well you know.
Lately he has really been pushing my buttons. He is fine as long as he is following our TB but if he is in front or if I ask anything of him, like to just back up, man the temper flys. All of a sudden he has a bad case of barn fever. He tosses so much and prances and fights me till my legs start shaking from all the work I am doing just to keep him from ramming his head in the gate! This is a horse that I have had since May and though I don't know his history he has been great, a little tempermental but hey he is an Arab and I like a little spunk but this behavior is ridiculous!
He is showing no signs of sickness, eats like a pig and is playful in the field. No signs of lameness or soreness, he comes like a bat out of.. when he hears the feed hit the trough. So what is his deal?
Answers:
You have alot of people telling you it is the bit.. You say lately pushing your buttons. I don't think it is that bit. I have that bit %26 I have never had a problem with that bit. It is a easy bit. I have found the horses I have worked with like that one. I moves, giving to pressure. Which is good. I'd try the bit a few more times, befor jumping to say it is the bit. He just sounds really barn sour! That is just keep taking him out by himself. He knows if he keeps tring to throw a fit you may let him go back. The people who owned him befor might have let him get away with that. So I think just keep working on him. Good luck!
If you've been doing everything else the same, and the bit is the only change, it's possible that it makes him so uncomfortable that he is reacting to it. Bits, if large, take up a lot of space in a horses mouth. Arabs have rather small mouths and pallets that aren't extremely high. Placing a large bit in a small mouth can make the horse feel like it's gagging as the tongue is forced out of the way. Stick to the other bit, work for a while behind the TB and then work a little ahead. Trade off places, working on reward for every time he's quiet while ahead.
if he is good in a regular snaffle ride him in one. however, if that isn't an option a would ride him in the dogbone snaffle a few more times and see if his temper changes. if not you need to find another bit. cuz its not worth you getting hurt over.
but yes i believe a new bit can mess with a horses temper. espescally if he had been in a regular snaffle a long time. the dogbone snaffle isn't much different but he may have picked up on the small change. hopefully a ride or two more and he will be fine with it. good luck.
An sore Arab is a Bas**** in the flesh. They can't think of anything but their owies. Go back to the old bit. As for the leading thing, he may feel insecure in the lead and he is acting out. Breathe slowly, count to a couple thousand and walk him in little circles until he stops. Then ask him to walk on. You may have to do this all day for a while, but it will give your legs a break and untrack him. Another thing to try is just to take him out as usual, but have his halter on under his bridle. Get off after a short while and tie him to a stout tree, then have a lunch or a read or anything that can take a good, long while. Even a good grooming is okay. This will help his patience factor [which sounds like it is zip] in a way an Arab can relate to. They are so-o-o-o-o much better at games than we are and revel in making every step into one if possible. He needs to learn life may be all about standing around swatting flies while tied for eons.
First off, it sounds like you were doing great until you switched bits, so I have to ask...why did you switch? From you talking about your thoroughbred, it sounds like he could possibly be buddy sour, but then again you make it sound like he's not, so if that worries you try handling that first. If it is the bit, then why would he be fine just following another horse is what I don't understand. Sometimes, when a horse get's comfortable with a person, they start acting like little kids and learn what they can and can't get away with. My horse is one of those types. He's fine for new riders, but when it comes to me or his original trainer, he acts like Denis the Menace. Try to think back to if you ever let him get away with any little thing like letting him go just a little faster than you wanted at times, or go a different way than what you first said. With horses, you have to be consistant, and you can't let them get away with anything, or "win a battle." If you let them win, then they'll think that they can always get away with that and will take advantage of you, especially since you haven't had this horse long. At first he was learning what he can and can't do, now that he's figured it out he does what he can. When he does act up you have to make him feel uncomfortable and make it noticable that he did wrong. For example, when he tosses his head and tries to run off with you just pull with one rein and make him go in circles until he stops, or otherwise known as a one rein stop. You have to be consistant with whatever method you chose. If he fights you, fight back. You won't win a battle of strength with him, but you can win a battle of wits. If you find a way to get him to move his feet in the direction you want, even if he goes backwards, you still win. Good luck with him, and God bless you both.
His deal is he is an Arabian. I had one thank god he was a gelding! You can't do much really to change how he is. Horses really do things because of the owner. Perhaps you are scared? Hesitant? Whatever it is you really need to change you attitude and not think of it as a negative experience. The more you think and say that he is a bat out of hell the more he is going to act like it and become one. The problems start with the owners not the horses. Figure out what your signals are telling him to do and find a way to change them and you'll both be happier.
it could have something to do with the bit
but arabs do have this nature and deffinelty need to be taught whos boss, try lunging him as much as you can and doing a lot of ground work, even if u have to hobble him... %26 if he mucks up at feed time, he can miss out for the night, dont feel guilty if you have to treat him a little mean by not feeing him when hes a pain...
try and ssend as much time as you can with him, by him self with no other horses around, he has to get use to it
its probably got nothing to do with you the way hes carrying on like this..
do you have a horse that is in foal or horsing? he may be getting the sent and it could be making him silly, or even the way he was broken may not have been 100% which means a lot of hard work for you but it will be worth it in the long run
good luck with this gg
im sure you will be fine!:D
treat them mean but keep them keen,
I don't really understand the question. I sounds like your on the trail and following a horse, but as soon as you move him to the front he goes bezerk. I hope I'm on the right path. Teaching a horse to lead can be a pain. They need to develop their confidence. Leading your horse by himself on the trail will help. In problem areas let him graze and feed him treats till he looks forward to the area. When riding with another horse ride abreast and tell the other rider to slow down till your horse is in front. Keep doing this till he accepts the distance and reward him. Also leave him behind sometimes too. Let him catch up when you ask him. Sounds like he's herd bound in a bad way. I always thought barn fever meant barn sour...running/prancing/fighti... to go faster home Slow out..fast in. So never run or trot him home within a quarter mile home. It's good to walk him and cool him off anyways. Bit wise it sounds fine. Check his teeth just in case...could be sharp edges causing pain. I prefer Dr. Cooks bitless bridle. You can google it. Costs about 150.00. Uses pressure points to guide the horse. Just love it and my horse has a a very happy mouth. It's probably more of a mental problem then I physical one. Good luck!
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