Spinning horse, how to solve it?

E

Evntr86

Member
Joined
24 November 2009
Messages
24
Visit site
Hi,

Sorry I know this isn't strictly competiton riders, but I thought people in here may have more experience with sharper horses.

My youngster has learnt how to spin when spooking, and it is worrying me that she will get into the habit of doing it!

Has anyone tried anything that works to stop this from developing into a habit? Would riding in drawreins help as a last resort so I can ride her forwards into a stronger contact? I have avoided them before as she is only 5, but I am at a bit of a loss what else to try?

Many thanks for any suggestions,

E
 
Spooking is quite often a result of being behind the leg, so lots of work on getting the horse off your leg and working forwards anyway may help stop the spooking? Transitions etc?
smile.gif
 
a good hard timely slap!! or 2 or 3! dont fancy the idea of draw reins in a spin!!! might think about a standing martingale for the short term til problem solved! and a bit less grub so horse is not quite so bright!!!
 
Does she have a way which she prefers to spin
if so put your stick in that hand and give her a smack down the shoulder when she does it keep your leg on on that side yet try and keep as relaxed as possible
mares are complicated things - just have to learn how to read when there going to do something mine used to do it allll the time x
 
Easiest way to solve it is to keep spinning - you need to practise this (not on the road), so if they play up in a field that's ideal

You want to keep them spinning using one rein, then once they have stopped, bend the neck the other way and make them spin that way. Then if you can, practise a western spin and keep the neck straight. Make them swap reins and be super responsive before you let them go forward.

After around 10-20mins of this they really think spinning is not good fun as its hard work.

The only time you wouldn't do this is if you want to teach a true spin for western competition, as it wouldn't build good ground work.
 
my gelding does this and has had me off a few times
blush.gif
i learned to stop him by carrying my hands higher and holding his front end. i also discovered he always spun the same way so carry my whip in that hand. spurs have also helped to push him forward... he also does it refusing at the last min at fences
 
Hi,

Thank you for the replies!

Thank you ofcourseyoucan, I just worry that slapping her if she is genuinely worried will reinforce there is something to worry about? But I guess she needs to learn it isn't acceptable.

brushingboots, no, she will spin either way! I am pleased to see other people have had the problem!

CotswoldSJ, thank you, thats what I have done before, using the outside rein to keep her going once she started! She then decided not to go forwards at all though! Should I just keep changing direction until she gives up?

Bluewicked, that doesnt sound like fun regarding spinning in front of fences! Thanks for the tip.

E
 
Yes its a war of attrition and you need to keep spinning on both reins so they they get so utterly fed up that they are grateful to go forward. If not totally off your leg, start again

Babies learn by repetition and a bit like backing them up until they want to go forward, once you win this mental war you can generally kill the habit totally.

No flapping, no nastiness, just fine you want to spin, its on my terms and I say when you stop!

Try this to teach a proper spin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRVUecGomBk
 
When I have had horses who spin i have carried two dressage whips - one in each hand. The minute they spin, say to the left, I twist my wrist so that the whip swings forward i.e. blocking their path as they spin. They spot it straight away as they come round and it usually stops them in their tracks. It also means that you have to do the minimum of moving yourself (no hands taken off reins or anything) so you can work on staying balanced and a little behind, so that you can drive them forward.
Just watch out with spinners that it doesn't escalate into rearing..
 
A fulmer bit may help, perhaps with a martingale. If she is being genuinely green rather than naughty then, when she starts to go, all but drop the outside rein and take a strong hold on the inside rein (pulling out to the side of your hip on an "open" rein rather than back to your stomach). This should catch her head whilst encouraging her hindquarters to step in the opposite direction, making it hard for her to spin. As soon as she responds correctly, praise her. I find they very quickly get the idea with this method.
 
Agree with Cotswoldsj on this; I have used circles/spinning in this way to cure napping and spooking with great success.

Hold a neckstrap if the horse unbalances you when she spins
 
Sheepskin blinkers, long all the way down the cheeks.
Martingale
Spurs
A very hard stick

When she goes to spin smack it on the neck so nearly reaching its head with stick on the side it is trying to go
Then if it carries on spinning, spin it in tight circles and absolute wallop it 2/3 times.

As soon as you have hit it, it MUST go forwards, if not another smack on the bum.

Forwards is they key, make sure when riding they are always in front of the leg and going somewhere then you can actually feel when they are going to do it a bit better.

It may sound harsh but i would rather give them a few smacks now then it become a reccuring problem
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top