barn sour/buddy sour

gingersnaps2002 · 11-01-2003, 12:49 PM

My 8 year old mare throws a fit every time we start to leave the other horses. Her previous owners had the same problem but they easily got her away. She tosses her head when I try to get her to go in the other direction or she backs up.If I kick her or cluck to her to get her to move forward she backs up more.She is a tall horse and more energetic than what I am used to,so I will admit that I am a little timid with her when she acts up.But whipping and spurring doesnt work and once I did hit her on the neck and now she is afraid of me when I get off. She thinks I am going to hit her,but Im not going to. I know I have to gain her trust back and get her used to being away from the other horses.

AmberLover · 11-01-2003, 04:41 PM

hello, I have the same exact problem with my 4 yr. old Filly! I dont get it! wish some1 would help!

Dana

RubySlipper · 11-01-2003, 08:33 PM

First I just want to say you never hit them with your crop anywhere but behind your lef except if the horse is rearing and than you use it over their head.
Second not going foward and backing up is what often leads to a horse rearing, you need to break this habit immediatly before it becomes dangerous.
Third horses are heard animals, going away from other horses, leaving the heard goes against their nature.

What are you trying to do with your horse?

Some horses can never be trail ridden by them selves.

What kind of horse is she?

cowgirl911 · 11-02-2003, 12:16 PM

I have a couple of suggestions...Firstly (I know that's not propper enlish), Don't get off her while she's facing the barn. Always turn her away to dismount. Also, try not to run toward the barn, that makes them eager as well. How long has this been going on? Because, eventually she'll get that your always coming back. Maybe try riding with someone? That may ease her a bit.

gingersnaps2002 · 11-02-2003, 02:01 PM

Ok,I have rode her with other horses,but if i leave my other horse at the corral while i ride,she still doesnt want to leave.If she ever gets away from the starting point,shes ok. So,what do i do when she backs up? When i know shes about to back up,i back her up for a moment.I think if she gets tired of backing,she wont want to anymore lol.I never hurry back to the barn,I usually just walk.When she tosses her head what should i do?I know i need to make her understand that I am in control,not just the passenger but i get intimidated or i get frustrated at her and myself.I have been doing a lot of groundwork with her to help her get to trust me a little better.Any suggestions are greatly taken!!lol

Dawn · 11-02-2003, 03:48 PM

Never use a crop in front of your leg unless it's a dressage whip and you're asking for a shoulder movement. And please don't hit her over the head if she rears. As far as backing. Make her back. Don't just make her back for a minute, make her back for 10 minutes. She will get very sick of it. When you get back to the barn, do you get off? Don't, make her work extra hard when you get back. She won't be quite so eager anymore. Also dont' give treats or feed as soon as you get back.

Blistering Winds · 11-02-2003, 04:03 PM

I wouldn't hit a horse over the head while rearing. You can cause more damage and they'll flip on you after that. With rearing, I always turn their head really hard, causing them to loose balance and brings them down. Every time you feel them going up, yank them over. They stop after a few times. But make sure you have a good seat cause you'll come down hard the first few times.

Barn sour and buddy sour is hard to fix. Patience and time is what it will take. Take him/her out for short distances. Go to an area that you can take a nice long break. Let her graze and such. Then tack up and ride back slowely. When you get back. WORK HER. That way she doesn't think she's going back to her stall immedietly. This can help solve both problems at the same time. She needs good experiences when you go out.

As for GETTING her away from the barn. Be Persistant. SPIN HER when she starts backing. Back her more. Face her toward the barn and back her away from it.

Try stabling your horses apart for a while if it is a "specific horse" issue.

Also, on some days when you have the time. Just take her in her halter and walk a good distance away from the barn and let her graze. This gives her a good sense of "it's ok". I had to do this with one of mine. She'd follow me anywhere, but was very nervous with me on her. Almost like she didn't have the confidence to do it. I was with her, but I wasn't leading her.

It will be a while before you start seeing some constant results, but when you do....you'll be THRILLED!!!

Make sure you talk to her calmly. Don't sound angry. Keeping her calm as much as possible helps her transition to going by herself.

Good Luck!!

gingersnaps2002 · 11-03-2003, 01:43 PM

OK,thanks!! I will be sure to try all those things.When I get done riding I usually untack and brush them down and leave them in the corral or turn them out in pasture.Sometimes after riding I will ride them more in the corral just goofing off with them.My older mare used to have that problem,but I fixed her by showing her that I was just as stubborn as she was lol! But all she did was spin back toward the barn,she didnt back or toss her head and she was much more laid back.
I have been keeping my mare in a seperate corral and working with her on groundwork.By working with her more I have discovered that she is pretty sensitive.If I try to get her to do something and she does not know what I want,she gets aggravated so I take new things slow with her and if she doesnt get it,I try doing it differently to help her understand.Giving her treats for doing things right helps her know she did it right and it encourages her to do it right again.I am going to ride her again tomorrow and I will let you know how she did.

QHGirl · 11-04-2003, 08:25 AM

I know what RubySlipper is talking about. It is said that if your horse rears tap them with the crop so it seems as they "hit their head". If a horse associates that they hit their head when they rear up, they won't do it again.

Keep in mind that TAP means NOT full blown swinging, but a swat might be in order if needed, never on the side of the face, more towards the bridle path or top of the head. Not the ears, in between them, making sure you don't hit their eyes... It is not something and inexperienced rider should try or one that is unsteady. It will cause a reaction from your horse so be cautious. I have tried this with one of my horses... it worked, but you have to know what you are doing when you do this. Right when they come up, that is when it needs to be done, so it is in movement with them... if they are up and coming down, they don't get that assocation. It took 2 times, and my horse never reared again... BUT this of course is a certain situation that might not want to be used. I am not saying it is the right way, just one way that did work for me.

Hope that helps clear up the hitting on the head part of this...

11-01-2003, 12:49 PM	#1
gingersnaps2002 Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: arkansas Posts: 1,350	barn sour/buddy sour My 8 year old mare throws a fit every time we start to leave the other horses. Her previous owners had the same problem but they easily got her away. She tosses her head when I try to get her to go in the other direction or she backs up.If I kick her or cluck to her to get her to move forward she backs up more.She is a tall horse and more energetic than what I am used to,so I will admit that I am a little timid with her when she acts up.But whipping and spurring doesnt work and once I did hit her on the neck and now she is afraid of me when I get off. She thinks I am going to hit her,but Im not going to. I know I have to gain her trust back and get her used to being away from the other horses.

11-02-2003, 03:48 PM	#6
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	Never use a crop in front of your leg unless it's a dressage whip and you're asking for a shoulder movement. And please don't hit her over the head if she rears. As far as backing. Make her back. Don't just make her back for a minute, make her back for 10 minutes. She will get very sick of it. When you get back to the barn, do you get off? Don't, make her work extra hard when you get back. She won't be quite so eager anymore. Also dont' give treats or feed as soon as you get back. __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

11-02-2003, 04:03 PM	#7
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 32,425 Images: 864 Blog Entries: 18	I wouldn't hit a horse over the head while rearing. You can cause more damage and they'll flip on you after that. With rearing, I always turn their head really hard, causing them to loose balance and brings them down. Every time you feel them going up, yank them over. They stop after a few times. But make sure you have a good seat cause you'll come down hard the first few times. Barn sour and buddy sour is hard to fix. Patience and time is what it will take. Take him/her out for short distances. Go to an area that you can take a nice long break. Let her graze and such. Then tack up and ride back slowely. When you get back. WORK HER. That way she doesn't think she's going back to her stall immedietly. This can help solve both problems at the same time. She needs good experiences when you go out. As for GETTING her away from the barn. Be Persistant. SPIN HER when she starts backing. Back her more. Face her toward the barn and back her away from it. Try stabling your horses apart for a while if it is a "specific horse" issue. Also, on some days when you have the time. Just take her in her halter and walk a good distance away from the barn and let her graze. This gives her a good sense of "it's ok". I had to do this with one of mine. She'd follow me anywhere, but was very nervous with me on her. Almost like she didn't have the confidence to do it. I was with her, but I wasn't leading her. It will be a while before you start seeing some constant results, but when you do....you'll be THRILLED!!! Make sure you talk to her calmly. Don't sound angry. Keeping her calm as much as possible helps her transition to going by herself. Good Luck!! __________________ Can I have a midlife crisis now?

11-04-2003, 08:25 AM	#9
QHGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 7,704 Images: 368	I know what RubySlipper is talking about. It is said that if your horse rears tap them with the crop so it seems as they "hit their head". If a horse associates that they hit their head when they rear up, they won't do it again. Keep in mind that TAP means NOT full blown swinging, but a swat might be in order if needed, never on the side of the face, more towards the bridle path or top of the head. Not the ears, in between them, making sure you don't hit their eyes... It is not something and inexperienced rider should try or one that is unsteady. It will cause a reaction from your horse so be cautious. I have tried this with one of my horses... it worked, but you have to know what you are doing when you do this. Right when they come up, that is when it needs to be done, so it is in movement with them... if they are up and coming down, they don't get that assocation. It took 2 times, and my horse never reared again... BUT this of course is a certain situation that might not want to be used. I am not saying it is the right way, just one way that did work for me. Hope that helps clear up the hitting on the head part of this... __________________ I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well-behaved school horses who raised no problems. -Alois Podhaisky Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Start: 0 lbs LOST / Goal: 10 lbs LOST / CURRENT: 0 lbs LOST

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11-01-2003, 04:41 PM	#2
AmberLover Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 20	hello, I have the same exact problem with my 4 yr. old Filly! I dont get it! wish some1 would help! Dana

11-01-2003, 08:33 PM	#3
RubySlipper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 566	First I just want to say you never hit them with your crop anywhere but behind your lef except if the horse is rearing and than you use it over their head. Second not going foward and backing up is what often leads to a horse rearing, you need to break this habit immediatly before it becomes dangerous. Third horses are heard animals, going away from other horses, leaving the heard goes against their nature. What are you trying to do with your horse? Some horses can never be trail ridden by them selves. What kind of horse is she?

11-02-2003, 12:16 PM	#4
cowgirl911 Full Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NC Posts: 50	I have a couple of suggestions...Firstly (I know that's not propper enlish), Don't get off her while she's facing the barn. Always turn her away to dismount. Also, try not to run toward the barn, that makes them eager as well. How long has this been going on? Because, eventually she'll get that your always coming back. Maybe try riding with someone? That may ease her a bit.

11-02-2003, 02:01 PM	#5
gingersnaps2002 Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: arkansas Posts: 1,350	Ok,I have rode her with other horses,but if i leave my other horse at the corral while i ride,she still doesnt want to leave.If she ever gets away from the starting point,shes ok. So,what do i do when she backs up? When i know shes about to back up,i back her up for a moment.I think if she gets tired of backing,she wont want to anymore lol.I never hurry back to the barn,I usually just walk.When she tosses her head what should i do?I know i need to make her understand that I am in control,not just the passenger but i get intimidated or i get frustrated at her and myself.I have been doing a lot of groundwork with her to help her get to trust me a little better.Any suggestions are greatly taken!!lol

11-03-2003, 01:43 PM	#8
gingersnaps2002 Banned Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: arkansas Posts: 1,350	OK,thanks!! I will be sure to try all those things.When I get done riding I usually untack and brush them down and leave them in the corral or turn them out in pasture.Sometimes after riding I will ride them more in the corral just goofing off with them.My older mare used to have that problem,but I fixed her by showing her that I was just as stubborn as she was lol! But all she did was spin back toward the barn,she didnt back or toss her head and she was much more laid back. I have been keeping my mare in a seperate corral and working with her on groundwork.By working with her more I have discovered that she is pretty sensitive.If I try to get her to do something and she does not know what I want,she gets aggravated so I take new things slow with her and if she doesnt get it,I try doing it differently to help her understand.Giving her treats for doing things right helps her know she did it right and it encourages her to do it right again.I am going to ride her again tomorrow and I will let you know how she did.