won't halt on hack - ideas please

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TommisMum

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I have an 18 yr old horse.
History bought by original owner at 4 from breede, she had him from 4 - 8 I owned him from 8 yrs - 12yrs then he went back to prvious owner and now I have him back.
He is extremely well schooled up to medium and has superb manners in the arena and stable.
When he left me at 12 he hacked well and would halt at junctions and when meting others for a natter. So I know he can do this!

Now whilst he hacks well doesn't spook spin etc he has an annoying habit of refusing to stand at junctions.
At best he will trot on the spot but more often than not he will nap or prance forwards/backwards!

I have spoken to the previous owner and she says she couldn't stop him - but that he'd stand when she took him hunting!

Any suggestions please?
 
Is it possible to hack with another that will stand properly? Once your horse sees the other horse doing it he might remember. Worked for me but then again mine was 4 and learning for the first time by example x
 
Thanks for the suggestion Love
Unfotunately it was in front of 2 beautifully behavd horses that stood well that Tommi decided to really emabrass me!!
He and I walked round and round and round etc... bet they'll never believe me when I say he has maners! But will keep trying that idea though.
 
We are very fortunate that we have lots of friendly neighbours, who we pass on our way out with the horses. We have found that those that don't understand standing about at the side of the road, get the idea really well if the neighbours hand over a treat :) We had an IDx that could not get her head round coffee housing to begin with, then had to be persuaded to carry on walking if she met a neighbour :D
 
I was at a monty Roberts demo last weekend and kelly marks was on her horse Harry, and the exercise was teaching him to stand still. She had her reins loose and when he decided to walk off she allowed him 3 strides and then asked him for rein back for a couple of strides then dropped her reins again when asking him to stand, she just kept repeating the process. It was funny coz you could see him want to move and lean as if he was going to but stopped himself. Maybe try practising away from junctions to begin with and see if this method works. :)
 
Hey Kate Im going to one next week in okehampton! Although Im not a huge follower of his I just thought it would be an interesting watch. Looking forward to it.

OP my girl used to do that. I just do the one rein stop but Id recommend groundwork first so getting horse to flex the neck and rubbing the hind end until he stops moving. Getting horse to back up etc.
 
Using rein back can be effective - you need a nice wide, safe bridleway to practice it on.
The idea is that you are making him move his feet, and if he wants a rest he needs to stand nicely!
Letting him have a little graze can also work, as can taking a person on foot and stopping while they give him a treat. Again, practice the latter in a safe place, before trying it at the bottom of your drive so that it's like a junction.
I know it's a bit different with an older horse, but we've had to teach my 4yo to stand - although he's very good to hack he's a bit anxious so we stand and chat anywhere that it's safe, loiter in gateways while traffic goes past (sometimes we have to as we're on a single track road so it's an essential skill :D ) and he's gradually learning. They just need to realise that it's nice to stand and chill - try not to be anxious or in a hurry at junctions yourself, easier said than done in busy traffic I know!
 
Thanks for the suggestions will let you know how we get on.
Won't try the rein back as he can do this far too well. ...:p
Will update with progress.
 
claribella said:
Hey Kate Im going to one next week in okehampton! Although Im not a huge follower of his I just thought it would be an interesting watch. Looking forward to it.

OP my girl used to do that. I just do the one rein stop but Id recommend groundwork first so getting horse to flex the neck and rubbing the hind end until he stops moving. Getting horse to back up etc.
Click to expand...

hope you have fun! we did :)
 
Start on the ground, say 'Stand' (when he does!) and give him a treat. When he understands the word 'Stand' make the time before asking and giving the treat longer, this will probably only take 2 or 3 5/10 minute sessions, believe me they cop on very quickly with yummy treats involved (just a small bit of carrot/apple, etc). Take this into schooling and then onto a hack.

When he is habituated to the idea of just standing for a period on a hack, you can start to remove the voice command. Though personally, I always carry a few treats and keep it up as if there is something particularly distracting happending, I find I can now refocus him on me and standing still if I want to.

Once established vary the amount of time you want him to stand, so 'Stand' means stand until I ask you to move, not 'Stand' for a count of 3!

Oh, and this method is quite good fun as well!
 
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