen
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Member:
Leanne
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003 - 11:25 pm:
Well its been going very well. Have been working the gelding in a round pen with all the tack. He works well on the ground, had trouble with his right lead. I am riding him now and he is doing great. Thanks for all the help. I have had some men wanting to get on him and Cowboy him, they said they could ride it out of him, I will not let anyone else on him until i am finished with him. I am very proud of the little guy. I have some trouble getting him to canter in the round pen with me on his back , he does fine on the line. He is spoiled but he likes me and works well for me. Thanks again. Leanne
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