How to get a young horse used to other horses?

[jstrezynska]

Hey all,

I'm currently riding a 5 y/o who is extremely distracted by other horses. If they are with him in the arena, he tries to follow, if they are next to arena (for example people going in and out from hacks) he jumps, tries to run up to the gate, calls out a lot, overall looking like he misses being in the herd. Is there anything I can do while riding to get him relaxed and used to this as it's been really affecting our rides and I feel uneasy when I suddenly feel him tensing up and completely forgetting about our session.

 

[JackFrost]

My 4 year old is like this - very distracted by any other horses. I think it's partly a confidence thing. Mine has got steadily better with experience. Depending on the situation, I sometimes allow him to stop and process the encounter/chat to the other horse, or if the other horses are being excitable or showing too much interest, I tell him very firmly to ignore them. If yours is being really difficult ridden, personally I would get off and lead from the ground if this gives you more control.

What can help is to have a set piece 'routine' that your horse has learned to do, eg, some circling + steps backwards, and when your horse is distracted, ask him to do his routine, kind of gives him something else to focus on, gets his mind back on you. I'd say just keep going and don't lose heart- it's a young horse thing and will get better. Hopefully others here may have more experience of this and perhaps some other ideas.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

What could be a big help (when things get going) is to travel out for training, arena hire etc very regularly, even possibly group training like riding club when you would work with a coach and 1 or 2 others.

 

[stormox]

A lot of horses are like this, mine included. All you can do is when its allowed get her out and about as much as possible. Hire arenas, enter a few low level shows etc