posted 01-17-2004 12:02 PM           

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I bought my beautiful andalusian mare about half a year ago. Everything was fine and she is great to ride no problems there. But just recently when i take her out to pasture she runs in front of me out of the stable i have no control over her. What is more odd is that now she doesnt want her bridle on and will buck her head about. These are bad habits she must progress out of if anyone has any advice to deal with this problem i would most grateful

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From:Columbia, SC, USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-18-2004 09:47 AM         

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I'm not really sure what you mean when you say she runs in front of you when you take her out to pasture. Do you have a halter on her? If you do then I would walk her and when she starts going to fast, stop her for a few seconds, and then start walking her again.

As for her not wanting to take her bridle, there may be a problem with her teeth. When was the last time she had her teeth floated? Or she may just be acting stubborn. My horse does that sometimes. I just keep trying till I get the bit in his mouth. Don't ever let her get away with it. But I would get her teeth checked, just to rule that out.

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posted 01-20-2004 02:29 PM           

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Thanks for the reply, yes i have her halter on. But i guess the situation of the stable isnt very good that i have her in, with friends at the moment. Yeah i will get a vet to her but in this country its not really a thing to get the vet on a horse, i live in Spain btw. Anyways thanks!

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From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-21-2004 04:57 AM         

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Sonds to me like you really need to work on your ground manners. She may be afraid of the sudden opening in the barn. You need to walk her from stall to barn door and back to stall, from barn door to pasture and back several times. Any time she acts up, stop, make her take a small circle around you. Each timeshe acts up, make a small circle.
Eventually she will learn that going forward in a nice manner is the thing to do.

Horses hate being distracted from their goals and destinations...these circles are repremending her.

Definately have her teeth checked. Does she still have her wolf teeth??? When was the last time she had them floated?

[This message has been edited by Samsintentions (edited 01-21-2004).]

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From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-31-2004 03:40 PM         

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Sams don't take this wrong(and hello btw), I mean to disagree respectfully. I don't agree with the small circles, here's why:

If she makes her turn in circles everytime she misbehaves she will soon have a horse that cirlces everytime something upsets her or she anticipates she has done something wrong. I watched a 4-H'er struggle with her new horse for a whole season..the horse had obviously been circled everytime it got antsy by the previous owner, so when standing in line in showmanship classes the horse would circle over and over again. The same is true of a horse that is hauled backwards everytime it acts up, they will learn to anticipate that and everytime they are spooked or do something they think they may be corrected for they will haul a** backwards.
I would suggest she have a trainer or experienced horse person come out and watch as she takes the horse out to pasture, she may be doing or not doing something that is allowing or causing the horse to act up.
Ground manners are the foundation in your horses training and in yours. I would commit to working on those until she will lead politely.
On the bridling issue, definately have her teeth checked, you can even research this yourself on-line so you at leaste know what to look for in seeing if she has some dental work needing to be done. When you put her bridle on and take it off do it very slowly and gently, do not allow the bit to bang on her teeth or bars, lower it slowly out of her mouth. I didn't note if you said you were new to horses or not, and I don't mean anything by this, but in the time I have spent up at my trainers place mentoring with him I have noticed that one of the quickest ways to make a horse shy away from a bridle is to let a beginner put on and remove the bridle. Horse have tender mouths and steady soft hands are important.

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From:Portland, Oregon US
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posted 01-31-2004 03:41 PM         

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PS.Lucky you having a beautiful Andalusian!

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