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I will try to answer as many questions as I can. He has been off the track for a while. He was at a rescue in a field for five months before I adopted him in September of 2007. We have been creeping along in his training, with me working so hard to understand him. We are doing so great together in the ring. He is one of the best horses I have ever ridden-smart and wants to please. He is quite a confident guy too. When something new is introduced (tarps, bikes, etc), he can’t get to it fast enough to explore. He is a big puppy with me now when in his comfort zone. We have had to work through his dominant personality, as I am naturally passive and he is naturally strong-willed. We have come to an understanding though, and although I know it is an ongoing relationship, I feel good about the growth we have made. Realistically, to get on real trails, I need to ship him out (which is what we did yesterday), but I am planning to clear the acre of woods behind the barn here, to work on tight spaces, things brushing against his tummy (that really pissed him off yesterday). My expectations were too high I guess. I was hoping for the pussycat I have at home. I hear these wonderful stories of people taking their horses out for the first time, and they are angels. I was hoping that would happen to me! I did go with a been-there-done-that horse, which was good. My boy did settle pretty quickly and relaxed while munching grass. It was anytime we did something -anything else, he would turn into dinosaur-neck monster.
I am contemplating sending him to someone who will give him a ton of miles, but I do not have the funds for that now. I also know that I am the one who will have to ride him out there eventually. Here is another question; Is it a waste of time to have someone else put mileage on him, when I will ultimately be riding him? I am a cautious rider/horse person, but work very hard to present as a confident leader for him (I know someone here mentioned that). I read a lot of Jane Savoie. :sadsmile:[/QUOTE]
I haven’t read all the posts, so this advice may have been offered before.
First I would look at his diet – many TBs can be amped up pretty good by grain. Also – his down time is spent in a large pasture or turn-out or is he stalled? Most (not all) TBs are high energy, reactive horses – they were bred to race – so it could be he is abit over fed for his activity level.
Second, he got trailered to the trail head, correct? You didn’t just ride him off the property?
So, how often does he get trailered to new places? Is that a common experience for him?
Lastly, you can’t underestimate the power of the herd. I’ve had horses start to get anxious when I took them to the end of the driveway – and these were horses that were total buddas in THEIR pasture or THEIR arena.
I did the same thing with one of my mares, and it was one of the STUPIDEST horse-related things I’ve ever done. She was always so mellow at home – I wrapped her in a hay tarp once for fun – so I did NO prep work for her registry inspection as a 4 yr. old. So that day I put the bridle on (first time in 1 yr), took her off the property away from her herd (1st time in 2 yrs.), trailered her to a strange stable, and stabled her overnight. The next morning she was an absolute nutcase!!! I have never seen this mare behave like that before or since.
Almost caprioled one of the inspectors in the noggin (!) and when her turn to show off her paces came, she tore around the arena like Secretariat on meth. She was a total booger and just barely in my control.
As a result, she just missed score high enough for Elite status – and that’s a shame 'cause she’s a nice mare.
Turns out she was ovulating that day, and the horse in the stall behind her was a breeding stallion – I’m sure that didn’t help either.
But the point is, we can never forget they ARE horses. You need to go back and take smaller steps. Try hand-walking him to the edge of your property if you can. Trailer him more – and walk him around if you don’t feel safe riding him.
I’ve never done it, but attending one of these “De-Spook Your Horse” clinic might be helpful if it’s correctly taught. From what I hear it helps you and your horse learn how to deal and face scary situations. You can’t possibly pre-expose a horse to each new thing, but you CAN teach him (and you) how to deal with panic in the horse. Then it doesn’t really matter what sort of new thing you see out there.
Maybe sent him out for trail training – there are people in my area that will concentrate on trail for your horse. You DO have to be able to ride out whatever the horse gives you, however, although these days the tendency is to expect the horse to just behave all the time. But they are horses, and so they shall always remain.
I love TBs – I spent over 10 years on the track doing everything from galloping to walking hots to grooming to training. I developed a great fondness for them. Now I have other “hot” breeds (Arabs & Akhal Tekes), but I can still admire a really solid TB.
Good luck.
you must ride him like you have him between your leg and the rail right there at the house…
When I got him, I got him because I wanted to get myself something to enjoy riding, as well as give a homeless animal a home. I did a lot of research relating to tbs before adopting him, and feel like I went in with eyes wide open. I knew/know that there will be speed bumps in our journey, I just want to vent about it. I also don’t think it hurts to get some wise opinions of those who have been there/done that, so I did. 