How to stop horse galloping towards you when you go into the field

[strawberrymoon]

Whenever I go into the field, my QH will run towards me. He's not doing it aggressively, he just thinks I have food and is pleased to see me, but its too much, too fast for me. I normally say "whoa, whoa" and he will slow down before he reaches me... he never actually runs into me, but it often feels not far off that. He will also often follow me in the field very closely behind and sometimes he feels too close.

Does anyone have any tips for me on how I could teach him to stop doing this?

 

[Cortez]

Carry a lunge whip and use it just enough to keep him at arm's length. Keep him away from you and once he has halted go up and catch him.

 

[Arzada]

he just thinks I have food

Do you have food?

 

[strawberrymoon]

Do you have food?

No, not always... but he's used to me sometimes having food so I think that's the rush. But even if I did have food, should I expect he is going to gallop at me whenever I go into the field? I mean he does stop... so maybe I just need to trust he will stop because he always does... but it makes me feel nervous which isn't a great start to going to see him.

 

[AmyMay]

Is he turned out alone?

 

[strawberrymoon]

Is he turned out alone?

No, he has his friend with him, a little welsh section A... I think that may be part of the rush, he doesn't want the pony to potentially get any food, but sometimes it ends up feeling quite chaotic as then that causes the pony to start running too and then he chases him for a bit and it just feels out of control. I'm quite nervous (which I'm working on) as I'm new to having them both at home and being responsible for everything with them, and still very much learning!

 

[ihatework]

Just had a flashback of an interview I had when I was 19 for an international sj. He handed me a head collar, pointed at a field and said catch that stallion. He will gallop flat out at you, you need to be confident and stand your ground. Well I did as I was told and got the job. But what a bloody way to be initiated!!

 

[Jambarissa]

I have this issue when walking through the herds in the summer and with my own horses if I turn up unexpectedly.

I carry a parelli style carrot stick, it's easier to control than a lunge line. Mine are trained so know that if I flick it to the front or back they're to stay that distance but it usually warns off untrained ones too.

When I'm walking the field in summer I casually slap it on the ground either side of me as I walk or helicopter it over my head, always starting slowly to make sure I'm not triggering anyone! It's very effective in stopping the young buggers suddenly jumping me from behind.

 

[strawberrymoon]

I have this issue when walking through the herds in the summer and with my own horses if I turn up unexpectedly.

I carry a parelli style carrot stick, it's easier to control than a lunge line. Mine are trained so know that if I flick it to the front or back they're to stay that distance but it usually warns off untrained ones too.

When I'm walking the field in summer I casually slap it on the ground either side of me as I walk or helicopter it over my head, always starting slowly to make sure I'm not triggering anyone! It's very effective in stopping the young buggers suddenly jumping me from behind.

Thank you, I will do this, but he does always stop before he reaches me... I will see if it makes a difference, at least hopefully it will make me feel safer on the off chance he decides not to stop one day... and I will work more on ground work with him in case that helps.

 

[Clodagh]

You don’t need to spend a fortune on a branded stick, any old bit of hedgerow will do.
I’d just carry a rope, you can flick it if need be and easy to tuck away if you don’t need it.
When he runs at you stand square on to him, make yourself big, step forward and say stop, very firmly. Fake it til you make it.
ETA hold your arms up or out. Be a scary monster. But not so scary you can’t then catch him.

 

[paddy555]

Thank you, I will do this, but he does always stop before he reaches me... I will see if it makes a difference, at least hopefully it will make me feel safer on the off chance he decides not to stop one day... and I will work more on ground work with him in case that helps.

mine stops in an emergency (out riding or anywhere else) on the voice command of HO shouted loudly. I taught him this.

When I call him up in the field he gallops towards me and when he is close I shout HO and he stops a couple of yards from me. I'm sure he would stop but this alerts him to me being there and gets his attention.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Whenever I go into the field, my QH will run towards me. He's not doing it aggressively, he just thinks I have food and is pleased to see me, but its too much, too fast for me. I normally say "whoa, whoa" and he will slow down before he reaches me... he never actually runs into me, but it often feels not far off that. He will also often follow me in the field very closely behind and sometimes he feels too close.

Does anyone have any tips for me on how I could teach him to stop doing this?

I never find this a problem, with my horses, I wish they would do this, my mare will look up and see me, and you can read her face. " I am going to watch you walk all the way up here and not going to make one step towards you "

 

[little_critter]

I never find this a problem, with my horses, I wish they would do this, my mare will look up and see me, and you can read her face. " I am going to watch you walk all the way up here and not going to make one step towards you "

That’s my mare too. “You want me? You can come and get me”

 

[lynz88]

I never find this a problem, with my horses, I wish they would do this, my mare will look up and see me, and you can read her face. " I am going to watch you walk all the way up here and not going to make one step towards you "

Uugghh my guy too....it's so annoying. He just watches me the whole time, not moving a single foot.

 

[Lois Lame]

I think it would be wise to stop taking food with you when you go to fetch him from the field. Until he realises that things have changed somewhat, do as others have suggested with whatever you have at hand that would be suitable (lunge whip or length of rope to swing around you).

 

[spotty_pony2]

Like this?! he wasn’t charging at me like a bull, I promise - he was mid shaking his head as he was pleased to see me..!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I wouldn't be taking food in either. A stick as an extension of your arm may help. When he approaches you, don't let him into 'your' space until invited. Make him stand or reverse back.