Teaching a youngster to stand?

[Bam.]

Hi.

I have been offered a cob to ride as owner is very busy with work and due to this doesn't have time to hack him or spend much time with him.

Bit of a background. Horse is 6 years old, is backed but really don't think he's broken properly. Basically, he doesn't know how to stand or turn when ridden. If he is out with me riding and there is nobody on foot, he will literally just walk and walk, he won't turn and he will just plod forever. This is a problem as if we approach a road or have to turn, I have to get off just to stop and direct him!
If I lead him, he will stand on command and turn no problem. I have tried voice commands, sounds, legs, hands.. pretty much everything I can think of to no avail.

Don't get me wrong, absolutely lovely dude. Great to hack and ride other than the stopping/turning issue. If hacking with somebody on foot he is also fine and will stop when they ask rather than me.

What do you suggest? Obviously he needs to learn to stand and to turn so this is what we're trying to work on. Does anybody have any suggestions?

We don't have a school but lots of off-road and road hacking if you were to suggest lunging or long reining!!

Thank you.

 

[flirtygerty]

long rein and use verbal commands, till he gets the idea, mine don't need touched to stand, back up etc I just ask them, the youngster was started in the stable, asking him to move over, back up etc, till I didn't need the contact, just my voice

 

[Bam.]

long rein and use verbal commands, till he gets the idea, mine don't need touched to stand, back up etc I just ask them, the youngster was started in the stable, asking him to move over, back up etc, till I didn't need the contact, just my voice

Brilliant. Thank you!

 

[windand rain]

Yup long reining and lots of it ultimately without a foot soldier. If you do have a foot soldier make sure they are trained not to speak to the horse