Horse plants itself to ground when about to be ridden.

[Carryonriding]

I've had my mare for about 2 months. She's 13 years old and part fresian. She is unfit and I'm bringing her back into work after 6 years of doing very little.

We've been having lessons every week and going out on short hacks. However I am becoming I increasingly impatient with her as when I've tacked her up and I'm leading her to the gate where I mount her she will plant herself to the ground and will do this every 2 steps or less. It's getting worse and worse!!

Ive tried some pressure techniques with her. Basically pulling in increasingly intense phases on the lead rope. She often moves at the slightest of pull and then stops again. It takes about 20 minutes to leave the field sometimes!! Sometimes I can pull hard for ages and she just won't budge.


If someone else is there she will move if they push her on from behind, but I'm normally alone.


Im losing the will to ride her!! She is so stubborn.


Whe. I finally get her there, mount her and gets ready to go, she spins in circles and constantly turns back to the yard. Or she just refuses to move at all. If I smack her with the whip she will buck. If she moves backwards ill let her do this until she decides its a better idea to move forwards.


HELP!!! She is hugely testing me is it a matter of pursuing with pulling her along until she realizes its not worth the effort?

 

[AdorableAlice]

No one will agree with me but I would put a long line on her and gloves on yourself. Equip yourself with a long tom and make contact with her bottom.

 

[alainax]

A technique I've used, and saw others use, which worked wonders every time - is making them go backwards when they plant or refuse to go forward when your on the ground.

The second she stops force her to walk backwards as fast as she can. They hate going back wards like this. The ask her to walk on. If she plants again, do it again. Rinse and repeat. Eventually she will realise that planting results in her never being allowed to keep her feet still and walking backwards sucks. Usually within just a few times of going backwards they will never do it again.

The above is not a great idea when riding though, as you dont have as much control and could promote rearing. Id only do that in hand.

However, now that you say she does it when being ridden also, I would wonder if she has a very good reason for not wanting to be ridden, ie pain related. You may want to get all the checks done first if not done already.

Good luck!

 

[p87]

I ride a mare who plants. As soon as she refuses to go forward when I ask, I tighten my rein so her nose is to my knee and make her do several tight circles then ask her to move forward. It's very uncomfortable for her so of course she would rather walk forward, works every time.

Of course before you start doing any wee tricks like this go down the route of getting teeth/back/saddle etc checked as it may well be pain related and this could be her way of trying to tell you something is wrong.

 

[Kallibear]

Afraid I wouldn't be tolerating that! Long schooling whip and a very hard smack on the bum.

However it will have a much deeper seated cause and something you.need to address. I've never had to smack them like that but then they've never even considered it as an option!

If you earn respect and become the one wearing the trousers in your relationship then the stubborn planting (and the messing about under saddle) will stop. It sounds like she has naff all respect for you right now. If you're not sure how to gain in (and just hitting her def isn't the way!) then get a groundwork instructor out to help you.

(P.s ditto getting all tack checked first though! Esp saddle fit)

 

[california dreaming]

I would agree with you.

 

[Carryonriding]

Thanks everyone. I'll try some of this tomorrow when we go for our lesson! We are having respect issues that we are working on. On the ground she would refuse to yield for me especially her hinds which she would kick out with. We did lots of groundwork and established me being the leader and she now yields her hinds with no problems. She's throwing another spanner in the works now! We are both stubborn characters!

 

[SusieT]

Have you had her back checked? Why did she not do anything for 6 years?

 

[Goldenstar]

Have you had her back checked? Why did she not do anything for 6 years?

This a valid point .
Op what do you know about her history .

 

[Carryonriding]

Nope but I'm going to get it checked, to rule that out.

With regards to her history, the last 6 years she has been with a friend of mine who wasn't riding often due to arthritic pains. She used her to breed and she had two foals. She was originally bought to drive but she didn't take well to it! Used for minor hacking and in the last couple of years was ridden only by me perhaps once a month, if that, and was only in the field.

Before this I'm not entirely sure, I've got a picture of her jumping when she was about 4 and I think she did a lot of schooling.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

For God's sake please stop pulling for "increasingly intense phases" on the lead rein when she plants, all this does is hurt her and you risk damaging the sensitive parts of her head. And whips should NEVER be used in anger.

It sounds like you need to go back to basics and restart her from scratch. Lots of groundwork, lungeing and long reining and schooling. But to be honest, I think you need to ask yourself whether you have the experience to restart a horse of this age. Your mare mght be 13 but she's been in a field having babies for the last 6 years - it's not like she's a schoolmaster who has only had a few months off. It sounds very much to me like she's very green and just completely confused about what you want her to do.

But first of all, have her teeth and back checked by your vet/dentist/physio. And have a qualified saddle fitter check your saddle fits properly. Then and only then restart ridden work.

 

[AdorableAlice]

For God's sake please stop pulling for "increasingly intense phases" on the lead rein when she plants, all this does is hurt her and you risk damaging the sensitive parts of her head. And whips should NEVER be used in anger.

It sounds like you need to go back to basics and restart her from scratch. Lots of groundwork, lungeing and long reining and schooling. But to be honest, I think you need to ask yourself whether you have the experience to restart a horse of this age. Your mare mght be 13 but she's been in a field having babies for the last 6 years - it's not like she's a schoolmaster who has only had a few months off. It sounds very much to me like she's very green and just completely confused about what you want her to do.

But first of all, have her teeth and back checked by your vet/dentist/physio. And have a qualified saddle fitter check your saddle fits properly. Then and only then restart ridden work.

The initial question from the OP was regarding a mature horse that would not lead in from the field without jibbing and napping. In work or out of work, broodmare or not, that behaviour is plain rude and needs stamping on.

 

[madlady]

For God's sake please stop pulling for "increasingly intense phases" on the lead rein when she plants, all this does is hurt her and you risk damaging the sensitive parts of her head. And whips should NEVER be used in anger.

It sounds like you need to go back to basics and restart her from scratch. Lots of groundwork, lungeing and long reining and schooling. But to be honest, I think you need to ask yourself whether you have the experience to restart a horse of this age. Your mare mght be 13 but she's been in a field having babies for the last 6 years - it's not like she's a schoolmaster who has only had a few months off. It sounds very much to me like she's very green and just completely confused about what you want her to do.

But first of all, have her teeth and back checked by your vet/dentist/physio. And have a qualified saddle fitter check your saddle fits properly. Then and only then restart ridden work.

Have you ever dealt with a planting mature horse? Regardless of whether she has been having babies or going to shows every week that sort of behaviour is not accepatble.

OP - I have friesians so understand just how strong and stubborn they can be - all of mine are started as youngsters in a rope halter so that they can't 'hang back' in a headcollar - have you tried one of those with her? On the planting when she is being led I'd be asking her to circle, back up, move sideways - anything that keeps her feet moving really.

As for the ridden when she plants I would circle or ask her to move sideways. For both of my mares the default reaction when they were first backed was turn and face the opposite direction if they didn't want to do something or saw something that they didn't like - I've circled, backed up and got off and led them - my older mare will now go anywhere (pretty much) but it took lots of patience to get there.

 

[applecart14]

I've had my mare for about 2 months. She's 13 years old and part fresian. She is unfit and I'm bringing her back into work after 6 years of doing very little.

We've been having lessons every week and going out on short hacks. However I am becoming I increasingly impatient with her as when I've tacked her up and I'm leading her to the gate where I mount her she will plant herself to the ground and will do this every 2 steps or less. It's getting worse and worse!!

Ive tried some pressure techniques with her. Basically pulling in increasingly intense phases on the lead rope. She often moves at the slightest of pull and then stops again. It takes about 20 minutes to leave the field sometimes!! Sometimes I can pull hard for ages and she just won't budge.


If someone else is there she will move if they push her on from behind, but I'm normally alone.


Im losing the will to ride her!! She is so stubborn.


Whe. I finally get her there, mount her and gets ready to go, she spins in circles and constantly turns back to the yard. Or she just refuses to move at all. If I smack her with the whip she will buck. If she moves backwards ill let her do this until she decides its a better idea to move forwards.


HELP!!! She is hugely testing me is it a matter of pursuing with pulling her along until she realizes its not worth the effort?

Try walking her backwards in the direction you want to go. All horses are capable of walking backwards so please don't reply that she can't do this! I think you will find that this will do the trick, it used to work really well for my present horse and I still use the technique every now and then to get him past something he doesn't want to pass.

 

[Carryonriding]

For God's sake please stop pulling for "increasingly intense phases" on the lead rein when she plants, all this does is hurt her and you risk damaging the sensitive parts of her head. And whips should NEVER be used in anger.

It sounds like you need to go back to basics and restart her from scratch. Lots of groundwork, lungeing and long reining and schooling. But to be honest, I think you need to ask yourself whether you have the experience to restart a horse of this age. Your mare mght be 13 but she's been in a field having babies for the last 6 years - it's not like she's a schoolmaster who has only had a few months off. It sounds very much to me like she's very green and just completely confused about what you want her to do.

But first of all, have her teeth and back checked by your vet/dentist/physio. And have a qualified saddle fitter check your saddle fits properly. Then and only then restart ridden work.

I never said I was hitting her out of anger?

And the increasing pressure is a parelli technique where I'm allowing her to make the decision that it's easier to move at the very slightest of pressure. The highest phase of pressure is not painful for her it's just irritating.

And I may not be the most experienced horse owner but I am surrounded by many experienced horsey folk and I always make sure penny gets the right care and I always step up and ask for help when I need support.

 

[webble]

I ride a mare who plants. As soon as she refuses to go forward when I ask, I tighten my rein so her nose is to my knee and make her do several tight circles then ask her to move forward. It's very uncomfortable for her so of course she would rather walk forward, works every time.

Of course before you start doing any wee tricks like this go down the route of getting teeth/back/saddle etc checked as it may well be pain related and this could be her way of trying to tell you something is wrong.

This is all pretty much what I was going to say

 

[webble]

Have you ever dealt with a planting mature horse? Regardless of whether she has been having babies or going to shows every week that sort of behaviour is not accepatble.
.

Its not but if pain is a factor and this is her way of avoiding it it needs to be checked out

 

[SusieT]

right well get her back checked, teeth as well as these need done regardless of if they are causing the behaviour, then do ground work ideally in a pressure halter of some sort to ensure she knows that she moves herself when you say so. Probably could do with an instructor to help you in this.

 

[Carryonriding]

Hi all.... Today I tried all of your advice... Backing her up seemed to confuse her and I became an emotional wreck! Eventually I went back to the old standing there pulling her until she moves, and we did this every couple of steps... All the way up the field... But we got there!!

This was with my instructor!

And then with my instructor we went up and down the road until she would behave herself, she was napping a lot and coming up with all sorts of cunning plans to catch me off guard.

We did this for about 40 mins until she calmly walked out and calmly walked back.

Just got to keep pushing on with that now!

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Have you ever dealt with a planting mature horse?

Why, yes, I have. But never by "pulling in increasingly intense phases on the lead rope", "for ages". Because I fail to see how damaging a horse's sensitive poll area helps in this sort of situation?!

 

[Kallibear]

Hi all.... Today I tried all of your advice... Backing her up seemed to confuse her and I became an emotional wreck! Eventually I went back to the old standing there pulling her until she moves, and we did this every couple of steps... All the way up the field... But we got there!!

You became an 'emotional wreck' because you confused her?!?! Oh dear god. I think most of us can see where the problem lies now.

Seriously, get a grip. She's 600kg of solid horse flesh who could flatten you in a second yet you got all upset because you hurt her feelings?!

It's ridiculous that she won't even lead out the field and is entirely unacceptable. It won't be long before her behaviour deteriorates.

 

[Carryonriding]

You became an 'emotional wreck' because you confused her?!?! Oh dear god. I think most of us can see where the problem lies now.

Seriously, get a grip. She's 600kg of solid horse flesh who could flatten you in a second yet you got all upset because you hurt her feelings?!

It's ridiculous that she won't even lead out the field and is entirely unacceptable. It won't be long before her behaviour deteriorates.

What is it about forums and people acting like insensitive idiots?

When I said I became an emotional wreck I didn't mean directly with her because I had 'hurt her feelings' I became a wreck out of frustration that I couldn't get my horse to walk with me. So i cried! Sure lots of people have reached a point when they brake down from pure emotional exhaustion.

Confusing her is different from 'hurting her feelings'. I wasn't born yesterday.

 

[Carryonriding]

Why, yes, I have. But never by "pulling in increasingly intense phases on the lead rope", "for ages". Because I fail to see how damaging a horse's sensitive poll area helps in this sort of situation?!

FYI there is no pain involved it's purely irritating to her.

Without applying that pressure she would never move. And I'm not having anyone smack her from behind to move her on.

If you can't have some sensitivity then please don't comment.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

And the increasing pressure is a parelli technique where I'm allowing her to make the decision that it's easier to move at the very slightest of pressure. The highest phase of pressure is not painful for her it's just irritating.

Oh, right. Crack on then. Good luck when the rearing starts.

 

[Kallibear]

I was actually thinking what's it with this forum and incompetent idiots but hey ho.


You said you confused her and had a break down. Maybe training a horse isn't for you? It's not a particularly hard thing to teach her and she'd probably be better off with someone with more experience and better emotional control. Instead you returned to a method which you've already proven doesn't work.

If you still insist on trying with her, get a better instructor. Someone who doesn't let you get to the point of bursting into tears amd can.show you more suitable methods of dealing with her than yanking on the rope (which most experienced handers will tell you doesn't work at all with stubborn mares because they just stick their hooves in their ears and hum lalalala to themselves until you go away)

 

[Carryonriding]

Pinpointing me having open, human emotions when all I want is the best for my horse is completely disrespectful and I consider it to be bullying.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Pinpointing me having open, human emotions when all I want is the best for my horse is completely disrespectful and I consider it to be bullying.

But you're being respectful when you call fellow posters "insensitive idiots"? If you can't take it then don't dish it out..

 

[Kallibear]

Having a strop because someone's told you you're doing it wrong won't help your horse.

You have issues with your mare that you don't know how to deal with. What you've tried doesn't work. You've been given alternative methods that more experienced handlers know will work but you don't like them, so returned to what you know doesn't work because you don't want to upset your horse. Making her do as she's damn well told will do her far more good in the long run than pansy about with her and pandering to her. I can pretty much guarantee that most who've replied here would have her walking up sensibly within ten minutes.

 

[Carryonriding]

You know absolutely nothing about my life or my experience. I am a responsible horse owner who deeply cares for my horse and her welfare. I am in no way incompetent.

This whole situation has got entirely out of hand from me simply asking for some advice to get her to stop planting in the field. I did not ask to have my competency and abilities scrutinized.

I make the right decisions and ask for help when I know I'm stuck. To me that is responsible horse ownership. Please explain how me looking for ways to get my horse to walk on is incompetent.

 

[Carryonriding]

Having a strop because someone's told you you're doing it wrong won't help your horse.

You have issues with your mare that you don't know how to deal with. What you've tried doesn't work. You've been given alternative methods that more experienced handlers know will work but you don't like them, so returned to what you know doesn't work because you don't want to upset your horse. Making her do as she's damn well told will do her far more good in the long run than pansy about with her and pandering to her. I can pretty much guarantee that most who've replied here would have her walking up sensibly within ten minutes.

I bloody well got her up the field today with ounce of perseverance I had in my body! I would never ever let her get away with it. We got there and I rode her until she behaved herself. This involved me scolding her bad behavior and pushing on until we achieved sensible well behaved riding.

Which we achieved today.

So not quite sure how the image of be pansying around my horse had been conjured up.