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  Discussion on Barn Sourness! I'm desperate!
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 25, 2000 - 11:46 am:

I am 15 and I just got my first horse last April. She is a 20 year old Quarter Horse. Every time I take her out for a ride she tries to just turn around and go home. I've been struggleling with this problem ever since I got her. She seems to be miserable. I want her to enyoj the ride. I tried to stop at a place during the ride for her to graze a while but she won't even eat when I let her.

This is pretty much the only place I can ask for advice. Please help

Posted on Sunday, Mar 26, 2000 - 1:26 pm:

Hello Monique,

If you go to Training Horses: Trail Riding Skills: Forums [public]: Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde gelding: you will find a long discussion with lots of ideas on how you can cope with your horse's behaviour. Don't worry, your horse is actually very normal - lots and lots of horses do this. At least you know she is happy at home!

I'm sure you will find lots of advice on that forum.

Posted on Monday, Mar 27, 2000 - 2:09 pm:

When I first got my TB mare she acted the same way. I'd been riding for years, and never come across such a determined stubborn horse before! Even resorting to using a crop didn't help, and created more problems.

My instructor showed me how to do ground work with her first. Much of it was along the lines of John Lyons techniques of yielding to pressure and conditioned (automatic) response.

Start on the ground, stand next to her shoulder. Apply pressure to one rein, until she gives her head to you to release the pressure. Work both sides, several times. You may need to do many short sessions to make this easy for her to grasp, and to start paying attention to you.

If she does this calmly, apply some pressure with your hand on her ribs when you apply the rein pressure, right where your boot would be. Make her circle around you. Again work both sides.

Try leading her away from the barn, down the road or trail. Any time she refuses to budge, use the rein pressure and side pressure to get her moving again. Again, work in short sessions.

After a while (when her responses are consistent) try riding her away, using the same cues.

I would get a copy of John's book, Communication with Cues, Part 1. It was a big help to me. You don't have to do round pen work, he has specific exercises for specific problems.

You may try riding her out with a friend too, until she is more willing. Keep your rides short; maybe she associates leaving with doing a lot of work!

Some people have had success by altering their routine when they ride back home. Don't feed right after a ride or work session. Or when you get back, dismount and do some more work with your horse, or do mounted work with your horse. Just a little bit is all that's needed. Try dismounting in different spots, so the horse doesn't become used to returning to the same point every time at the end of a ride.

Good luck! post again if you have more questions.

Posted on Monday, Mar 27, 2000 - 3:02 pm:

Thank you for your advice. I am really determined for her to succeed my goal for her. I want her to enjoy the rides. Thank you! I will keep you postes on the results!
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