I ride horses (English style) and my horse is constantly pulling and fighting with me, how do I make him stop?

Question

(I don't race horses, but this category is as close as I could get) I already use spurs and a crop, but nothing is working, everything is just making it harder, but if I tell my instructor, she will get mad and say try harder.

I already use spurs and a crop, but nothing is working, everything is just making it harder. The crop and spurs are to make him move a good pace so he doesn't slow down when i try to pull his head in. but my instructor says that i should keep them because they will eventually help.

Answer 1

Will your instructor let you try another horse for say, a week? If that's not possible, will she let you fix his feeling about work by doing some X rails,hack out on the trail, anything different? Horse sounds bored! He is just fussing. Frustrating but easy to fix. It sure does not sound to me as if your not trying, so perhaps a change for you/and horse is good. What is your favorite thing to do on horses that you really want to do? Chat your instructor and a friend or two into doing it! When it gets fun for both of you, there is no problem. Days like that I trailer to the park,relax,ride, and get a fresh idea of what's really going on with one horse. Its fun!

Answer 2

The spurs and crop are NOT going to eventually help, or ever help, I don't know what your instructor thought by saying they would "eventually" work, because all that's going to happen is your horse is eventually going to get desensitized to them! I completely feel for you in this situation, I used to have the same problem. Let me guess what you do when your horse pulls... you pull back.. right? Has your horse learned how to do lateral flexion? If not, it might be a good thing to teach him. To teach him, stand at his shoulder, and comb the leadrope through your hands, gradually putting more force on the rope. If he moves his feet, just ignore it, sometimes it helps to hold have a treat ready, and as soon as he bends his neck without moving his feet, let him "find" it, which will help motivate him to please. Continue practicing this until you are able to do it on his back with a bit in his mouth. Now everytime he rushes, simply bend him to a stop! And whatever you do, don't brace and pull on his mouth!! A good rule of thumb, is whatever you're told to do, do the opposite. While your instructor says spurs, crops, and pulling back hard, try dropping the spurs and crop, and riding loosely, and comfortably for your horse. Once you and your horse are enjoying riding together again, THEN you can start improving your seat, etc. Another thing would be to take a "passenger lesson". This is very un nerving for some people, so please, please, please don't do this unless you are totally comfortable! Put your horse in a roundpen, or arena, mount, and let him go where he wants! If you are only comfortable doing this at a walk, FINE! Everytime he goes to a trot, bend him to a walk! While you do this, place your hands on his withers, and push backwords, getting your seat into place, on your balance point. This will help improve his confidence while being ridden, and make him enjoy it more, eleminating bad habits. And in closing, I'd like to say, remember, if it's uncomfortable for YOU, imagine how it feels for you horse!

Answer 3

You don't say if this horse is yours, or the instructors'. A good instructor should have good verbal skills - it sounds like they rely on humiliation, using their anger. They are being paid to be there - to tell you what they see is right, as well as areas of improvement that are needed, and tell you the details of HOW you can improve your performance, and the horse's, too.
Let's assume that the horse is not "at fault".That said, does anyone else ride this horse with the same equipment you use? Ask the instructor to demonstrate their skill , or the skills of someone they respect, to you - on this horse. Some people are verbal, some are visual .
It sounds to me like this particular instructor is not helping you ( Most people would be tied up in knots, and learning can't or doesn't happen once a creature, rider or horse, is so frustrated). With bad communication from the start, how can you help the horse? If the instructor knows that the techniques they are asking you to use will pay off over an extended time, they should tell you so. Their anger implies that they expect the situation to resolve itself shortly - or else???

Answer 4

Relax your hands. Keep a very light feel on his mouth, but don't be putting any sort of pressure on it. How would you like it if someone had a metal bar in your mouth and was constantly pulling on it? I bet you would be trying everything to evade the pressure!

You may want to find another instructor. The idea of an instructor is to give you assistance and guidance about how to best ride your horse and improve your skills, if she just gets mad and says to try harder, that is not being a good instructor, at least in my opinion. I have had a bad experience with an instructor...she actually made me afraid of riding. Fortunately then got an instructor who got my confidence back and now I will ride just about anything!

Answer 5

You say you wear spurs - these are an artificial aid, used with the leg to encourage a horse to go forward, and therefore probably faster. Do you really need them? He is fighting your hands because you are holding him back. Poor animal. He doesn't know what you want. What do you carry a crop for? Do you use it? If so, why?

Try riding without spurs or crop, drop your hands and relax them, and relax your body. Talk gently and calmly to him, and give him plenty of pats on his neck. You didn't say what sort of bit you use on him - is it very severe?

Your horse could be fighting you for many reasons, such as:-
a) He doesn't get enough exercise
b) He is fed far too much corn
c) He has trouble with his teeth
d) His bit is badly fitted and is making his mouth sore
e) His saddle doesn't fit correctly and is hurting his back.
f) He feels insecure with you on him because he has picked up the vibes from you
g) You are riding him incorrectly.

If you are afraid to tell your instructor of the problems you are experiencing, then I think you should change your instructor, otherwise neither you or your horse are going to enjoy riding together and he will probably get worse.

If you would like an Equestrian/Horse Riding category on here, please go to the Forum, top right-hand corner, and suggest it. Thanks.

Answer 6

First...change your instructor!!!.

The problem you are having could be a result of a few reasons.

1. As mentioned above "it is a game, and the horse is winning"
2. Your horse may be a hot blooded animal, and very sensitive on the bit, as well as afraid of spurs and the crop
3. Your horse needs more training time in the round pin, on a german bridle or side rains.

To pull and figh your horse, you only allow him to understand that he is stronger than you, and once he gets that, you will never enjoy your horse. You need to find yourself a good horse trainer, with experiance as a riding teacher, but dominantly a horse trainer.

I would dump the spurs, ride the horse on a launge rope without stirrips, and try to work the mouth using rythme rathetrthan force, as well as riding with a german bridle.

The crop and spurs are tools, for improved riding, contact and repetition work. They are not for calming aggresive horses, at all.

I would also suggest you get a few hours on the saddle every week on a well trained school horse before you try taming your horse with your lack of experiance.
Best of luck
RoyW

Answer 7

I am a little confused by your question, usually when you use artificial aids such as spurs or a crop you use them for speed on a lazy horse.
If you can't get your horse to stop then your horse is probably considered "forward". Why are you using a crop and spurs on a forward horse? It is better to use natural aids unless necessary.

First of all your instructor should not get mad at you for having a problem with your horse. It is her job to help you through situations, control your horse, help improve you equitation, and help you help your horse. A paid, experianced professional should not just say "try harder" but try to explain things to you and show you what you are doing wrong.

Anyhoo, here's some tips on fixing your problem:
*Only use half holts. (pull half way and release) Do not just pull back.
* What she is doing when she pulls is fighting for the bit. Make sure you are not too hard on her mouth, and try loosening your reins a little and let her have her head. She may relax and be easier for you.
* If she has plenty of rein and still keeps jerking she is trying to pull the reins through your hands so that you don't have contact with her mouth. When she does this give her a sharp pull and then relax the reins again to make her stop fighting for the reins.
*To make her halt, sit deep in the saddle and say "whoah" In a deep voice.
Give her a few half holts untill she comes to a complete stop. Reward her for standing quietly.
* If she becomes to much of a hassle make her stop and stand still for a few minutes as the other riders continue on with their workouts. Reward her as she stands still for you.
*Some horse toss their heads. When they do this you lose contact on the bit. If your horse does this you should look in to purchasing a martingale.(A strap that prevents headtossing)

I have ridden a few forward horses, the trick is to stay relaxed and keep yourself collected before you move on to higher speeds and such or things will get out of control. Its also a matter of knowing when to tighten and when to loosen your reins. Using spurs and a crop is probably why your problem is getting worse.

Best wishes!

Answer 8

I don't race horses either, however I do train working cow horses. Sounds like you have recieved a lot of good advise and there is a definate theme. All of horse training is a "give-take." You need to teach your horse that when he is doing right you'll stop pestering him. So when he is at a pace you like you need to give him his head by letting off of the reins. Yes that is what everyone else has told you also. I also agree that there is a time and a place for both spurs and a crop, THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR PLACE. To achieve the pace you want you need to sit down on the saddle, at a walk, rock your pelvis forward so you butt contacts the saddle, Collect his head and firmly squeeze in and up with your calves... keep your heels off of him. As soon as he brings his nose in towards his chest let off of the reins completely and give him his head back. You may need to firmly see-saw with your pinky's on the reins a little to convince him to give you his head. As soon as he gives, you give back, so he know's he's doing right. Your trainer should be helping you with this not scaring you away.

Answer 9

First, racing is much different than hunt seat.... So as far as I understand this a hunt pleasure horse, and when you are asking him to do things he says "no" and pulls on your hands. I am a Vet Tech/Equine Science student... and we had a bunch of horses like this for out hunt class. Make sure that first you are not your self pulling to hard on him. It is important in hunt seat that you have just enough tension on the rein so that you give the horse his freedom, yet dont have to pull up to your eye brows to correct this horse. I think when this horse is doing that he is either not understanding what you want (what is his training level), or he is just being bratty and telling you know. It is important you know which is his problem. What I would do is if he is leaving you alone, leave him alone. His REWARD will be leaving his mouth alone. When he starts fighing and "spitting the bit" then see-saw him until he gives and and then IMMEDIATLY give him a reward (leave him alone). Start out with easy sea saws, and then gradually move to harder ones until the MOMENT the horse gives in, then REWARD him. This will take lots of repition... and remeber it has to be a REWARD for doing the correct thing, and it has to be the moment the horse gives you just even a tid-bit of what you want. Another thing to know is to keep on him if he is fighting... dont quit sea sawing if he is fighting you until he gives in... then QUIT and REWARD. If you quit before he does what you what, then you will TRAIN HIM TO DO THE WRONG THING by accident. So remember...

When he starts fighting......

1: Sea-saw the bit in the mouth
a. start soft, and get harder with sea-saws
b. keep going until he gives in even the slightest bit

When he gives in a little....

2: Stop sea-sawing as REWARD

Then he will start fighting a bit... go back to one... some day you will get to #2 and never have to go back to one.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 10

Are you using a light snaffle? You might want to try something in his mouth that will make him think next time you touch the reins. Not too severe, but use something to get his attention and then give and take with the reins. When he isn't pulling, let him have his head. When he starts to pull, take a hold and bring him back to you. I don't think you should use a crop and spurs, that is sending a mixed message. Those are used for moving forward.