Why is it so hard to train my Appaloosa?

Question

I am having trouble training my 2yr. old Appaloosa, She doesnt like to have her hooves clipped and shes always nipping people. I can saddle her and get on but no matter what, she just wont obey my commands. Somebody please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,
with this horse she is not respecting you at all, bascially.
Therein lies the main problem that will prevent you from further training..so lets get her to respect you first ok?

Ground work is KEY to gaining repect from the horse, and teaching them that you are their leader, NOT the other way around.

I suggest alot of lunging in a round pen or arena or anywhere you have enough room to lunge her, make her walk, trot, stop, change directions, and while you in the center of her circles, you still need to "chase" her from behind with the whip--that gives her the proper "cues" to give you what you want!
Trust me, She wont even need to feel the sting of it, not that the whips hurt when you have to tap them anway but she has to learn that you are the "lead mare"...not she.

20 min sessions of this once or twice a day will really show you a difference in her if you are consistent. I cannot stress enough the importance of consistency!
If you have no experience doing ground work with horses please just google it & research a little before beginning, and better yet find someone you TRUST who can teach you how to work the horse like that.

I had so much trouble with my Arab when I 1st got him, in fact the reason I got him so cheap is the previous owner (woman like me) could not get him to obey her, to the point she couldnt even ride him! He basically had her "buffalowed", remember ...the first battle the horse wins with you...the harder it remains to continue training no matter what horse, what age, what trainer, period.

I do not suggest harsh methods, but rather patience & PERSISTENCE!
Both are soooo so important. Most horses will eventually give in, using treats as lures & rewards are fine the first time but do NOT make it a pattern or you have created a whole 'nuther problem lol!
The best rewards are verbal praise and loving up on them!

If you can find someone who is a good horseperson w/experience up the ying yang to mentor you, help you at all in person that is best, & you have literally hit the jackpot!
But you need to be sure they will not be too rough with your mare, so please...***know thy trainer for they can sometimes teach horses more bad habits than they came with!

Finally I love http://www.yahoogroups.com !!!!!!!!!
Check it out..there are many horse training related groups to join, Im on a couple that have people with all levels of experience, and more than willing to help others...thats why we are there..to learn, help and share info:)
You may even find that someone near you would help you out!

Best of Luck to you & your Appy too, I just Love Appys!
I can be reached at [e-mail] if you have ??'s about my reply ok?
Oh yeah..what color pattern is yours?? Love how diff. they all are:)

Jill Anderson

Answer 2

Why is it so hard to train your appaloosa? BECAUSE IT'S AN APPALOOSA! I swear those things are 1/2 mule. They're stubborn and ornery. I'd never own one....no offense.

Answer 3

Sounds like she could use 60-90 days or more with a trainer to get her green broke. Then you could go from there.
That is a much easier starting point than nothing. As least they know the commands and will try to give you what you are asking for.
Look in the newspaper under horses for sale most areas have quite a few people who train. Or ask your farrier some of them also train.
Good luck.

Answer 4

She might be harder to train than any other horse you've trained, but that's okay. I suggest that you get a trainer or another horsey friend that has trained a horse help you train your appy. Hope this helps! Good luck!

P.S. Patience is the key to training all horses, so be sure to stay patient and not get uptight when your appy does something wrong. Praise her when she does something right! Have fun!

Answer 5

apps are no harder to train than other breeds...many have so much QH in them the only thing app is maybe the color. The downranking of the breed doesn't help train the horse.
As for the 2 year old - she's a baby. She needs boundaries; she doesn't obey commands because you're not making it clear what you want her to do. Get a trainer/instructor to help her learn the proper way. I've trained apps and like any horse they will fullfill your expectations. You think she's difficult she WILL be difficult. Work on your communication with her instead of thinking she should just know what you want. At two she doesn't know what you want...she is no different from a green quarter horse or paint or arabian - she's green and needs boundaries, discipline, praise and clear communication. Read, learn, find a trainer.

Answer 6

Good question.Get her a professional trainer.Or you can show him/her what wil happen when she doesn't obey.Cut down on treats and stuff(carrots, etc.)But it might be a young age to be training her yet.Give her a little time and be more patient.Smaller horses are a little trickier and take more work.Don't use a whip too much because it will be a rambunctious horse and will just get harder to train.

Answer 7

Two years is awful young to be riding regularly. Go slow, be consistent (half hour EVERY day) with ground work, and only ride at the walk now.

Find a trainer, and work with him/ her to train your horse. Start with round pen work, long lines, and manners. Voice commands are vital in teaching a young horse to 'go' and 'whoa'; when the time comes, it'll be immensely helpful to lunge and have them learn walk, trot & canter.

Aside from all that, yes, Appies can be tough, but that's why I love 'em.

Answer 8

appaloosas are notoriously hard to train they have been crossed so many times it has made them extremely stubborn don't get me wrong i love them and once you gain their trust they are extremely loyal and one people horses that's all i have or will ever own due to that fact , I would suggest a trainer they are not easy horses to handle especially if it is your 1st 2 year old , just remember they are babies any 2 year old is going to have issues , it takes time patience and consistency if you let her get away with it once they will always try to get away with it another thing it is a mare and they tend to have attitudes anyway trust me i know i have a 2 year old blue roan appy and she gets in her moods . any way good luck .
if i can help you at all with any of your issues you can e-mail me privately and i can offer suggestions ,
Amy
[e-mail]

Answer 9

YOu need to go to a trainer that can teach you how to train you horse

Answer 10

give it some time..shes only 2!...it took two years to train my energetic morgan mare. . But nipping is a bad habbit dont feed her treats, and wack her on her mouth whenever she nips. It might seem harsh but she has to learn not to bite!. clipping is hard to teach but get her familiar with the clippers. maybe turn on the clippers in her stall to get her used to the sound of them. have patients she will learn sometime. good luck!

Answer 11

If you take a 7 year old child out of grade 2, and then put them in a univercity class, they won't know what to do, they'll get in trouble, they'll lash out.

Your horse doesn't know anything. She doesn't respect you. As everybody said, concentrate on ground manners. You can't ride them if you can't control them on the ground. Getting violent won't help either. You smack her if she bites you, she'll just learn to bite you faster then you can smack.