[carinlynchin]

I rode our boy today on a road and we did great on the way up that I'd let him stop and eat some grass...then we'd start off again...on the way back I did reward him again and then its like he decided it was his decision...he started walking to the sid eof the road and into the steep ditch or whatever you want to call it..at the edge of the woods...I get nervous on steep things because I am afraid the horse will lose his footing and I'll fall with him. I would turn his head towards the road but his body would keep going forward and sometimes the opposite direction going into the ditch and I'd halt him or have to literally pull his head to the side to far like a lateral flexion exercise before he'd finally move into the road again.

Its like he knew I was getting nervous...I had this problem with my other horse but I got off a couple times and walked him back to the center of the road and got on and he'd go right back to the ditch..I picked up on the fact that he knew I'd get off ...so when he'd start heading that way I whipped him around in a few circles before he finally decided I wasn't going to stand for it and finally continued forward....

I did get off this horse once because I had gotten so close to the edge that I got really nervous and couldn't help myself...so I think he got the idea and thats why he kept doing it...I turned him in circles although not as much as my other horse and he kept doing it....He would try to eat grassa few times as well but mostly I think he just wanted me to get off...he didn't do ti to the other side of the road...it wasn't steep there...actually went up a hill on that side...

are there any other tricks on getting them to mind when they do this...its like even though you have their head turned...they are like side stepping...it drives me nuts...and makes me extremely nervous. I hate to be harsh with him but I am not going to get hurt because he wants to be stubborn...you'd figure they'd not try to lose their footing...but he was walking one direction with his head in the other...I know he would've fallen.

help

[BettaBlossoms]

Do the one rein stop, pull your inside arm parallel with the neck back as far as you can go, the horse will begin to circle, to this when he starts to pull you, this will teach that you are in charge, and no matter what, they are doing as you tell them! You just let him get lazy, try to never let your horse eat grass while you're in the saddle, that is an idea they know they had, so, making you stop leading so they can munch means they take charge, and no longer see you as the leader...

When ever your horse acts up, draw your arm back gently, but firmly, you don't want to wrench their neck towards you, this sends out the wrong message, and could harm them, you just want them to know for sure you are in charge, and that they will follow your direction, or they have lots of work to do

good luck, and happy trails

[luttrellfarms]

It is best, when riding, not to allow your horse to stop and eat. It seems like a nice thing to do but as you can tell it causes problems. My wife does the same thing and after a few rides there are problems that occur that takes about a day to get worked out. If it were me, I would treat him with eating when I got back from the ride. At this point, while riding you can try bumping the rein instead of pulling when you first feel the horse starting. If this does not work you may either have to work with it in a lot and get the problem solved and/or you might try spurs and give him a bump while you are turning him. Spurs are a very good tool if used at the right time and in the right amount. If you and your horse is not used to spurs, start off touching him as lightly as possible to see how he responds. You can always add some pressure.
Hope this helps.

[carinlynchin]

Originally Posted by BettaBlossoms

Do the one rein stop, pull your inside arm parallel with the neck back as far as you can go, the horse will begin to circle, to this when he starts to pull you, this will teach that you are in charge, and no matter what, they are doing as you tell them! You just let him get lazy, try to never let your horse eat grass while you're in the saddle, that is an idea they know they had, so, making you stop leading so they can munch means they take charge, and no longer see you as the leader...

When ever your horse acts up, draw your arm back gently, but firmly, you don't want to wrench their neck towards you, this sends out the wrong message, and could harm them, you just want them to know for sure you are in charge, and that they will follow your direction, or they have lots of work to do

good luck, and happy trails

thanks...told you I needed training...

I am the one with the twh mare ...

[Bruce Wiley]

Before doing the 1 rein stop, or any other technique, you should gain the total control over the horse's mind & it's performance.
The horse is doing this because it is the horse idea & not yours.
The horse shouldn't be allow to eat grass until you are able to control it's mind & it's goings.
Ground work should be the plan, leaving no stone stons unturn.
To gain control of the horse mind & it's respect, you must be able to request the horse & get the horse to move in any directions doing transitions, changing directions often, speed control up, down, slow etc, also being able to stop the horse in certain spots and to convey to the horse, this is your idea and the horse needs to be convince of your leadership without any negative human behavior.

The next thing would be to ride where you can like... an enclosed arena.
Re enforcing, helping the horse to become more familar with your requests and the new routine. The horse must be kept busy with your request and only allow small breaks to just relax & then back to work.
When the horse has passed all of it's test in the arena, then the horse should be taken out and again kept busy, only allowing small breaks to process & become famliar with the routine and no grass eating until the horse has proven he is under your control at all times.

Over time you can decide the right time & place to allow the horse to take a break & eat grass and this technique should be mix up often.
I hope this helps.

[Berlunz]

Its best not to let the horse eat grass while you are on its back. There is a time and place for everything and out on the trail while you are riding is not the time for snackies. Its riding time. So while it might seem like a great reward in the end its just going to turn into a sore spot where whenever he sees a big patch he will assume its snack time.

To me it sounds like you have control of his mouth but not his body. You can turn his head all you want with the reins but its not going to make his body go that direction. You need to start riding more from your seat. When he starts to sidepass to the area use your leg and close off that escape route. It sounds like he is falling out at the shoulder so instead of pulling his head away from the object try pushing his body away. Put your rein (the one he is falling out on) over his shoulder to try and stop this with the pressure from the rein.. if this doesnt work pull it to force his shoulder in then use your leg to press against his side and push him over. In this case his head would be facing towards the object and you might even be pulling the rein towards the object but you are forcing his body away from it. Right now you can pull the rein away all you want but he will just keep his body moving, so right now you need to make his body, and not his head, move away from the object. If you absolutely need to just pull him to a complete stop and make him sit still and then pet, then use your leg to push him away from the object a step or two and pet.

I can understand why you got off but its just a victory in his mind, not only has he learned a way to get a treat, but he has learned how to get you off. Maybe try going on a trail ride where there are no mountains, just a normal trail that if he tries this you can work with him without getting nervous about coming off?

[carinlynchin]

[quote=Bruce Wiley;2832353]Before doing the 1 rein stop, or any other technique, you should gain the total control over the horse's mind & it's performance.
The horse is doing this because it is the horse idea & not yours.
The horse shouldn't be allow to eat grass until you are able to control it's mind & it's goings.
quote]


what are transitions? is that when you change directions while lunging

[carinlynchin]

Originally Posted by Berlunz

To me it sounds like you have control of his mouth but not his body. You can turn his head all you want with the reins but its not going to make his body go that direction. You need to start riding more from your seat. When he starts to sidepass to the area use your leg and close off that escape route. It sounds like he is falling out at the shoulder so instead of pulling his head away from the object try pushing his body away. Put your rein (the one he is falling out on) over his shoulder to try and stop this with the pressure from the rein.. if this doesnt work pull it to force his shoulder in then use your leg to press against his side and push him over. In this case his head would be facing towards the object and you might even be pulling the rein towards the object but you are forcing his body away from it. Right now you can pull the rein away all you want but he will just keep his body moving, so right now you need to make his body, and not his head, move away from the object. If you absolutely need to just pull him to a complete stop and make him sit still and then pet, then use your leg to push him away from the object a step or two and pet.

yes i get it, I was told this by someone else as well
but what I did was...we were walking in the middle of the road (so if he went that way I had time to correct him) and he starts to walk crooked to the edge of the road and into the side...then i turn him to the left (road) and give pressure wiht right foot...his head turned, but his body (front) keeps walkign into the ditch...until I have to pressure with both reins for him to stop...back him up or pull his head so far to the side where his nose almost touches my leg before he finally makes his body follow....I was told what you said about the turnign toward the object...and I think that is so his hind end won't fall into it..but it wasn't his hind end...it was his front end...and I did have pressure on the right side but he kept on walking right.....I will have to just keep wroking ...and trust me ....no more snacks for a long time while riding!!

[Lindsayanne]

As you've found, reins don't control the horse. You need to learn to ride with your butt, your legs, and your brain. Working with a good riding instructor is the best way to learn safely how to ride your horse in a way you and your horse can enjoy.