I Have a throughbred mare horse, I need to tame her down. She was used as a brood mare for 2 years,can halter?

Question

She has been ridden about 3 times before she was put in a smaller pen. then she started bucking every one off,every time they rode her. So we have not rode here for 3 months but have ben working with her with combing and cleanig her hoaves. This is my first horse and really want to do it right. If any one can help please do so.She is back in a bigger pen now and seemes to like it better.Also I am feeding her grain and alfalfa. Do I need to get her some vit. also?

Answer 1

How experienced are you with training horses? Have you broken any colts before or trained older horses? If you've never done any of this, I don't suggest you starting off with this mare.

First off, is she kept in a pen all the time? This could be a big part of why she's bucking, especially if you're feeding her alfalfa. Alfalfa will give horses extra energy and add on a lot of weight. Also what kind of grain are you giving her? Don't give her sweet feed, this will also give her extra energy. Sweet feed is basically sugar - it makes them hyper and even rots their teeth. I'd suggest crimped or rolled oats.

Try turning her out in a pasture if she isn't already. Horses need to roam and move and graze. This is natural for them, and it releases stored up energy and stress. She doesn't have to be in a pasture all the time. If you can't offer all day or night, at least turn her out a few hours a day.

As for the training aspect, it's good that you're handling her by grooming, etc. Unfortunately, this is not going to help much with her riding. Before you even think about riding her, you need to build up a relationship with her on the ground. Read books on equine behavior, natural horsemanship, and other horse training methods. You need to establish yourself as alpha horse in the round pen. A good book I can suggest to you for this is Monty Roberts' "The Man who Listens to Horses". It even gives you a step by step guide on how to join-up with your horse.

Then you can start teaching her things such as leading manners, giving to pressure, etc. Ground manners are essential before you ride her again. I can't explain to you how to achieve this online, so I'd suggest hiring a professional horse trainer to help you. Also remember, you'll have to get her back into shape before you actually start working her in the saddle. A horse can get out of shape in as little as two weeks...so imagine what three months has done!

Good luck hope all goes well

Answer 2

Smaller pen larger pen doesn't matter. Is she ever turned out with other horses? Is she allowed to run free to release all the energy stored up from the grains? A better diet means nothing if the muscles are not burning it up. Bucking people off: What type of saddle? Do you use a belly strap? Do you get back on? Try having a lead with someone in charge while you start to ride. A horse will know if she or he bucks everyone off, eventually no one will ride. There are a few things you can do:
Instead of me typing the answer go to the following web page:

http://psyeta.org/hia/vol8/kurland.html

Also, patience and percervierence.

Answer 3

This sounds like too much of a horse for you. You need a professional trainer to learn how to ride properly and she needs training. You can't just take a brood mare, or any horse that's had no training, and expect her to know what to do. You also need to consult an experienced horse person regarding her diet. Just grain and alfalfa is way to rich for a horse that's not being ridden on a regular basis.

Answer 4

First, if she's not being ridden on a daily basis, quit feeding grain, especially if she is in a large field with plenty of grass and free access to hay. There is supplement the Purina makes for this particular situation. It makes sure that the horse gets all the vitamin and minerals, but without all the carbohydrates and fats of a grain. I can't remember the name of it right know, but your local Purina dealer should be able to. Second, get a qualified trainer, she is too much horse for a first time owner. If you can't afford a trainer, sell her and buy something more suitable for a beginner. Horses like this are destined to people who have done this before. Any of the natural horsemanship trainers usually list their certified trainers on their websites. I would suggest checking their websites for trainers in your area. Good luck,

Answer 5

Okay, first of all I would lay off of the Alfalfa, it is high in energy and is known to make horses hyper. Try Timothy hay instead that may calm her down a bit. Also if she is in a round pen then she needs to blow off some energy. Try lunging her and once she trusts you more you can introduce her to a bridle and surcingle and long reign or ground drive her. Before you start training she has to be in good physical shape and in good mental condition, that is she needs to trust people and respect you when it is time to get to work. Once she gets in shape and learns to respect you then you can start to introduce the saddle and break her. Time and patience is key and persistence pays off. Take it slow and build her trust but maintain her respect and you will be riding soon enough. Try consulting a trainer for training tips and proper instruction on how to lunge and long rein so you do not get hurt. Good Luck!

Answer 6

First I would take her off the grain and alfalfa hay and change to a timothy or brome hay. I would also get her back checked. It could be sore and make sure your saddle fits her properly, that could be why she is bucking. Start by doing some round pen work to get her to respect you. Watch a video by Chris Irwin for some help, it seemed to be the best video I watched for round pen work.
Good luck. Re-make horses are hard.

Answer 7

Have you had her checked by a vet? That way you can get a specific recommendation for your mare about her feed and vitamins she may need.

Since this is your first horse, and she's a little rusty on her manners, I'd recommend a natural horsemanship course like Parelli's. You'll learn how to become friends with your horse and teach her to follow you as the leader. It'll really help build a wonderful relationship. We use this method on our rescue horses, and it has had excellent results on the most abused horses in our care.

Answer 8

Yes they're a mare only for breeding. They mainly have well bloodlines and the breeder needs to move them on. Most mares have a foal each and every 12 months till they're too historic to have to any extent further infants. Then they're mainly offered for a gorgeous affordable fee, given that they're mainly additionally to historic to be ridden a lot and don't seem to be mainly knowledgeable to journey.

Answer 9

Not your best choice for first time horse owner......

Alfalfa will make horses crazy. Only high performance horses need alfalfa, so switch to regular hay.....that should calm her down some

grooming her is a good foundation.........as for riding, you probably need to find a trainer.....

Answer 10

brood mares are alot of work. your doing good so far. it will just take time to get on her. spend a week or two just ground walking her with a saddle on her back. let her get the feel of it. then slowly put one foot in the stirrup and put yourself up. don't get on, just put the weight on her, if you can have someone walk her around with you like that. then just lay across the saddle. if she starts to buck its easier to slid off than get throwen. practice this for a few weeks. if she does great reward her with a treat. then slowly one day just sit on her back. don't walk, don't move. just talk to her. then get off and put her up. after a while she will get the point and not buck you off. good luck. be safe. just don't rush it.