Herd bound? Noo just stubborn!

sophie550

sophie550

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Right.. So, My 2 year old was getting better and better at coming in. Until recently! On wednesday she walked out of the field fine, but then from the field she would not budge! I tried everything, she happily walked into the other field cause she thought she might be going back to hers, so I ran her up there to see if she was lame and she wasn't. I decided im just going to have to wait until she gets bored and walks to her stable, it took a whole hour to get from the field to the stable! Something that should take 5 minutes not 60!

Today she wouldn't even budge from her spot in the field, no laminitis, nothing. Just would not move! I tried all sorts, usually she'll respond to being teased with the whip but nope not today, she just backed up. In the end the geldings started to follow her and get right up behind her so she had no choice but to walk, then followed one of the older ponies that was coming in up to the stables. Shes fine on her own when tied up as long as im with her, so its not as if she doesn't want to be alone in the barn for 30 minutes, she'll just usually stand and eat her hay.

I look her for a walk through the farmers field once she'd been groomed ect which is nowhere near her field and she walked happily then.

Advice would be appreciated!!
 
She's just at that age where they're horrible brats.

I suspect its got very little to do with being overly attached to her friends, it's more a generalised stroppy stage and she just doesn't want to do what you've asked, don't see why she should do what she's told and has discovered she can't be MADE to do what you've asked either. They all go through that stage: some become lunatics (i.e mine :rolleyes: ) so become bulshy pushy brats who try boxing you with their front feet and some become stubborn and stroppy (sounds like yours. Seems to be a mare trait).

I'd tackle it on two fronts: firstly directly tackle the stubborn planting but then it needs backed up with further ground work and manners work.

Easiest way to deal with her current planting it to have two of you. One to lead and one to chase. How 'hard' you chase depends on her temperement (and assuming she entirely understands what 'walk on' actually means : you'd be amazed at those who've never learnt properly). It can range from gentle shooing from a distance to a hard smack across the backside with a lunge whip. You want her to be under absolutely no illusions about her behaviour and a shock will do her the world of good BUT you don't want to genuinely frighten her. Start at the lowest setting but be willing and able to esculate until she does as she's asked. Praise etc when she's doing as asked.

You then need to do some ground work with her. Re-inforce walking forwards from headcollar pressure, moving round away from pressure, staying out your space. General ground work.
 
A horse I had years ago did this once when he didnt want to leave his field mates - planted and would only go backwards. So I turned him round so he was facing the way he came and backed him up across the field in the direction I wanted him to go. He never did it again.
 
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