riding out a temper tamtrum?

[Lyle]

Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt!

I had one horse who was rather erm.. sensitive and easily offended, so have worked through many a temper tantrum. You just have to keep asking calmly and clearly, think of it as an opportunity to correct unnaceptable behaviour.

I do think you can tell when it's a "No, don't want to!" argument rather than a "This hurts!" one. See how he is tomorrow, he might be more obliging

 

[now_loves_mares]

This is an interesting thread, thanks OP. I have a horse with a similar attitude, (recently posted on this) and I tend to take the treat as well meant, and back off. I better get myself some brave pants and ride it through. I'd probably die after 6 minutes though, never mind 6 hours.....

 

[siennamum]

My youngster has had quite a few temper tantrums in the last couple of years. I am a bit zero tolerance about it tbh. If he is passive but refusing to do what I want he just gets persistently asked to do what I asked, he gets a lead, he gets rewarded for trying & I am calm & understanding. If he is actively throwing his toys out of the pram, spinning, rearing etc, he gets to regret it, and will be punished.

This Spring I have asked a few questions which would previously have resulted in a battle/tantrum, he had a half hearted attempt at saying no but gave in almost straight away.

I know it is just attitude, last Autumn I asked him to go somewhere where there used to be a little drainage ditch. We had a number of big fights at the ditch over a year, I always won. The ditch was grown over and invisible in November he hadn't been near it for 6 months but horse turned himself inside out refusing to go near where it had been. No pain, no ditch, no logic - apart from a bad experience at that spot (smacked bottom) and bad attitude.

Today we have been hopping ditches, with no issues, very happy we seem to have come out the other side (he's rising 6 btw).

 

[Gusbear]

My god. I've just been through the same thing. I worked my youngster in the arena happily until yesterday when he decided to spook at some imaginary monster, bolted full gallop down the arena (I didn't realize he could go so fast), bucking all the way (and never bucked before) and I was certain was keen to jump the arena fence to seek quick refuge back at the stables. I persevered but thinking the whole time life would be so much easier without a horse as he fought me the whole time.
Anyway against better judgement I took up the offer today of a hack with some others through the local village, complete with lots of fast, noisy car, kids, dogs and god knows what else. He was an absolute dream. Quiet as a lamb. I realized that as a 4 year old he was getting bored going around in circles in the arena and needed a change.
I've decided that in order to keep him focussed he needs to be stimulated so a weekly hack is certainly on the cards. God only knows I get bored in the arena everyday so he must too.
My next plan is to gallop him on the downs which I hope will get the sting out of him and hopefully make him more focussed in his next schooling session.
I can't understand those that never leave their livery. Poor horses must be going crazy itching get out and experience the world.