help- horse wont stand!

cantara · 07-08-2009, 01:39 PM

ok so the past 2 weeks my horse has randomly started to fuss when we halt (at home and at a show). he will stand for a couple seconds then start fussing with his bit, and dancing all over the place. to try to correct this i back him up and put him into a tight circle and say 'woah'. unfortunately this isn't working and i can't figure out how to fix it. meanwhile it is getting worse and i went to a show last weekend and he half reared in the line up because he didn't want to stand. he has never had this problem before and has never acted like this. i havn't changed anything so i dont know why this is happening. Its not only dangerous for us, but for other riders as well and i dont want to cause any problems for others. what can you guys suggest to try to solve this?? please any suggestion will do

he is a 5yr old QH if this helps

Zanerkin177 · 07-08-2009, 01:42 PM

perhaps he is testing his boundaries.

cantara · 07-08-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanerkin177

perhaps he is testing his boundaries.

so how do i stop him?

notanumber · 07-08-2009, 02:04 PM

Ah, I'm dealing with this with my mare (she's in her terrible threes!) - she's getting better gradually. Every ride, I make her wait at some point. She's good for a couple seconds, then starts nodding her head, shifting her weight, playing with the bit and wants to GOGOGO. I ignore the bit-fidgeting, but if she shifts her weight to move or takes a step, we flex, bend in tight circles both ways, back back back and only stop when she is moving straight and in uniform and when I say stop. Then I wait. After one or two times she is more focused on me and typically waits just a little bit longer before fidgeting again. Rinse and repeat. My girl is young so I don't do too much of this, just building patience slowly. Your guy is 5 and should have a better attention span.
Basically, I am telling her, "Ok, you want to move? Fine, we'll move. We will do boring circles and back 50 feet if we have to. You will work work work but not go anywhere, if you want to move. Ok? Oh, you want to stand quietly now? That's good, sure. That's what I wanted." I give her nice strokes on the neck when she is standing relaxed and is listening to me, to encourage a calm and still mind.

Zanerkin177 · 07-08-2009, 02:04 PM

do you think he's buddy sour or just doesn't like to stand still?

Nuu · 07-08-2009, 02:05 PM

Don't let him go forward. His fussing is because he's impatient and he WANTS to go forward, not stand still like you want him to.

Everytime he fusses, back him for a few steps. Stop and wait. If he fusses, back him. Stop and wait. Then ask him to go forward ONLY when he's not fussing. Ask him to stop and wait after a nice little walk. Wait for a few moments; if he fusses while halted then back him. If not, walk on. Continue this, each time waiting longer and longer. He needs to listen to you, not frustrate you. He's young, so he's impatient. You just need to get it in his head that standing still is more fun for him then walking backwards all the time.

Lateral movement is also good. Anything that isn't forward and that gets his mind off of moving forward. You've gotten it in his mind that if he fusses he gets to go forward(the circle) and not have to stand still like you want him to, thus, a potential reason he is getting worse.

notanumber · 07-08-2009, 02:07 PM

Just to clarify - when I say circles, I don't mean actual large circles, I mean bend her around and move her hindquarters so she is basically turning in one spot. There really is no 'forward' motion to it.

Chiko · 07-08-2009, 02:11 PM

My mare was trained to stand when mounted before I bought her. She stayed that way for the first month or so and then she started to walk away when I'd try to mount. I didn't know enough to correct her asap. So finally after many months of just putting up with it, I finally decided to give her a swat on the behind when she tried to walk away. She was shocked and stopped in her tracks. She tried a few times after that, so I swatted her behind and she knew right away and stood still. No problems since then.
I tried correcting it the same way you did with circles and backing up, but to no avail. Who would have thought a little spanking would have worked so well. My mare is quite sensitive though, so I barely had to tap her.
I think your horse is just testing you as well. Maybe he needs a swat as a gentle reminder.

cantara · 07-08-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanumber

Just to clarify - when I say circles, I don't mean actual large circles, I mean bend her around and move her hindquarters so she is basically turning in one spot. There really is no 'forward' motion to it.

thats basically what i do. i bend his nose almost to my boot and in small tight circles almost turning on his haunches. thanks everyone for your help and please keep it coming

cantara · 07-08-2009, 11:35 PM

bump bump...

07-08-2009, 01:39 PM	#1
cantara Full Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 116 Images: 3	help- horse wont stand! ok so the past 2 weeks my horse has randomly started to fuss when we halt (at home and at a show). he will stand for a couple seconds then start fussing with his bit, and dancing all over the place. to try to correct this i back him up and put him into a tight circle and say 'woah'. unfortunately this isn't working and i can't figure out how to fix it. meanwhile it is getting worse and i went to a show last weekend and he half reared in the line up because he didn't want to stand. he has never had this problem before and has never acted like this. i havn't changed anything so i dont know why this is happening. Its not only dangerous for us, but for other riders as well and i dont want to cause any problems for others. what can you guys suggest to try to solve this?? please any suggestion will do he is a 5yr old QH if this helps __________________ ♥The Ultimate Smile♥ 5yr old 16hh registered AQH gelding.

07-08-2009, 01:42 PM	#2
Zanerkin177 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Army :D Posts: 1,288 Images: 7	perhaps he is testing his boundaries. __________________ A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.

07-08-2009, 02:04 PM	#5
Zanerkin177 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Army :D Posts: 1,288 Images: 7	do you think he's buddy sour or just doesn't like to stand still? __________________ A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.

07-08-2009, 02:05 PM	#6
Nuu Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 340 Images: 31	Don't let him go forward. His fussing is because he's impatient and he WANTS to go forward, not stand still like you want him to. Everytime he fusses, back him for a few steps. Stop and wait. If he fusses, back him. Stop and wait. Then ask him to go forward ONLY when he's not fussing. Ask him to stop and wait after a nice little walk. Wait for a few moments; if he fusses while halted then back him. If not, walk on. Continue this, each time waiting longer and longer. He needs to listen to you, not frustrate you. He's young, so he's impatient. You just need to get it in his head that standing still is more fun for him then walking backwards all the time. Lateral movement is also good. Anything that isn't forward and that gets his mind off of moving forward. You've gotten it in his mind that if he fusses he gets to go forward(the circle) and not have to stand still like you want him to, thus, a potential reason he is getting worse. __________________ Don't take me seriously. No, really. Don't.

07-08-2009, 02:11 PM	#8
Chiko Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 269 Images: 57	My mare was trained to stand when mounted before I bought her. She stayed that way for the first month or so and then she started to walk away when I'd try to mount. I didn't know enough to correct her asap. So finally after many months of just putting up with it, I finally decided to give her a swat on the behind when she tried to walk away. She was shocked and stopped in her tracks. She tried a few times after that, so I swatted her behind and she knew right away and stood still. No problems since then. I tried correcting it the same way you did with circles and backing up, but to no avail. Who would have thought a little spanking would have worked so well. My mare is quite sensitive though, so I barely had to tap her. I think your horse is just testing you as well. Maybe he needs a swat as a gentle reminder. __________________ www.horse-n-saddle.com "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person."

07-08-2009, 02:04 PM	#4
notanumber Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 951 Images: 76	Ah, I'm dealing with this with my mare (she's in her terrible threes!) - she's getting better gradually. Every ride, I make her wait at some point. She's good for a couple seconds, then starts nodding her head, shifting her weight, playing with the bit and wants to GOGOGO. I ignore the bit-fidgeting, but if she shifts her weight to move or takes a step, we flex, bend in tight circles both ways, back back back and only stop when she is moving straight and in uniform and when I say stop. Then I wait. After one or two times she is more focused on me and typically waits just a little bit longer before fidgeting again. Rinse and repeat. My girl is young so I don't do too much of this, just building patience slowly. Your guy is 5 and should have a better attention span. Basically, I am telling her, "Ok, you want to move? Fine, we'll move. We will do boring circles and back 50 feet if we have to. You will work work work but not go anywhere, if you want to move. Ok? Oh, you want to stand quietly now? That's good, sure. That's what I wanted." I give her nice strokes on the neck when she is standing relaxed and is listening to me, to encourage a calm and still mind.

07-08-2009, 02:07 PM	#7
notanumber Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 951 Images: 76	Just to clarify - when I say circles, I don't mean actual large circles, I mean bend her around and move her hindquarters so she is basically turning in one spot. There really is no 'forward' motion to it.

07-08-2009, 11:35 PM	#10
cantara Full Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 116 Images: 3	bump bump... __________________ ♥The Ultimate Smile♥ 5yr old 16hh registered AQH gelding.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
She wont stand still...	JasmineNJackson	Horse Training	3	07-21-2008 04:14 PM
My mare wont stand alone	Debbie z.	Tack & Equipment	4	03-21-2008 08:40 PM
Wont Stand Still	mistylover	Horse Training	5	08-09-2007 01:51 PM
Wont Stand Still!	Teaka_Winnie	Horse Training	9	02-03-2007 05:24 PM
Wont stand still	minilove	Horse Training	15	06-12-2005 02:31 PM