Help with a bossy horse?

Question

My horse Dakota is really bossy.He is 12 year old gelding and has had kids on him alot who just sat on him and he could do what he wanted. He is allmost bombproof so no problems there ,but like we are trotting along and he just stops suddenly and eats grass(fatty)and its a constant battle to keep him going straight. So does anyone have any ideas to make him a bit more obediant?

just a few more things to say im not getting him reschooled , im experiened enough to deal with him i've had the same problems with other horses but they were not as persistent as he is , I just whack him with the reins so i dont use spurs or crop and im trying to be gentle with him as he has such a good nature and I dont want to turn him sour

and what the hell is why did you marry the guy mean?

Answer 1

I'm having a simular battle with my horse, but with out the food involved he just decides that he doesn't want to move.
So I'll tell you what has been working for me and what I would do about the eating grass thing.

I will ask my horse once to move and if he doesn't I will kick him and continue to kick him untill he moves( I don't use spurs either). Seeing as how you would like to continue to be gentle with I would start with a normal kick that you would give him for miss behaveing and continue to kick him harder untill he does respond, this way, it is his fualt that he got kicked hard, becuase he did not move when you asked him to.

When he goes down for grass, take all the slack out of one rein, so that his head is bent to one side(takeing the slack out of one rein makes it easier on you, as they are strongest when their neck is straight), then ask him to move his hip around a few circles, then releas him and ask him to walk straight. If he does not want to move straight or when you ask him to move his hips start kicking him starting of lightly than getting harder and harder untill he moves his feet.

What is he doing to avoid going straight, is he turning or going through his shoulders? I might be able to help more.
Pleas feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or need help with something else. My e-mail address is [e-mail].
Good luck.

Answer 2

Okay -- I know you may not want to use a crop, but I (personally) would definitely use a crop in that situation. I don't wack them super hard -- Just tap them with it and that usually does it:P Before you ride him, try lunging him until he does EXACTLY what you says at least 2-3 times around (it may take awhile but it works). That will tell him that you're the boss, and that should help a little bit.
Also, when he goes for the grass, either A) Circle him -or- B) Slap him on the neck and "scold" him (again, it does NOT hurt the horse---it shows them who's boss---NEVER slap the horse in the face tho)
"Gentle" may not be the way with this horse---You HAVE to show him who's the boss. He's taking advantage of you and he knows he can do it. Again, NONE of this hurts the horse. I would NEVER do anything that hurts a horse, but you HAVE to be firm with him.

Answer 3

ok, i've got resisted answering the biting questions on the grounds which you will all think of that i'm nuts. i do no longer hit my horses while they bite, or kick yet I do react to it. have you ever rather watched horses out in a pasture jointly? Watch how the lead horse reacts while yet another horse impedes on his/her territory. A squeal and a glare is often all it take to set it right this moment. in fact a noisy noise and moving the different horse ft, as little stress an important as much as mandatory. If the different horse rather bites her, she would be in a position to squeal, and turn and face that horse and run that horse off, merely biting that horse if she feels that the pony isn't moving speedy sufficient. Now you spot the place Nature horsemanship gets all of it's stuff at. while a horse that I own, or a horse that i'm working with bites me and by utilising me I recommend me, my outfits, or the the air around me, I make a noisy "NO" and force it out of my area. I make it is ft pass, no count number if I rather have a lead rope on it, i'm out in the pasture, i'm it it is stall, or i'm on it is lower back. This re-enforces which you are the dominant "horse" because it the place in the relationship, and fixes the biting or kicking.

Answer 4

Reschooling is the only thing that will help - that and keeping anyone off of him that will allow him to do what ever he wants. Horses that stop to eat will always indicate what they are going to do, you have to be quick with your aids to keep them moving forward instead of loafing around. This means that you cannot relax on them - keep your hands firmly on the reins and your leg on them always, the moment they want to hesitate and stop, you drive them forward...you can never give up and allow him the bite of food or all your work is ruined. Eventually he will learn to respect you - but it takes time.

Answer 5

Try putting a caveson on him so that he cannot eat when you are riding. It may take a few times out before he realizes he cannot eat, but he should get the picture.

Check your curb strap or chain and make sure it is properly tightened. When he tries to stop and eat, pull back on the reins and spur him forward.

You are going to have to discipline him since he's not used to doing what the rider asks him to do. You may need to wear spurs or carry a crop or quirt.

Answer 6

As Clinton Anderson does when one of his horses tries to eat grass on the trail he puts them to work....sidepasses, work on the diagonal, loping circles, trotting circles, turns on the forehand and haunch turns. Soon your horse may learn that every time he grabs for grass he has to work....and grass isn't nearly as appealing.

Also, repeated whacks with a crop only contribute to bad attitudes. It's a tough habit to break but it can be done......the four letter word corrects a lot of undesireable behavior.....
W>O>R>K> or as a trainer friend of mine said, "Put the hamster on the wheel"....give him something to do.

Answer 7

That sounds exactly like the pony I'm training, Argo. Argo would do exactly that.

Here is my thread: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Arns7aIpadQMoTFsnmIXZmzsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071026104019AAOtVR7

I decided not to use an overcheck, he seems to be responding to plain old training. :D

Also, using a crop will not make him any sourer than you fighting him otherwise. Crops are nice things, if used properly What would you rather have, a big kick in the ribs or a tiny swat on your shoulder? :D

Answer 8

try carrying a crop, and each time he stops tell him ONCE to get moving, and if he doesn't give him a hard wack, and keep wacking him until he goes. If that doesn't work, wear spurs, and if he doesn't go, again ask him once, but if not give him a little kick with your heels and he'll go.

It's something you'll have to work on constantly to change him. My mare was like that also, but with constant correction, and constant praise when she was doing good, she fixed her attitude and goes great!

Remember that each time the horse stops and you get him to go again, give him lots of praise; rub his neck, tell him he's a good boy, and so on. They know when you are happy and pleased with them.

Answer 9

you have to establish you are in control but you must also gain respect from him. You can't let him do what he wants or he will learn he can be bossy with you too. Take him in a circle then push him on whenever he trys to take a bit of grass,so he figures he has to work everytime he trys to eat grass.Taking lessons and advice from a local riding instructer will also help out a lot.

Answer 10

At the store where I work we sell a gizmo that attaches to the saddle horn from the bit. You adjust it so they can't get their heads all the way to the ground without you pulling on their reins. I am not sure what it is called, I know it is not an over check.