Signs of Ring Sour at Horse Shows

[50ShadesOfHay]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Last night I just took her out on a trail and did some hill work. Walked back to the ring (she walked right in of course) hoped off at the opposite side of the ring and gave her some snacks. No one was around to practice with, but I talked to the grooms and let them know at her next show at the end of the month ABSOLUTLY no standing at the gate. I have a lesson this week and will also get a ‘game plan’ together with my trainer, since I’m not always there the days that she is showing her.

I think it will be a combo of direct from the warm up ring to the ring and a tap with a stick on the way. I already walk back to the warm up ring after to walk around for a bit to cool her off.

Also one addition once she gets in the ring, she is 100% fine, just packs around no grumpy behavior (ears forward) and doesn’t get quicker towards the gate and seems very happy/pleasant. I also usually stay in for my 2nd round.

[IPEsq]

Maybe while you are going through this training period, come out between rounds for a trip or two?

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;8607498]
Don’t park her at the in gate for a long time standing with her friends. That is what usually causes this. She doesn’t want to leave after she has been hangin’ with her homies for awhile. I have had many that do this. Stand her at the side of the ring with no other horses, warm up and walk right in ring. I will be surprised if that doesn’t help significantly.[/QUOTE]

this, keep her moving while waiting and don’t hang with other horses

[GrayMare]

One of my horses does this. He loves to show and once he’s in the ring is happy as can be and never thinks about the gate. His problem is more that he is on the lazy side and is cranky for a second when I ask him to “wake up” from his little two minute pre-round “nap.” My routine is generally to not stand him right at the ingate, but we stand a little bit back where the judge can’t see us while we check on the order, etc. Then, right before it’s our turn, I wake him up, use a touch of spur or crop if necessary, pick up the reins and walk him in a few brisk circles and then we march into the ring. We do the “waking up” before we walk up to the ingate, instead of asking him to both wake up and go in the ring at the same time.

I understand (and agree with) the sentiment of keeping the horse walking, but at many shows there are unavoidable “hurry up and wait” situations. A few quiet minutes in a shady spot to let a young horse relax makes the show a more pleasant and less exhausting experience.

[findeight]

[QUOTE=50ShadesOfHay;8608580]
Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Last night I just took her out on a trail and did some hill work. Walked back to the ring (she walked right in of course) hoped off at the opposite side of the ring and gave her some snacks. No one was around to practice with, but I talked to the grooms and let them know at her next show at the end of the month ABSOLUTLY no standing at the gate. I have a lesson this week and will also get a ‘game plan’ together with my trainer, since I’m not always there the days that she is showing her.

I think it will be a combo of direct from the warm up ring to the ring and a tap with a stick on the way. I already walk back to the warm up ring after to walk around for a bit to cool her off.

Also one addition once she gets in the ring, she is 100% fine, just packs around no grumpy behavior (ears forward) and doesn’t get quicker towards the gate and seems very happy/pleasant. I also usually stay in for my 2nd round.[/QUOTE]

Good girl, you get what we are saying and how your horse sees the show experience. Just do not ever jump your round, hop off at the gate and let her go to her condo and hang. Don’t do it at home either. Every time you school, leave the arena and RIDE to someplace different every day, work there for a few more minutes(like 5 min, they aren’t that bright) then get off in a different place every day and lead back. Get creative, trot down the driveway if you have to, get off at the mailbox there’s always a way to make it work even in tight spaces.

Errr…I always asked for forward before going in the gate, repeated, then demanded and then smacked. Not much of a tapper, just trying to be PC without knowing how you would interpret that. Tapping annoys them like a deer fly, make it clear what you want and back it up. One quick, hard smack and forget it. Just like another horse would to move them.

[50ShadesOfHay]

Update!

Showed my mare Elle last week at Culpeper and had no issues at the gate! On the days my trainer showed her she kept her walking/doing something, no parking and just some taps with the crop on the way to the ring. She also practiced at one of the rings that finished early during the week, just walking in and out.

The day I showed her did the same and she went right in

[Lord_Helpus]

You need to out think her. If she reacts to you trying to make her go in by backing up, then let her back up – after you turn her 180*. She will be doing what she wants to do – backing up – and also doing what you want her to do – go in the ring.

I had a horse who was the same about going by a big fake rock which covered up a well head. He would back up to avoid what he did not want to do. So we backed up, after turning around… And then I turned him around again and he saw that he had gone past the dreaded fake boulder — you should have seen the look on his face; it was priceless. It only took 3 times before he realized that he could get to the other side by going forward, and the problem was solved.

Point being, you need to out think your horse. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of _______

Of course, you will probably not get a ribbon, but missing out on a ribbon or 2 while solving a problem is worth it.