Arena Issues

[Otejumper]

Hey all. Want to preface this with my horse is…unique.

He is an absolute gem in our indoor arena. Rides and jumps in a myler snaffle. Spooks occasionally but he is in remission from EPM so that still affects him a bit. But he’s perfect inside. Quiet, waits to the jumps, clean changes, correct and balanced flatwork.

When we are in the outdoor, it’s like he has no brain cells. Just wants to run, will swap leads randomly, some days it’s a challenge to quietly canter a circle. To the jumps he just bounces up and down and wants to rocket launch over everything. Completely opposite ride outside than inside. Not a pain issue because clearly he’s perfectly happy to work inside. Also not just an outdoor issue because he was wonderful at a horse show outside a month ago. He’s usually okay outside until we canter. Then I lose him completely.

How to desensitize him to this outdoor? We moved to this property in 2021. Something about this outdoor arena is clearly super upsetting to him, and it’s becoming very upsetting to me not being able to nicely and calmly ride my horse outside. Feel like if I want to have a good ride that’s not a fight, I just have to ride inside.

I’ve tried giving cookies while on him out there, changing tack set up(martingale vs none, more but vs less bit, etc).

What would you do?
For reference, he’s a 14 yo OTTB gelding. Previously diagnosed with EPM, successful in treating, was mild. History of ulcers, treated successfully. Gets yearly maintenance of hocks and stifles.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Are you near some construction? A busy street? A forest?
Can you use ear plugs/poms? They have incredible hearing so maybe there’s something out there that’s scaring the crap out of him or the wind whistling in his ears, etc.

Have you tried lunging him outdoors at just the walk and trot… and then starting your experience? Have you tried warming up indoors and then going for a walk outside one day… then the next day, same routine… with a light trot. Maybe just don’t canter for a bit and see what you have. Or do transitions where you go walk/trot/walk. Trot, extended trot, collected trot, walk. Trot, canter, trot. extended trot, collected trot, walk, canter. So that’s paying more attention to the exercise than the other factors.

Can you determine if there is one side versus the other that gets him fired up? Maybe just stick to the less scary side for cantering for a bit and see if he lets it go a little.

The biggest thing… as much as you are frustrated… you CANNOT pass that along. That’s how they get your number. If he thinks you’re expecting it… best believe he’s going to be ready to rise to the challenge.

[Jealoushe]

Start slow. Make the outdoor the FUN place to be.

Start on the ground and just doing short walks maybe 5 mins each direction. Hang out in the middle. Do some stretches. Lots and lots of treats and mints. Then leave the outdoor and spend 30mins grazing outside of it.

Do this every day or every other day. Then start adding lunging but always make the work short and fun. From there graduate to under saddle and just do the walks around the outside. I would do the same type of warm up pattern every day so your horse gets comfortable.

Any time there is a stress go back to what your horse is good at. End rides early before they get too tense. Don’t be afraid to take steps back when you lose progress.

And again graze them around the outdoor often if you can.

[dags]

I’m going to assume this isn’t your private ring(?) and he can’t just go “live” in the ring for a few weeks? Otherwise, I’d probably try just turning him out in there and letting him be for as long as rules allow. If just existing in it is clearly fine, I’d probably make him trot and check that, then canter and check that, and see if any of it mirrors your experience under saddle.

My nagging suspicion is some kind of odor… One night in a lesson all the horses were just losing their minds. All of them, even the sane ones. No one could figure it out and we were all doing the best we could to have a productive lesson, when one of the parents mentioned they had run over a skunk the night before, and that car was parked right next to the most troublesome corner of the ring.

Obviously skunk stink isn’t going to last a year but I might be inclined to do some investigating of the grounds… the offending reek may not even be all that close to arena, and the indoor walls are a very effective barrier… and working at the canter makes for far more active nostrils…?

lol I’m aware I’m reaching but it’s not every day you find one that’s sane inside and nuts outside

[widge]

Longe him in the outdoor - let him really go wild (safely, of course). Then some light work ending before he melts down. You could consider finishing his work indoors if needed but I would say opt for the short and sweet and gradually build up what that time looks like.

[dags]

Another random thought, anything special about the footing outside? Could it be kicking up and annoying sensitive belly skin when he goes faster?

[awaywego]

Has this always been an issue? Or is it a development since EPM?

[endlessclimb]

Is the footing the same inside and out?

Will he walk/trot calmly, but the problems primarily exist at the canter? After you canter, can he trot and walk calmly after a little bit of effort?

If yes, I’d stick his bum on a 20m circle, and do transitions. Canter for 2-3 strides, back to a trot until he relaxes. Rinse repeat. Then add a low jump - trot to it, and get him back to the trot ASAP afterwards, just keep trotting around until he relaxes, rinse repeat.

I honestly feel like sometimes they’re worse at home than away, because they know where their buddies are, and where “home” is.

[Live_Wire]

Do you have any of his attention when you’re in the outdoor? I have a very similar gelding. Going back to ground work and being very intentional and rigid (but NOT aggressive or quick!) has been the golden ticket, then I just mimic that undersaddle. Always, always stop while you’re ahead. If you think “just one more” DON’T. Once youve had a breakthrough, be done. Rinse and repeat.

[Jealoushe]

They’re definitely worse at home!

[Texarkana]

I wouldn’t discount pain or discomfort. My horse was similar in the sense she was mostly fine in the indoor but a maniac in the outdoor.

For her, the problem was saddle fit plus bit style. Neither was obviously bad or problematic (both had been assessed by pros), but changing both solved the majority of her quirks.

Now why she could put up with it indoors but not outdoors, who knows. Footing?

I doubt your horse is taking issue to his tack like mine was, but based on my experience, I think it’s very possible for a horse to be less physically comfortable in one arena v. the other.

[Atlas_Shrugged]

Lyme?

[Katie81]

Is the footing outside different than the indoor? May be something about it he doesn’t like or is causing pain.