My 5 yr old gelding ALWAYS acts up when I ride him with other horses in the arena, he is always distracted, no matter what I do. What should I do?
HELP! I CAN'T RIDE MY HORSE WITH OTHER HORSES!
- Thread starter EquestrianLion
- Start date
They don't automatically know how to focus when ridden with other horses, it's a skill young horses have to learn. Is there someone who would stand or quietly walk their horse around the arena while you quietly walk around for a few minutes? That's your starting point - short, simple, get it right then praise and leave. Only when he can get that right every time do you do more. Alternatively arrange for some lessons with a good instructor having explained the problem and arranging for some company.
Realistically I would question how much of his attention you have without company, I would suspect not as much as you think but it isn't as noticeable when you have the arena to yourself.
Realistically I would question how much of his attention you have without company, I would suspect not as much as you think but it isn't as noticeable when you have the arena to yourself.
As @carthorse says, it’s not something they know to do automatically so you have to teach them how to behave, as you don’t know what to do you need to get a professional trainer to help you.
Get some lessons.
You are on a young horse that needs you to educate him, teach him.
You are saying other horses, so I would start by introducing him to one and having it in your mind what you are in the arena for.
Thanks so much! I already take lessons 2x week on him, and he is super focused when he is by himself, but I will try the walker.
If you already have lessons then this is something to discuss with your teacher and work on in them.
HELP! MY HORSE ALWAYS ACTS UP WITH OTHER HORSES!
My 5 yr old gelding ALWAYS acts up when I ride him with other horses in the arena, he is always distracted, no matter what I do. What should I do? I ride him 3x a week and we do 1st level dressage and 18'' jumps, I have tried practicing turns on the forehand and on the haunches, squiggles...
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Slightly more info.
Sounds like you need another horse in your lessons so that your trainer can help you work through the issues.
I find this with quite a lot of young horses but they usually grow out of it. So don’t worry, it won’t be like that always!
I personally find that doing in hand work in the arena with other horses first is easier as once they get used to the other horse they will calm down. Even if you just take your horse into the arena for a brush while someone rides. Just makes them realise there is nothing to worry about. I think it is because when they see other horses running their natural instinct is that they need to run too due to predators?
Hope this helps.
I personally find that doing in hand work in the arena with other horses first is easier as once they get used to the other horse they will calm down. Even if you just take your horse into the arena for a brush while someone rides. Just makes them realise there is nothing to worry about. I think it is because when they see other horses running their natural instinct is that they need to run too due to predators?
Hope this helps.
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