Gaming horses=psycho?

SpiritSaddle · 05-13-2005, 11:54 PM

Hmm....i always hear of gaming horses that turn out psycho and overly hyper and unable to be controlled. I know right before they enter the arena they spaz out, but otherwise, at home, are they ridable and stuff? i know if game with my horse too much that's all she once to do. But at home she's fine unless i start to run her too much. Then she's all trotty.
ARE they ridable at home and stuff without any problem..? because if not, i don't want to get into serious gaming. If so, then okay!

I just really would like to know...

thoroughbred_01 · 05-14-2005, 01:06 AM

i really dont know lol

sian · 05-14-2005, 03:09 AM

they do need to be a little bit phyco to be game ponys lol otherwise they wouldnt be able to do it succsessfully! the game ponies i know are completely rideable at home. my friend as a 13hh games pony and before a comp jhe would be mental! yet at home her lil 5yo sis rides this pony of the lead! it does depend on the horse though ( i predume your tlkin bout mounted games right?)

John · 05-14-2005, 06:07 AM

I think it is more of a case where young riders are biting off more than they can handle with horses that are not trained well enough to stay under control by themselves.

Blistering Winds · 05-14-2005, 06:55 AM

Gaming horses do NOT have to be psycho in ANY WAY to be good.

The BEST horses will walk INTO The arena and walk OUT of the arena at the owner's request. THey know when to turn up the heat and when to turn it off.

My gaming horse found nitro this year, so I hope to be doing much better in the arena, but I can toss my 5 and 3 yr old up on him and he will LAZILY WALK the pattern like any old nag would.

Psycho horses are created by bad riders who do not understand the concept of teaching the horse OTHER THINGS other than RUN RUN RUN.

I've been to the rodeos and seen some of the top horses run. They are quiet until time to go. They are quiet as soon as things are done. These horses are the ones worth tens of thousands of dollars because they are winning the big money!! Rare do you find a "psycho" horse at those events doing successfully. Because gaming isn't about the run. Run is SECONDARY. What is primary is CONTROL. WIthout control, you will not be successful in gaming.

Basically, from discussions here and abroad, when you are at home, DO NOT GAME. Trail ride, work the muscles for the event, but don't set up once your horse is trained to do the games you want. Go to other arenas and practice Western Pleasure, etc. Just because you LEAVE teh property doesn't mean you will run. And your horse has to understand that. My poor horse has been exposed to A LOT of things, but if you set up the barrels, warm him up for barrels, he's READY for barrels. BUt I can walk him in quietly and walk him out quietly. I'm not in danger nor is anyone around me in danger.

There are some areas of the country and in some clubs that if you cannot walk your horse or the child walk the horse into the arena, they DQ you right then and there. Which, in my opinion, is EXCELLENT. Especially for the child. I see too many STUPID parents putting their children on horses that THEY Can't even control, yet have the NERVE to punish the child AND Horse for not running a good pattern and keeping control. (hello, I Wouldn't be able to control some of these monstrosoties they are expecting their 5-9 yr old children to control)

Anyways, NO, your horse doesn't have to be or remain psycho in any way to be a great gaming horse.

SunBun · 05-14-2005, 07:12 AM

No, actually, a GOOD gaming horse is not hot all the time. They should know when to run, and when to ride around lazily with a halter and lead and a 6 year old on their back.

Sunny does get 'hot' at the gate (I don't really want to call it that, but I can't think of another word lol), but she is in NO WAY uncontrollable. I have complete control of her at all times. I don't mosey into the ring and say ho hum ok let's run some barrels. I mosey into the CHUTE, then do my little magic trick, get her kinda hyped, but she is IN MY CONTROL at all times. Shes by no means psycho. Anyone could get on her and walk her into the chute, give her a specific cue to 'get ready,' and she will. But she is by no means out of control.

AutumnAttic · 05-14-2005, 07:51 AM

I think as long as you dont do the games often at home, theyll be able to tell the difference between the gaming atmosphere and being quiet at home. I agree with blistering winds though

PaintedPNH · 05-14-2005, 09:39 AM

giddyupgal73 · 05-16-2005, 04:52 PM

One thing you could do, I like my horses to just about anything. The first thing they learn is to be a good trail riding horse/ or working cattle. We'll do some halter and western pleasure and if I could ride english they would do that too. I would teach them to be a gaming horse last. I also found that if you use a different bit for each event they would associate that bit with whatever is going to be expected. Snaffle bit was always for training/teaching something new. Hackamore-trail riding. Western curb bit-western pleasure. Again If I could ride english I would use proper bit for that event. Games I used a snaffle, but It was a different snaffle from the training snaffle. Of course since they are LEARNING to game when I start them. I want to be able to have 2 hands on the reins to work them through the patterns. I never practiced games at home, only transitions.............Always keep your horse guessing. If I did paractice at home it was at a trot or a LOPE. And at the gaming event, after my ride, I would always dismount and loosen my girth before leaving the arena. This keeps them from running to the gate. Loosening the girth allows their rib cage to expand without being confined so they can catch their breath and thus keeping them from resenting entering the arena. And always make sure thay are warmed up before making a run, and cool them off before parking and hanging out with your buds. Gaming is really fun especially with a great equine partner. Proper training and handling will keep your horse an all arounder.

Paints4me · 05-17-2005, 06:48 AM

My mare is pretty high strung normally. I have tried her in other events.. WP and Halter.. and shes just too much for thoes.. so I've trained her on barrels. Which she LOVES. She does get pretty excited when its time to run... but afterwards shes back to herself and does what I ask her to. Its kinda like a drug for them... its a rush of adrenaline to get out the and run full out!! So they will get a little hyped up, but thats normal. Some horses can't handle the pressure and will loose it compleatly, I think the key is using the horse for everything.. trails, other events... Im going to a few team pennings this year, just to keep her from gertting board.. or going sour on one event. The biggest problem I see is people start horses on barrels WAY too early... before they have had time to mature and have adequate training. So their horses end up going PSCHYO because it was just to much for them. My mare is 7 and this is her first real year of racing.. we have been traing for one year, I have taken it as slow as possible and it has paid off!! Becuase she wants to do it now!! Anyhow, its how the rider handles the horse. If the horse is rode all the time and kept fresh I don't think there should be any problem. But if your horse only gets rode when its time to run... he'll soon think hes supposed to run and get hyped everytime you on him.

05-13-2005, 11:54 PM	#1
SpiritSaddle Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,175 Images: 102	Gaming horses=psycho? Hmm....i always hear of gaming horses that turn out psycho and overly hyper and unable to be controlled. I know right before they enter the arena they spaz out, but otherwise, at home, are they ridable and stuff? i know if game with my horse too much that's all she once to do. But at home she's fine unless i start to run her too much. Then she's all trotty. ARE they ridable at home and stuff without any problem..? because if not, i don't want to get into serious gaming. If so, then okay! I just really would like to know... __________________ ~Angelika

05-14-2005, 06:55 AM	#5
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 32,425 Images: 864 Blog Entries: 18	Gaming horses do NOT have to be psycho in ANY WAY to be good. The BEST horses will walk INTO The arena and walk OUT of the arena at the owner's request. THey know when to turn up the heat and when to turn it off. My gaming horse found nitro this year, so I hope to be doing much better in the arena, but I can toss my 5 and 3 yr old up on him and he will LAZILY WALK the pattern like any old nag would. Psycho horses are created by bad riders who do not understand the concept of teaching the horse OTHER THINGS other than RUN RUN RUN. I've been to the rodeos and seen some of the top horses run. They are quiet until time to go. They are quiet as soon as things are done. These horses are the ones worth tens of thousands of dollars because they are winning the big money!! Rare do you find a "psycho" horse at those events doing successfully. Because gaming isn't about the run. Run is SECONDARY. What is primary is CONTROL. WIthout control, you will not be successful in gaming. Basically, from discussions here and abroad, when you are at home, DO NOT GAME. Trail ride, work the muscles for the event, but don't set up once your horse is trained to do the games you want. Go to other arenas and practice Western Pleasure, etc. Just because you LEAVE teh property doesn't mean you will run. And your horse has to understand that. My poor horse has been exposed to A LOT of things, but if you set up the barrels, warm him up for barrels, he's READY for barrels. BUt I can walk him in quietly and walk him out quietly. I'm not in danger nor is anyone around me in danger. There are some areas of the country and in some clubs that if you cannot walk your horse or the child walk the horse into the arena, they DQ you right then and there. Which, in my opinion, is EXCELLENT. Especially for the child. I see too many STUPID parents putting their children on horses that THEY Can't even control, yet have the NERVE to punish the child AND Horse for not running a good pattern and keeping control. (hello, I Wouldn't be able to control some of these monstrosoties they are expecting their 5-9 yr old children to control) Anyways, NO, your horse doesn't have to be or remain psycho in any way to be a great gaming horse. __________________ Can I have a midlife crisis now?

05-14-2005, 09:39 AM	#8
PaintedPNH Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,505 Images: 355	I'll post some pics for you and then you can decide...Like BW said about running gates and stuff...you get disqualified if your horse doesnt walk through the gate quietly. This is How She Places....(the 3rd is in Egg and Spoon) http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=40260 At the Trailer.... http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=29075 In the Areana... http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=29247 http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=29250 http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=29617 http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=40261 At Home.... http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=42382 http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=31208 http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...chmentid=30036 And the Pics that Prove she ISNT Psycho... Snickers Went...TO SCHOOL?!?! __________________ Check Us Out At: http://www.pair-a-deiss.webs.com I helped elect the first African American president of the United States. The best is yet to come. I've been snowballed!? Last edited by PaintedPNH; 05-14-2005 at 09:52 AM.

05-16-2005, 04:52 PM	#9
giddyupgal73 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Billings, Mt. Posts: 390 Images: 43	One thing you could do, I like my horses to just about anything. The first thing they learn is to be a good trail riding horse/ or working cattle. We'll do some halter and western pleasure and if I could ride english they would do that too. I would teach them to be a gaming horse last. I also found that if you use a different bit for each event they would associate that bit with whatever is going to be expected. Snaffle bit was always for training/teaching something new. Hackamore-trail riding. Western curb bit-western pleasure. Again If I could ride english I would use proper bit for that event. Games I used a snaffle, but It was a different snaffle from the training snaffle. Of course since they are LEARNING to game when I start them. I want to be able to have 2 hands on the reins to work them through the patterns. I never practiced games at home, only transitions.............Always keep your horse guessing. If I did paractice at home it was at a trot or a LOPE. And at the gaming event, after my ride, I would always dismount and loosen my girth before leaving the arena. This keeps them from running to the gate. Loosening the girth allows their rib cage to expand without being confined so they can catch their breath and thus keeping them from resenting entering the arena. And always make sure thay are warmed up before making a run, and cool them off before parking and hanging out with your buds. Gaming is really fun especially with a great equine partner. Proper training and handling will keep your horse an all arounder. __________________ Partee Time, Hunter, Beauty, Sheena, Mighty, Nikki

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05-14-2005, 01:06 AM	#2
thoroughbred_01 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,313 Images: 8	i really dont know lol

05-14-2005, 03:09 AM	#3
sian Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: insane asylum, England.... Posts: 2,148 Images: 38	they do need to be a little bit phyco to be game ponys lol otherwise they wouldnt be able to do it succsessfully! the game ponies i know are completely rideable at home. my friend as a 13hh games pony and before a comp jhe would be mental! yet at home her lil 5yo sis rides this pony of the lead! it does depend on the horse though ( i predume your tlkin bout mounted games right?)

05-14-2005, 06:07 AM	#4
John Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 3,747 Images: 60	I think it is more of a case where young riders are biting off more than they can handle with horses that are not trained well enough to stay under control by themselves.

05-14-2005, 07:51 AM	#7
AutumnAttic Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Michigan U.S.A. Posts: 6,106 Images: 150	I think as long as you dont do the games often at home, theyll be able to tell the difference between the gaming atmosphere and being quiet at home. I agree with blistering winds though

05-17-2005, 06:48 AM	#10
Paints4me Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,284 Images: 24	My mare is pretty high strung normally. I have tried her in other events.. WP and Halter.. and shes just too much for thoes.. so I've trained her on barrels. Which she LOVES. She does get pretty excited when its time to run... but afterwards shes back to herself and does what I ask her to. Its kinda like a drug for them... its a rush of adrenaline to get out the and run full out!! So they will get a little hyped up, but thats normal. Some horses can't handle the pressure and will loose it compleatly, I think the key is using the horse for everything.. trails, other events... Im going to a few team pennings this year, just to keep her from gertting board.. or going sour on one event. The biggest problem I see is people start horses on barrels WAY too early... before they have had time to mature and have adequate training. So their horses end up going PSCHYO because it was just to much for them. My mare is 7 and this is her first real year of racing.. we have been traing for one year, I have taken it as slow as possible and it has paid off!! Becuase she wants to do it now!! Anyhow, its how the rider handles the horse. If the horse is rode all the time and kept fresh I don't think there should be any problem. But if your horse only gets rode when its time to run... he'll soon think hes supposed to run and get hyped everytime you on him.