Horses are a lot like people in that they form habits (good and bad) and sometimes need to be re-trained. In many cases, attitude issues can be fixed by balancing the gut. However, if a horse (or a rider) needs to spend time with a professional trainer, it's worth the investment of your time and money.
If your horse's behaviour changes, it could mean they are distressed, bored, ill or injured. If you have any concerns about your horse's behaviour and how they are feeling always speak to your vet first and, if necessary, they can refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist.
Use your body language and stance to let the horse know its behavior is unacceptable. Stand squarely in front of the horse and look it in the eye. This will assert that you are alpha, the horse's leader. Remain calm so that the horse will respond to your behavior in a positive manner.
A study suggests that a horse who seems unhappy or aggressive in his stall is likely to have a negative attitude and choppier gaits when working under saddle. Before you tack up, take a minute to observe your horse in his stall for clues to his mood.
Groundwork can mean asking the horse to stand still, leading him or doing circling work. Every time you work with your horse, make sure he's following your rules and moving out of your space—constant reminders that you are the leader. Make him feel secure by giving him easy and clear rules to follow.
Pain is the most common reason horses show unwanted behaviors such as bucking, rearing, biting, kicking, and pulling back. Ignoring the pain and assuming the horse is purposefully being mischievous shows a lack of responsibility toward these animals, Dyson says.
A: The most important thing to understand is that the concept of punishment does not apply to horses and riding. You cannot punish a horse when you have a bad ride or something goes wrong. Instead, you correct the behavior. Horses do not understand when they have done something that we consider bad behavior or wrong.
If you feel like your horse doesn't like you, here are a few things that might be going on: Too much rigorous training. Not enough basic groundwork. Lacking confidence when giving commands.
So how do you get your horse's respect? A horse's respect is earned by moving his feet forward, backward, left, and right, and always rewarding the slightest try. Think about respect from your horse's point of view. When horses are thrown together out in a pasture, it's natural for them to establish a pecking order.
Distract yourself
Take the time to give your horse a good bath and wrap his legs. Clean your tack. Let the raw emotions fade rather than succumbing to them and letting negative self-talk take over. Sometimes when you argue with another person, you both need a moment or two to calm down before you can talk rationally.
Keep a safe zone between the horse's head and your left shoulder. If the horse begins passing you, check them back with an ample push on the nose band of the halter. Increase that signal until they stop. If this does not work, then pull their nose toward you and drive their hind end around so that they face you.
Horses do not have sudden outbursts of uncontrollable anger. Anger is often misinterpreted in horses. Horses are not naturally aggressive animals. They do not build up a lot of anger that would result in a temper tantrum as a release.
The varieties of aggression toward people include fear, pain induced, sexual (hormonal), learned, and dominance related. Some horses, especially young ones, play with each other while showing signs of aggression such as kicking and biting. Although benign to other horses, this can be dangerous to people.
Whatever movement you're riding, your horse should stay listening to you and not take over. Always have in your mind that you must be in control of each and every step he takes.
If a horse is grazing in a field and they come towards you when you are around you can be sure they like you. Horses that follow your movements in their presence show they are focused on and give you 100% of their attention. If your horse follows you around when they see you, they consider you as a friend.
Lunging your horse not only teaches him respect for your personal space, but also teaches discipline that will transfer to your horse when you are riding him. I will provide you with the instructions to lunge your horse in a way that is safe for you, as well as your horse.