Bucking when walking out of round pen

angels3 · 09-15-2008, 01:16 PM

So my new horse is in quartine and is in his stall most of the day. my problem is that when I turn him out in the round pen and go to take him in, he tends to run out and buck to try to get away from me. Is there anyway I can have this stop?

I use a chain lead which helps a bit but it really dosen't solve my problem. I also walk him by hand if he's calm enough for about 45 minutes. (can't ride cause missing shoe but hes getting it tommrow!!!!) It's starting to get dangerous cause he almost kicked me yesterday so any suggestions would really help.

StarfireArizona · 09-15-2008, 02:44 PM

My big gelding tried the same trick on a few occasions....and I put an end to that FAST !!

After working him, I would walk him calmly over to the gate of the round pen to go out...and about 10 feet from the gate I would have him "ho" after each and every step....until we got to the gate. Then I would only let him take one step at a time out of the gate with a loud "ho" inbetween each. If I saw ANY anxious body language, I would back him up about 10 steps & try it again. It really didn't take long before he started looking at me in anticipation even when I wasn't planning to make him ho inbetween...and I kinda enjoyed that

If you find your horse is not paying a lot of attention to your "Ho's"....then put a bit of a tug on the lead each time so it bumps his nose to get his attention. If you can't seem to get him to back up fast enough, use a dressage or longe whip in your other hand & MAKE him back up by swinging it side to side in front of his chest. The sooner he learns who is leading who the safer you both will be.

It really sounds like you have to work on some respect issues....but it all starts with respecting your space & not pushing through you or over you.

Good luck

Callie's Mom · 09-15-2008, 03:41 PM

carry a crop or dressage whip with you. stop him, back him ask him to stay out of your space... if he does not respect your commands to stay behind give him a pop for not respecting your space - that is what horses do to each other - but with their teeth or hooves.

luttrellfarms · 09-15-2008, 06:24 PM

You may want to work him in the round pen.......run him in circles and make him turn when you want him to. Once he has relaxed some, try stopping him and walking up to him. Continue working him until he is watching you and wants to come to you. He will learn that being with you is a lot less work than trying to get away from you. (Also might want to reduce his protein intake)

puzzles mom · 09-15-2008, 06:30 PM

I would agree with Starfires plan, he needs to realize that barging through the gate and trying to take off are NOT acceptable, I might even take him in and out of the gate multiple times til I was sure that he was going through slowly and calmly and listening to me. Good luck and stay safe.

Pally · 09-15-2008, 06:32 PM

It does sound like he is not really tuned in and respecting you, to be fair to him, he's in a new place and stuck in a stall all day long, so I'm sure he really wants to move around.

Do what the others say about heading slowly for the gate and backing up if he tries to charge ahead of you.

I probably wouldn't let him free right after you get in the gate, as that will increase the anticipation. Even if he's not that calm, even one lap around on the lead will probably be helpful.

Then when you are ready to make him free, stand at the gate so you can exit easily, and make sure he is turned facing you. Yes there is still a chance he can spin around and kick out, but it's much more dangerous to make a horse free as he is running away from you. Also, if he knows how to drop his head with pressure from your hand on the poll, or pulling down with the halter (a great skill for the horse to know and I make it habit to have all my horses do it when I take their halters off), I find this to help buy an extra second of calmness before they bolt off.

StarfireArizona · 09-16-2008, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puzzles mom

I might even take him in and out of the gate multiple times til I was sure that he was going through slowly and calmly and listening to me

Definitely agreed.....lotsa practice

In fact, there are times when he is let out of his stall or the round pen & he bolts out....no reason why, except letting me know he needs an attitude adjustment. I grab the rope halter/lead, and immediately proceed in making him back up at a fast pace fifty steps or so toward the stall or round pen. Once there, I make him BACK in, keep backing in a few more steps, and then we lead quietly out. I do this several times, and then I lead him in forward & lead him back out again a couple times.......making him "ho" after each step out. This works for quite a while.....but every once in a while he needs that little reminder that type of action is SO not acceptable

09-15-2008, 01:16 PM	#1
angels3 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 81	Bucking when walking out of round pen So my new horse is in quartine and is in his stall most of the day. my problem is that when I turn him out in the round pen and go to take him in, he tends to run out and buck to try to get away from me. Is there anyway I can have this stop? I use a chain lead which helps a bit but it really dosen't solve my problem. I also walk him by hand if he's calm enough for about 45 minutes. (can't ride cause missing shoe but hes getting it tommrow!!!!) It's starting to get dangerous cause he almost kicked me yesterday so any suggestions would really help.

09-15-2008, 02:44 PM	#2
StarfireArizona Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona Desert Posts: 1,179 Images: 74	My big gelding tried the same trick on a few occasions....and I put an end to that FAST !! After working him, I would walk him calmly over to the gate of the round pen to go out...and about 10 feet from the gate I would have him "ho" after each and every step....until we got to the gate. Then I would only let him take one step at a time out of the gate with a loud "ho" inbetween each. If I saw ANY anxious body language, I would back him up about 10 steps & try it again. It really didn't take long before he started looking at me in anticipation even when I wasn't planning to make him ho inbetween...and I kinda enjoyed that If you find your horse is not paying a lot of attention to your "Ho's"....then put a bit of a tug on the lead each time so it bumps his nose to get his attention. If you can't seem to get him to back up fast enough, use a dressage or longe whip in your other hand & MAKE him back up by swinging it side to side in front of his chest. The sooner he learns who is leading who the safer you both will be. It really sounds like you have to work on some respect issues....but it all starts with respecting your space & not pushing through you or over you. Good luck __________________ Horses of a different color - Shiloh, Desert Ghost, Valentino & Rusty

09-15-2008, 03:41 PM	#3
Callie's Mom Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Loomis, ca Posts: 2,177 Images: 422	carry a crop or dressage whip with you. stop him, back him ask him to stay out of your space... if he does not respect your commands to stay behind give him a pop for not respecting your space - that is what horses do to each other - but with their teeth or hooves. __________________ Kristin, Blessed owner of: Izzy, Isis, and Chance!

09-15-2008, 06:24 PM	#4
luttrellfarms Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 469	You may want to work him in the round pen.......run him in circles and make him turn when you want him to. Once he has relaxed some, try stopping him and walking up to him. Continue working him until he is watching you and wants to come to you. He will learn that being with you is a lot less work than trying to get away from you. (Also might want to reduce his protein intake) __________________ Tony R. Luttrell www.angelfire.com/trek/landrfarms

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09-15-2008, 06:30 PM	#5
puzzles mom Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 464	I would agree with Starfires plan, he needs to realize that barging through the gate and trying to take off are NOT acceptable, I might even take him in and out of the gate multiple times til I was sure that he was going through slowly and calmly and listening to me. Good luck and stay safe.

09-15-2008, 06:32 PM	#6
Pally Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,267 Images: 12	It does sound like he is not really tuned in and respecting you, to be fair to him, he's in a new place and stuck in a stall all day long, so I'm sure he really wants to move around. Do what the others say about heading slowly for the gate and backing up if he tries to charge ahead of you. I probably wouldn't let him free right after you get in the gate, as that will increase the anticipation. Even if he's not that calm, even one lap around on the lead will probably be helpful. Then when you are ready to make him free, stand at the gate so you can exit easily, and make sure he is turned facing you. Yes there is still a chance he can spin around and kick out, but it's much more dangerous to make a horse free as he is running away from you. Also, if he knows how to drop his head with pressure from your hand on the poll, or pulling down with the halter (a great skill for the horse to know and I make it habit to have all my horses do it when I take their halters off), I find this to help buy an extra second of calmness before they bolt off.