How do I get the horse the horse I ride to respect me while riding?
I just started riding a new horse. Yest. I took him to the outdoor arena. I began trying to lunge him on his lead a little because he was excited. I had to stop, because his halter was getting loose. He was better, so I rode him. He was good at the beginning, so I encouraged him. Probably 10minutes later, he started tossing his head, and sidestepping. I tried getting his attention and asked him to go forward. But he would back up and groan. He then trotted to the gate, and when I tried to make him turn, he’d groan and start jumping on the spot. I stayed on, and got him to turn around but then he just went back to the gate, and starting acting up. I think he started doing this because he heard other horses neighing. It was around supper time so maybe he was hungry. I got off, and tried lungeing him again, but he just stood and faced me with his head up. I think this is a respect issue, so what can I do? also what are the proper techniques for lungeing? Do you need a lunging whip?
I thought you were supposed to stand square, and look directly at them?
First thing that came to my mind….has he had his teeth floated recently? Head shaking can be a sign of the bit irratating the horse, which would happen if his teeth are sharp and need floated.
Do you have a round pen? Even if you don’t, you can do these same techniques with a lounge line in an arena. I like a round pen becuase the horse it totally free and not connected to you in any way.
When you want him to go, stand in the middle of the round pen or in the center of the circle you are loungeing him around. Do not face the horse – shoulder to shoulder is what you want. Your shoulder should be facing him, not the front of your body. Ask him to move on and don’t just pivot at the center of your circle, make a tiny circle along which you will walk.
When you want him to stop, turn and face the horse and ask him to stop (pull on the lounge line if you are using one).
Signs of submission will be the horse putting his head down low and chomping/licking his lips. This means he accepts you as the boss. When you two get really good at this, he will turn in to you and walk right up to you.
I don’t believe a whip is nescessary, but don’t be afraid to give him a good jerk or kick to let him know who is boss. If you remain docile around him these next few days he will really push you around.
If you have more questions, try doing an internet search on round penning
No, you do not need a lung whip. Your horse doesn’t respect you on the ground so have some work to do before it respects you in the saddle. I have been a polo groom and worked with green horses for the last eleven years. I suggest you look into natural horsemanship. This technique can show you how to become a partner with you horse, and how to communicate effectively with that horse.
You don’t need a whip if he lunges without one. Sound to me like he quit on you, the answer might be as simple as stop riding before he does…ex…if he quit at 10 mins. yesterday you get off at 9 mins. today… It may take a bit to get him on track and riding longer but it pays off in the long run. If that doesn’t work talk to a local trainer and see if they can give you any ideas. Most of the time a horse throws his head it is not disrespect it can be any number of things. I wouldn’t go with a tie down, what I wwould do is when he starts throwing his head stop him and restart, ON something else ex.. if you are at a trot when he trows his head stop. Restart at a walk, redirect his feet. With horses if you control the feet the rest of the body usually follows.
What kind of respect do you want? The “do it or I will hurt confuse and frighten you”, or the kind that comes from friendship, compassion and trust?
Its a new horse,spend some time just learning him and taking it nice and slow.
When your ready to longe, you will want a good longing DVD or book, side reins (donut is best) a surcingle,splint boots or polo wraps,good longe line,caveson or longing fork ( center of halter so it is balanced) and a longe whip that is aimed at his girth and never at any other part of his body,to simulate a small kick of your riding heel.
Respect is earned, a partnership of kind treatment and trust. It takes time.