My horse has a HUGE attitude problem! HELP!!

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mknight994

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My horse Jack, has a HUGE attitude problem. If he doesn't want to do something, it just wont happen. He's rude in the stable and being ridden. I always keep a short whip in my stable, just in case. (i never hit him unnecessarily) He won't load. and when he does it takes about 45 minutes. If he doesn't want to jump, he wont. Etc...

I do truly love this horse, and have had him for about a year now. He is lovely when he wants to be so i don't want any one suggesting to sell up. :rolleyes:

Hope someone can help!
 
Where are you? I hate Parelli with a passion, been there, done it and my horse HATED it, you will get better results and more trust and respect from your horse with someone like Mick Gavin in Notts, or one of Kelly Marks' Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Associates. If you tell us where you are someone might recommend a good trainer to sort out your relationship with him
 
You obviously love your horse so just let him do what he wants and you will both be happy !!!!!
 
Just before Christmas I got a youngster in who had a serious attitude problem similar to what you've described. Had no respect for anyone would walk right on top of you, would run straight through me every time opened the door even a fraction did the same with the wheelbarrow when mucking out. He also was very handy with his front legs and would paw out at you with them when having a strop. Would decide he wouldn't want to go back into the stable and refuse took me almost 40 minutes to get him in after being ridden everyday the first two weeks. Was edging on pure dangerous to lead and turn out as would walk on top of me, drag me around and then randomly plant himself and decide he wasn't going to walk forward and wouldn't move for ten minutes having a strop. On the lunge he would turn in and go for me when he didn't like what he was being asked to do. In his head he was boss and it was his way or no way.

Do a lot of ground work in hand, leading around the yard getting the horse to stand when you ask and move off when you ask, as if you are teaching a yearling to lead. Make it clear that you are the boss and they must respect your space. If the horse is strong try a lead rope with a chain on it through one side under the chin and out the other side of the headcollar will give you more control without having to use a chiffney. Pat and reward when they have stood up and they'll soon get the jist. Even do this for ten minutes three times a day, don't give them the chance to get bored and misbehave. I wouldn't even attempt loading until he has manners on the ground as it will put you at risk and potentially ruin the progress you've made.

When you go into the stable make sure before entering he is stood well back from you, not in fear but knows he must respect your space. With these kind of horse you really can't give an inch or they'll take a mile so be firm and consistent. Don't give in when they have a strop just be stubborn and persist until they give in. Use the voice too.

The key to my lad is to keep his brain busy. The more work he's in the better he's behaved on the ground. You can now lead him to the field in a head collar leave the door wide open when bringing in hay etc. Know it can be quite scary when their like this but you just need to establish that you are boss and they must respect you and after it clicks you'll have a fantastic relationship.
 
Get some help of an experienced instructor / handler. Horses don't have an attitude to have a problem - they are responding to something in their environment. You need to work out what the issue is - most likely it is a miscommunication and you need to go back to some basic handling skills to start again.
 
mgk_eventing said:
My horse Jack, has a HUGE attitude problem. If he doesn't want to do something, it just wont happen. He's rude in the stable and being ridden. I always keep a short whip in my stable, just in case. (i never hit him unnecessarily) He won't load. and when he does it takes about 45 minutes. If he doesn't want to jump, he wont. Etc...

I do truly love this horse, and have had him for about a year now. He is lovely when he wants to be so i don't want any one suggesting to sell up. :rolleyes:

Hope someone can help!
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Are you sure its the horse has an attitude problem? Maybe you have a bit of a horsemanship and/or rider problem. Get some help from a knowledgeable instructor,make sure the horse respects your space and moves away from you when asked. 'Lovely when he wants to be' is not good. Train him to be lovely all the time, by being consistent with your training.
 
mgk_eventing said:
I train with XXXXXXX who is based in Glos. she is an event rider who has beat Mary King and William Fox Pitt. We are currently working on oxer fears, but just wondered if anyone thought anything different.
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I see from another thread that you have a trainer who you trust. I don't know this trainer at all, but I would be careful if you bank on them beating the mentioned riders as proof of training efficacy.

Eventing is one of the last sports where very ordinary people can 'beat' very good riders on the day, depending on weather the riders had a glitch on course. It is also worth considering that the best riders do not always make the best trainers, so if you are quite new at riding you may need to look at alternate ways to see if they are suitable other than competition record.

If you are satisfied that the trainer you use is good for you (and insured!), then I would ask the question about your horse to her. I would imagine she could start you from the ground in how to firmly but fairly handle your horse/pony, and move onto ridden problems. Horses are generally just...horses, and if you are experiencing difficulties than it may be that the horse is in pain, does not understand, or has just learned that he can do as he wishes with no consequence.

It would be hard for people from an internet forum to know without meeting you and your horse/pony.


ETA- I have starred out her name :)
 
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Red-1 I actually think the opposite - eventing is one of the sports where a decent amateur can beat one of the top riders - provided that the top rider is on a baby horse on one of their first outings :p I know many people who have "beaten" a few top riders but only at a comparatively low level (for the top rider).

I doubt the OP will post on this thread again given her other thread, but for what it's worth, we probably need a bit more information about what being "rude" means. What does he actually do?
 
Red-1 said:
I see from another thread that you have a trainer who you trust. I don't know this trainer at all, but I would be careful if you bank on them beating the mentioned riders as proof of training efficacy.

Eventing is one of the last sports where very ordinary people can 'beat' very good riders on the day, depending on weather the riders had a glitch on course. It is also worth considering that the best riders do not always make the best trainers, so if you are quite new at riding you may need to look at alternate ways to see if they are suitable other than competition record.

If you are satisfied that the trainer you use is good for you (and insured!), then I would ask the question about your horse to her. I would imagine she could start you from the ground in how to firmly but fairly handle your horse/pony, and move onto ridden problems. Horses are generally just...horses, and if you are experiencing difficulties than it may be that the horse is in pain, does not understand, or has just learned that he can do as he wishes with no consequence.

It would be hard for people from an internet forum to know without meeting you and your horse/pony.


ETA- I have starred out her name :)
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apercrumbie said:
Red-1 I actually think the opposite - eventing is one of the sports where a decent amateur can beat one of the top riders - provided that the top rider is on a baby horse on one of their first outings :p I know many people who have "beaten" a few top riders but only at a comparatively low level (for the top rider).

I doubt the OP will post on this thread again given her other thread, but for what it's worth, we probably need a bit more information about what being "rude" means. What does he actually do?
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Ha Ha, I think you read my post not as I intended. I meant it to be read that "Eventing is one of the last sports where very ordinary people can 'beat' very good riders on the day, depending on weather the riders had a glitch on course." As in, most sports nowdays require huge sums of money to succeed, whereas with eventing you can prepare your best and have a lucky day and a pro can have even more experience and support but have an unlucky day, and sometimes new and unfunded people can still beat the pros. It is one of the things that I love about the sport, and yes, it gives me a buzz if I beat a 'name', but perhaps I would not be so happy if a client splashed my name and credentials in this manner on HHO, hence starring her name out.

I think if you read my post again you will see what I mean :)
 
Red-1 said:
Ha Ha, I think you read my post not as I intended. I meant it to be read that "Eventing is one of the last sports where very ordinary people can 'beat' very good riders on the day, depending on weather the riders had a glitch on course." As in, most sports nowdays require huge sums of money to succeed, whereas with eventing you can prepare your best and have a lucky day and a pro can have even more experience and support but have an unlucky day, and sometimes new and unfunded people can still beat the pros. It is one of the things that I love about the sport, and yes, it gives me a buzz if I beat a 'name', but perhaps I would not be so happy if a client splashed my name and credentials in this manner on HHO, hence starring her name out.

I think if you read my post again you will see what I mean :)
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Ha I see now - I read it to mean the same as "that's the last thing on my mind" so thought you meant the opposite. It really doesn't impress me when riders use it as a marker of how good they are. Don't get me wrong, I would have a good giggle down the pub if I managed to beat a top rider, but I would have no grand illusions about my ability or lack thereof!
 
RIGHT, THAT'S IT!

You lot are SUCH bullies! How dare you belittle someone who obviously is in dire need of expert advice!

We ALL know that Parelli carrot sticks and turmeric ARE the way forward!

I'm flouncing out, BUT I will return with several new personas, AND...

...I'm reporting you all to NASA.
 
DragonSlayer said:
RIGHT, THAT'S IT!

You lot are SUCH bullies! How dare you belittle someone who obviously is in dire need of expert advice!

We ALL know that Parelli carrot sticks and turmeric ARE the way forward!

I'm flouncing out, BUT I will return with several new personas, AND...

...I'm reporting you all to NASA.
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ROFLSHMRHFOAIDMCS
(Rolling on floor laughing so hard my riding hat fell off and I dropped my carrot stick)
 
cobgoblin said:
Bits you dip in hummus..along with cucumber sticks.
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