Hi all, I’ve been having issues with my new-ish horse’s behavior in the ring where I board him- he is very tense and not at all happy to trot in that ring- head up, hollow back, short strides, often ears back. Only the trot, the walk, canter and any jumping are not an issue. I’ve ridden him in other rings and on the trails and we have none of that behavior. He also didn’t have this issue in the ring the first few months I had him (I’ve had him 6 months, he had other issues then but that’s a different post!). I think he associates the ring with pain from the ulcers he had and were treated shortly after I got him, at that point we did predominately ring work. I’ve stopped working in the ring most of the time, given his behavior it just isn’t fun for either of us but it is frustrating not to progress on our flat work. I’m at a bit of a loss on what is best for us- keep working in the ring so that he has a more positive association? Stick to other rings (which we can’t get to often) and trails where he’s happier and hope he over time there isn’t that negative association? I’ve tried to shorten this so it isn’t a book, please lmk if there is any helpful things to know that I’ve left out!
What’s your trainer’s take? Sound like you need a lesson so you can get some current input.
Don’t know that this will help, but it’s what I would do if my horse was nervous in a ring regardless of reason (sometimes my horse and I are asked to do demos in rings where he hasn’t been before --he’s always nervous in a new place). First I saddle, lead to the ring and we do our first “dance” --it’s a series of ground work exercises that I find relax him and remind him that I control his front, back, and sideways motion --this as I said, is done on the ground, in hand, but with bridle and saddle on. The ground work exercise concludes with lunging on a short lunge line (about 17 feet) at the trot, turning both ways at a nod from me. I ask for one or two cantered circles each way. If Will is going to be fractious, this is where it will show up --shaking head -striking forward–acting playful --if he does, we lunge a bit more. But usually, I now have his attention. I mount --expecting him to stand still until I tell him to go forward. Then we immediately pick up a trot and do figures --like 8s, or clover leafs, or just 10 meter circles around the ring. We change direction often. By now, it’s been about 20 min --and Will is focused on me. If he’s the slightest bit nervous --back to trotted circles --walking is a reward for him.
The important thing is that I always do the same routine. If I’m pressed for time, I might shorten everything, but I don’t skip steps. Horses like routine --go in with your plan in mind, and do it. Your horse will start to anticipate and relax.
Will needs to be totally focused on me when we are done --I ride my demos without using a bridle --but Will knows his job -no matter how jittery we both are, once I pick up my bow (I shoot mounted archery), Will is all business --that makes me relax and have fun demonstrating my sport.
He doesn’t sound nervous to me, he sounds sour. I’d find a million weird things to do with him in there. Kick an exercise ball around. Play with a tarp. Try to convince him to knock over a cone.
and, I’d do everything humanly possible on a totally loose rein until this started to improve.
