How to get horse listening to me?

hamper05

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A horse that I'm riding doesn't really listen to me either out on hacks or in the arena- he doesn't completely ignore me but he always has his ears pricked up and looking in different directions. What can I do to make him a bit more tuned towards me?
 
I'd just keep his concentration by being more interesting than the outside environment, so he chose to pay attention to me, rather than being forced to obey. Transistions are good, but also changes of direction, leg yield, shoulder in, different exercises etc. But, horses are perfectly capable of paying attention to what's going on around them & a rider at the same time, it doesn't have to be either/or.
 
LOL My thoughts would be how long do you manage to focus your attention on him??? Before your thoughts wander of to 'what is that over there' 'what's for tea tonight' or other thoughts not connected with the moment!! Just as an experiment try it. Hold the lead, look at the horse and stay in the moment....I bet it's not long before you glance at you watch to see how long it has been!!!! Other than that you have several options above!!
 
Well, to elaborate on the points made above... What are you saying that he has to listen to? I guess you are just sitting and enjoying the view as he is probably doing. That's what I do on hacks... I let him take in the view and I do at the same time. You know, a bit of chillaxing time. I might sing. I might have a conversation with myself (I am old and batty) it's expected.

However, if you want to incorporate some dialogue between you, ask a question. Ask for leg yield, ask for a shoulder in. Ask for a collected trot. Ask to stop. Ask for rein back... So many questions you could ask. You only have to try.

Then, at least you know you CAN have a conversation so that if I am off in my own world and a sheep runs out in front of us, a quick squeeze of the leg means we have just had a conversation about stopping and seeing where the bloody hell it came from! :D
 
This is is my mare, but in the extreme. She has zero concentration she is very spooky and is too busy being in edge and I guess looking out for her life lol, yes our outdoor school poses a threat to her life. I find it so hard sometimes getting her to listen let alone go in an outline.

What you need to try is the following ;
A) you must have your horse off your leg and forwards (this is no' 1 key)
B) every time your horse fixates on something turn in opposite direction
C) with horses like this, you have to be busy and consistent with them. So transitions (not the odd one here or there, a hundred transitions - transitions within the pace too that includes.
C) don't wander around on the track, ride using the while school lots of movements - so much so they start to listen as not sure what's coming next. Use pole (not necessarily three trot poles but pole scattered around, poles to circle around, poles shaped like a square ride over, through, around etc you get the idea... But remember if and when your horse looks or fixates go the opposite way. Good luck :-)
 
This is is my mare, but in the extreme. She has zero concentration she is very spooky and is too busy being in edge and I guess looking out for her life lol, yes our outdoor school poses a threat to her life. I find it so hard sometimes getting her to listen let alone go in an outline.

What you need to try is the following ;
A) you must have your horse off your leg and forwards (this is no' 1 key)
B) every time your horse fixates on something turn in opposite direction
C) with horses like this, you have to be busy and consistent with them. So transitions (not the odd one here or there, a hundred transitions - transitions within the pace too that includes.
C) don't wander around on the track, ride using the while school lots of movements - so much so they start to listen as not sure what's coming next. Use pole (not necessarily three trot poles but pole scattered around, poles to circle around, poles shaped like a square ride over, through, around etc you get the idea... But remember if and when your horse looks or fixates go the opposite way. Good luck :-)

Thank you :)
 
A horse that I'm riding doesn't really listen to me either out on hacks or in the arena- he doesn't completely ignore me but he always has his ears pricked up and looking in different directions. What can I do to make him a bit more tuned towards me?

I think it's you that must listen to your horse rather than expect him to immediate reckon that you are "IT"!

My own wondermare started life with me and Mrs FC as a school horse - and had that "OMG who have I got on me back this time" air about her for ages - I actually called her an "old plodder" as the school had two more illustrious looking steeds for sale at the time. However; Mrs FC became besotted and I came round to the same way of thinking - I bought the mare and took to riding her out everyday - as you might know - a spooky thing to do with a school horse used to going out in a string! So we had many adventures and I did much gazing into those big brown/blue glazed eyes wondering what was going on inside the big head. I was still learning about her nearly twenty years and what 17,000 hours in her saddle so patience, patience, patience. Most of all: be constant.
 
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