| A common scenario in horse ownership goes | | | | about freely and use up some of his pent-up energy. |
| something like this: "We were shopping for a horse for | | | | Longeing your horse for fifteen or twenty minutes |
| our teenage daughter and found the perfect gelding. A | | | | before riding is also a great habit. It not only prepares |
| seasoned show horse with a willing attitude...his owner | | | | your horse's body by warming him up and taking off |
| assured us he would fulfill all of our expectations. Two | | | | the edge of his energy, but it also prepares his mind to |
| months after bringing him home, he became | | | | pay attention to you and obey your commands before |
| headstrong, barn sour, started balking, and eventually | | | | you ever step foot in the stirrup. Giving the horse |
| rearing. Our daughter no longer enjoyed riding, and | | | | plenty of exercise will diminish his inclination to go too |
| stopped going to the barn altogether. Now we're stuck | | | | fast with a rider or to spook at objects that are |
| paying board for a horse nobody wants to ride. What | | | | actually not scary. |
| went wrong?" | | | | Finally, and most importantly, evaluate the rider's habits. |
| While every case is different, this story is all too | | | | Some horses are called "babysitters" because they |
| familiar. Horses that seemed perfect with one rider | | | | can be ridden on auto-pilot so to speak. But for a |
| become sour and balky with a different rider. Many | | | | horse that is headstrong, the rider must take control. |
| times, it is a combination of things that contribute and | | | | Horses are very good at reading people, and judging |
| work together to produce a hard to manage horse. | | | | the rider's experience, and some very well trained |
| The rider's inexperience coupled with the horse's | | | | horses will test an inexperienced rider by balking, eating |
| confusion or overabundance of energy can develop | | | | grass while riding, turning back towards the barn, |
| into a very dangerous imbalance and the horse or rider | | | | lagging behind, or other unwanted behaviours. |
| could be injured. While your first impulse might be to sell | | | | The key to overcoming this is to keep the horse |
| the horse to the first buyer that comes along, there | | | | attentive by riding actively, not passively. For example, |
| may be some adjustments you could make to regain | | | | have a set plan for your riding and expect him to obey |
| the dependable horse you thought you had when you | | | | it. Even if you're in an arena, pick out certain areas that |
| purchased him. | | | | you want him to turn at, or stop at and back up, or |
| One of the initial things to look at is the type of feed | | | | complete figure eights, circles, serpentines, trot over |
| and excercise the horse is used to, and what changes | | | | poles, around barrels, and so forth. Even on a trail ride, |
| have been made. A horse that is over-fed with | | | | don't let him meander around and make all of the |
| high-energy grain and not ridden sufficiently to use that | | | | decisions. You decide where he walks, which side of |
| energy can develop some bad behaviors rather | | | | the tree he passes by, and how fast or slow he |
| quickly. If your horse maintains weight well and is | | | | travels. If you are a take-charge rider, your horse will |
| healthy, it is likely he doesn't need any grain, as long as | | | | form a habit of letting you lead. Many new riders |
| he is fed good-quality hay and minerals. Many new | | | | expect their horse to make all of the decisions and |
| owners feel an urge to pamper their horse and make | | | | then are surprised when things go wrong for them. |
| sure he has the best of everything. But just like feeding | | | | It has been said, "There are no problem horses, only |
| children too much candy, feeding too much grain can | | | | problem riders." If your new horse has developed |
| cause trouble with your horse. Free-choice hay or | | | | some imperfections, it might help to have a talk with |
| adequate fresh grass to graze should make up the | | | | the previous owner and ask them to give you a few |
| majority of your horse's diet. Feeding a cup or two of | | | | lessons with your new horse, or find a trainer that is |
| grain to your horse after riding is fine, but do not | | | | willing to work with you and your horse. You will gain |
| over-grain a horse that is misbehaving. | | | | some important riding tips and your horse will behave |
| You should also consider the excercise your horse | | | | better as you learn to communicate with the correct |
| needs. If he is kept in a stall most of the time, he may | | | | cues. With some adjustments, you will regain the solid, |
| need daily turnout in a pasture where he can move | | | | dependable horse you first purchased. |