I need some help!

[chrissybabii]

When my gelding gets tired of riding he doesn't really listen to me!I get angry ! When i'm riding toward the end of the field he starts to gallop and i'm a beginner so I don't no what to do if he doesn't listen.Sometimes he starts to go to the left even if I make him go straight for no reason at all.I pull him the oppisite way but he starts to do it again.What should I do??

[horse_child]

Maybe ride him in the arena for awhile, see if that calms him down a bit. How old is he? Breed? training level? What he's doing to you is dangerous and being a beginner you don't know how to handle it. If you are stable in your seat, if he does that again I would spin him in circles until he stops, if he does it again, repeat. this could take you hours to do, and if you're not comfortable doing this, or don't think you can, let someone else. Horses can tell if you don't know what you're doing. that's why your horse is doing this to you. I would suggest letting an expirienced friend get on him and try it for themselves, hopefullly they can physically help you. good luck!

[chrissybabii]

I do ride him in a round pen..but it only happens when he gets tired!He's about 12 yrs. old...i do spin him in circles and it does work but only for a little bit.I continue but he doesn't really listen..only sometimes !! I do feel comfortable doing it because he is a good horse until he gets tired.Sometimes he throws his head but we put a tie down on him nd he still tries to do it.My trainer tells him to stop and he listens...When he starts to get really tired i get off him because i just can't handle him any more.My trainer has been riding for a long long time!She always tries him out b4 i get on.She always tells me where to keep my feet and my hands..She helps a lot!!She says he only does this because he is tired which i think is very possible.Well i'll let you no how he does next time i ride him!Thanks for your advice!

[horse_child]

Maybe you could wear spurs with him and end the lesson before he gets tired? Good luck?

[chrissybabii]

What are spurs??Thanks!!

[Berriano]

on avg, how long do you ride him for?

[Shineillusion]

If you don't know what spurs are, do not use them. They'll cause you more trouble than you already have.

If he's being a bugger head because he's "tired" and you get off because you can't handle him anymore, you've just taught him to be a bugger head. So if you find you must get off, don't make life easy for him. He's not tired, he's bored. Tired horses don't gallop off without being asked, and they don't throw hissy fits. Do ground work until he knows what the meaning of the word tired really is. Then get back on and ride him some more.

If you think he really is tired after all that, just walking is fine. But if you let him throw a hissy fit and get away with it, all you're doing is teaching him that throwing a hissy fit means you get to quit.

[horse_child]

Yeah, don't use spurs if you don't know what they are, try doing what Shine and I suggested and see what happens, pay particular attention to his energy level, every time he takes off he gets another half hour or so of work. A wet saddle pad never hurt a horse, just make sure to cool him out good if he gets really sweaty, which probally would'nt hurt the next few rides. Age and breed would be helpful to know though...

[chrissybabii]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm sure it will all help!!He's like 11 or 12....I know he's a quarter horse but he's also something else and i'm not sure. He's doing a lot better!! ......so I think i'm going to start a new topic!!!Thanks for everything!YAY!