horse i ride doesnt respect me?

Question

I only ride him once a week (he`s not mine, i ride him at a stable and take lessons) but when we`re in the round pen, my instructor has to keep him going, and in the big pen, where sometimes i ride with my cousin and the horse she rides, he will go, and then just stop. and he DOES NOT go. i beg and plead and i do everything right, trust me, and he just settles himself and snorts. any good tips? even if it`s obvious. i`m just not sure what to do.

Answer 1

M to the
Oh my ROFL. OK, my feeling is that it has nothing to do with respect,and everything to do with boredom. I love how you described his "settles himself ans snorts".That's one smart and uninspired horse. He's very determined to do as little work as possible,and being a lesson horse its a way of life for him. Here is a thought: are there any trails you and cuz can ride on? Anything...fun? He might like low cross rail jumps, trail courses in the ring,something mind expanding. What is your favorite thing you ever wanted to do on horses? If its barrels, dressage,polo,etc beg and plead with your instructor to move you on in that direction! The horse will love it.
I'm currently trying to convince a broodmare to leave the ranch.. in walk at least, and its like unsticking gum form a shoe! (and I think shes threatening to call her lawyers). So, I carry carrots..its a bribe thing, and its working. We have great respect for each other,and I understand her lack of motivation. Just like"barn sour" there is "ring sour" and your lesson horse is sooo that. Its totally not your fault.Its just time to leave the pens and go have fun.
Luck !

Answer 2

Yup....that's horses....the poor old school horses that it sounds like you ride sure know how to protect themselves from having to work....perhaps he is just bored with lessons...can someone take him out for a hack once in a while or is it not that kind of stable?? anyway be assertive don't give up use your legs and cluck to him...maybe get your instructor to get on him and show you how she gets him to move and then copy what she does....if all else fails this horse has got your number for sure!!! ask for another horse who is a bit more generous than the one you are using now...good luck....and don't give up!!!!

Answer 3

I don't know much about horses, but I've only been on one. No one told me she was pregnant! I did what I see others do all the time and kicked her to go faster. She bucked me off quicker than ever! I was shocked and didn't understand. I haven't been on one since then (I was only about 12) but I think they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Answer 4

it sounds like you need to be more assertive with the horse, but not aggressive.

also, you have to take a look at your level of confidence. animals can sense those things. you gotta go there and believe that you will be able to get the results you want. once you believe it, i'm sure the horse will follow suit.

Answer 5

School horses are smart and will test their rider to see what they can get away with. If you make yourself vulnerable they WILL take advantage of you because they just figure "hey less work for me!"

If you let the horse get away with is once then trust me, there's no turning back! Your horse will try to do it constantly and it will become an ongoing problem.

Start your net lesson fresh and be ready for this. Make him keep up a good paced walk as soon as you get on. Keep contact with your legs and as soon as you feel him start to slow down even a little, make him go faster. Its best just to prevent it from happening in the first place.

If he won't move or you can't get him to go faster here are some tips:
* Instead of kicking with your legs use your heel. Give a little bump and then press up. Its much more affective and chances are you are kicking with your calves which even though it might take all your might, it doesn't help much.
* Ride with a crop. Some people think artificial aids as the such are cruel but as long as you keep this in mind ( squeeze and cluck, then kick, then crop) you should be fine. You really aren't going to hurt a 1000 pound horse.
*If your horse comes to a dead stop, ask him to go forward. If he doesn't move give him in a direction and see if he moves forward. You might have to turn him in a tight circle but keep in mind that you still have to kick. If you don't then once you complete your circle you will be right back where you started and going no where.(literally)
*if you have troubles keeping him at a trot, then squeeze on every down beat of the post.

Try something new like riding in the field or riding with other horse or just something that will make him perk up. Horses, especially school ponies, can get bored of the same routine every day (its like going to school, so yeah they're gonna try to get out of it). Last summer I rode a very lazy horse that had one thing on her mind (food, food, food!) But once in the jump ring it was almost hard to get her to slow down!

Watch other people ride this horse. Can they get her moving? If so then you are just letting her take advantage of you. You need to show her who is boss. Who is driving the bus and who is just along for the ride?

Ask your trainer what she thinks you should do, its her horse and she probably knows what will get her moving.

Best wishes!

Answer 6

Since he is a school pony and not your own- then you can't really monitor how other people are treating him or riding him. Other school riders may be letting him get away with his nasty habits and as for your instructors- they should be riding him to keep him up on his manners.
I would suggest talking with your parents about either finding another stable for you to take lessons at- because to the sound of it for me....you and your family are not getting their money's worth. If your parent's aren't willing to switch riding stables then my other suggestion would be to talk to the lesson master or the head riding instructor. Explain that you don't feel that you are getting your hour's worth of riding in because the horse they continue to place you on is disrespectful and uncooperative.

Let me remind you- it is not your place to correct a problem of a horse that does not belong to you. YOU are paying money to ride and at that have a lesson with what is suppose to be a "qualified instructor.". If you were going to retrain or correct their horses disrespectful behavior- they should be paying you. Not the other way around.

Answer 7

begging & pleading will do nothing for a stubborn horse, except make them laugh at you.

this horse knows you are not in charge, & that he can call the shots when you ride. You need to be firm, have the attitude that "Yes, you are going to move when I say!!". Try carrying a crop when you ride, or see if you can get some small spurs. (go with the crop first).

horses can understand the attitude you project. If you project confidence, he will respect that.

Answer 8

Horses can have such strong personalities! I'm sure its nothing that you're doing. If you're paying the instructor she (or he) should be willing to find you a more cooperative horse or at least tell you what you're doing "wrong". Its impossible to know online unless I can see the horse's behavior.

When I rode I learned that squeezing the horse's sides and putting "energy" into going forward sometimes works. Its hard to explain from a keyboard. :)

Answer 9

Horses don't really respect or disrespect. Some are just so smart that they know what they can get away with. Give it time, listen to your instructor, and don't let yourself get frustrated. Riding will get a whole lot more fun when you're figuring things out. Everyone will learn on their own schedule, and some ponies will be more "cooperative" than others. Maybe ask to be given a more cooperative pony so that you can practice the things that you need to practice...

The two thumbs down has inspired me to explain my "horses don't respect or disrespect" comment. We use the term "respect the aids" (natural aids= legs, hands, voice, weight, etc...artificial aids= crop, spurs, whip, draw reins, etc). The word "respect" is interchangable with "listen" in the horse world. A horse might develop a good, trusting bond with it's owner/rider...but I don't think it's the horse respecting the person. Actually, quite the oppostite. It's the PERSON respecting the horse.

Many lesson ponies will get sour, like as you described your lesson pony. It is VERY frustrating to ride, and it's true that a good riding school will have their best riders school these ponies/horses on occassion to keep these mounts "fresh." The problem is, lots of beginners get on these lesson ponies. The beginner riders lack that respect for the animal because they don't know any better. The riders will normally yank at the horse's mouth, kick at the horse's sides, and bounce on the poor animal's back. These lesson ponies can only take so much....

So, my answer is to NOT yank, kick and bounce. Perhaps carrying a crop/bat will cause your lesson pony to LISTEN to your aids a little better. Perhaps asking the pony for a circle to get him/her moving might do the trick. I can't tell you what to do because I have never ridden your pony/horse. Your instructor will know better than ALL of us!!!

Good luck. Again, don't let yourself get frustrated.

Answer 10

It's not a respect issue it's a LAZY issue or maybe he doesn't like the way you are riding him!

1)When you trot constantly squeeze with you calves every time you post down to keep him going!

2)Your horse needs to listen to you and if he doesn't respond to a squeeze, kick him, if he doesn't respond to those then it's time for a little spank on the bottom with a crop!

3)Are you energetic and excited when you ride? If you are constantly tired and worn out it can also affect your horses mood--

4)Do you ride in circle around the round pen lap after lap? Give your horse something new! He is probably bored! get him out of the round pen and do some trails, do excersizes in the pen, figure eights, etc... and keep his mind with you and busy!

GOOD LUCK and If you need more help or have any more questions please feel free to contact my equine help hotline by adding Equine Help 101 to your buddy list for prompt answers and advice! I can probably help you out more this way by having some one on one convos!