[belle4]

I would send the horse forward until he faces you. You can use your arm or hold a whip as an extension of your arm. The whip will give you the reach so you can stand in the door way and have the horse do the work. I never walk into a stall to fetch a horse. They are cued to come to me.

[jburns]

Originally Posted by belle4

I would send the horse forward until he faces you. You can use your arm or hold a whip as an extension of your arm. The whip will give you the reach so you can stand in the door way and have the horse do the work. I never walk into a stall to fetch a horse. They are cued to come to me.

He comes right up to me usually when I open his stall door, but as soon as I lift the halter, he turns around with his butt facing me and just looks at me

[belle4]

Then you need to send him forward again...

[Solace]

Originally Posted by EVOO

I may be a little harsher than others but I'd take a long training stick and correct him verbally the first time ("ANNNH!" or "NO!") when he turns around - if he doesn't come back around to face you I'd pop him with the stick - probably on whichever side of him I want to swing around to bring him facing me. He's blatantly disrespecting you and if it's not corrected now it will only progress to more severe ways in which to do it.

I'd also suggest teaching him a place to stand in his stall when you come in. For my mare I like her to stand along the back wall. I rarely even have to signal for her to stand there anymore, she just knows when I'm in the stall unless I asked her to stand someplace else that's where she belongs.

This is great advice.

[On_the_Aids]

First, know that it is OK that your horse has started to associate you with work. lol. Now you have to let him know two things though.
#1 I am not going to work you everytime I come in your stall
#2 I am not going to move away from you when you turn your butt to me
You could also change what time of day you ride, or what you are doing while you are riding if it seems to be the same thing day after day.

So, visit him in his stall when your not going to ride him. Maybe even take him out for a short walk and then put him back in. Let him know that you not only represent work, but recreation.

It is SO important that you play the "I chase you around the stall game" until he gives up. Especially seeing that he does not kick. Just play it differently. As he spins around his stall make sure your stay at his shoulder and do not chase his head, quicken your steps, or do anything to startle him. play with the idea that you are turning him away from you on purpose. If that does not get his attention then just stay at his shoulder, don't get scraped off on a wall and WAIT for him to stop. Eventually he will give up spinning around in the stall to avoid you. He sounds like such a nice guy it won't take long at all.

Most importantly, make sure your horse is well versed on ground communication. That he can walk, back, and turn away on in response to your body pressures.

Elise Weber

[hueysgirl]

Sorry if this has already been said, but clinton anderson always says to tie your horse for about 15minutes before you start work, and 15 minutes after you're done. that way they don't think that they work, then go to something rewarding (the stall), and learn that the stall is better than working.

Idk if it makes sense to you, but I like it. they seem to be less sour to be caught if they don't go immediantly from work to their resting place.

[jburns]

Thanks guys! I will take all the advice I can get....something has to work. He is a REALLY good guy generally, he has his days but dont we all