my horse wont pay attention to me!?

Question

i have a small, fenceless arena (we havnt bought fenceing for it yet, and it probly wont happen any time soon) and i practice pleasure with my western horse. my horse pays pretty good attention to me untill we're facing the barn, or passing by it. then he speeds up and looses his almost perfect head set, or he side steps toward the barn and over-reacts to every little move i make. someone said to get a crop or riding whip and some spurs to tell him who's boss, but i dont want to resort to being so forcefull and mean. how do i get him to focus on me and what im trying to teach him, instead of thinking constantly about the barn and his friends?

Answer 1

okay i had the same problem with my horse and he is a gamer who never liked to mind me or anyone else. Well when we got near home it was his way or the highway. I had a lot of suggestions by people and i tried them but they never worked, what you ahve to understand is that horses all have different ways they can learn just like people. But i would try this and im not sure if its going to work since your horse does not get hyper but try it anyhow. Give it some time. Immediatly when your horse gets excited with the barn have him turn around facing the opposite direction at first and out loud i know it may sound funny but tell him i am going to count to ten and start counting out loud to ten if he trys to move move him back and start counting again. My horse was so bad that he ran to the barn and there was no stopping him. and now right after him running barrels in my front yard i can stop him anywhere and when he heres me counting he knows that i mean business and he stands there. Also if you dont think that is going to work i was told to turn them around and walk back where you were and start doing some lessons of any kind usually something a little tiring for him and then try again, He will soon learn as soon as he gets near the barn and he speeds up its ok as long as he wants tpo wear him self out and have another lesson and more riding. Good luck and i would not introduce a pleasure horse to spurs or a whip you should never have to hit a horse to get them to listen to you. And if it still does not work think of something you think might work and he may just like your teaching style better then anyone elses. And ahve faith my horse was terrible when i got him and people i did not not even know told me to get rid of him and now he is one of the best in my county and does whatever i tell him too, beleive in your horse like i am sure he beleives in you, you owe him that much.

Answer 2

Your horse sonds like he is barn sour. To discourage him from rushing towards the barn, make being at the barn just as much work as being in the arena. After your ride, tie him up, keep is saddle on, and do something else, like have a soda or whatever and then hop back on and go back to the arena. Repeat this for a few weeks and he should be ok. I had the same problem with me horse. I dont think force is need and you deifinately dont need spurs, ect. You horse is just trying to get back to his buddies so he shouldnt really be punished for that should he now?

Answer 3

I am assuming that there is fencing around the barn and pasture for the horses to run and be horses, right? I would definitely not use a crop, whip or spurs. Then the horse will not only not listen, he will be scared of you too. That can lead to other behavioral problems outside the ring and could lead to him having issues with the other horses. So, please don't physically harm him. I'm sure with patience and perserverance, he will learn to do what you want him to do. Maybe just take him to a place where he can't see the barn and his buddies.

Answer 4

I never, ever ride my horse to the barn. I mount up at a place away from the barn and dismount in the same place. If you can't ride him in a place that is out of sight of the barn. It might work if at that end of your "arena" you put a physical barrier. Maybe some barrels in a row or some jump standards or a couple of fence panels, something where he can't just walk directly to the barn. If he acts out by trying to get to the barn turn him away from the barn and make him work harder, trot or canter him. Do it every time and he'll get the message.

Answer 5

Stop putting the beer in the barn. Just take a few cold ones with you and together have a variety of places to stop and drink them together. OK, I just guessing here. LOL! But, above are some good things to try. No need bombarding you with 20 different ways. But, make your time together fun and the horse will want out of the barn.

Answer 6

You need to re-direct his focus. When horses react to something by either being scared, nervous or stubborn the most important thing I have found that works is to ignore, when an amimal is unstable to give attention to an unstabe mind only nutures the bad behavior. Try just doing circles on that end of your area, get you horse to bend, drop his head and listen to your leg. You can also try a running martingale for awhile, this will give u leverage, and more control. If you do not want to use spurs try sitting deeper in your saddle and using more upper thigh and butt pressure to drive your horse forward into his head, also antisipate and react before he does this gives you better access to his mind before he can esclate. The less you react and the calmmer you are the better the result. Try not to use nervous, tense, or frustrated enegry.

Answer 7

To keep your horse focused on you, you need to do little things that he won't expect ex: when you pass by the barn suddenly to a small circle or randomly ask him to change directions. Serpentines and figure eights are also another good exercise to get your horse to pay attention to you. Just mix up your routine and keep your horse guessing on what you're going to ask next. You could also try talking to him or just making little noises to keep him paying attention to you. A crop my also help as he starts to misbehave just lightly tap him on the shoulder or hindquarters.

Answer 8

Before he can see the barn, try turning his head away so he cant see it. Let's say you are going right, make sure then you can see his right eye. Also look at his ears. If they are pointing to the barn give him a lil tap with you heels to get his attention. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

beigh barn sour is a pretty hard habit to break but i would start by near the barn but lots of poles and stuff on the ground rid him in ccircles eights over the poles trots canter maybe even a small jump tell him he has!!! to focus on you to know where and what you want him to do next, keep in mind this is not going to be easy!!!

but good luck

Answer 10

You need to be some place where the horse can't see the barn. You also need to reward him when he's listening to you.