At 02:01:13 on 02.10.11, edenandregal wrote:
I started leasing my first horse in mid August, and he seemed perfect then, but some problems have come around. When I ride him, he just wants to canter, and I cant stop him. When I ask for a trot, he'll canter for a few strides and try to go in a different direction, and it keeps getting worse! Last friday he did the same thing except he almost galloped to the other side of the arena, then stoped about 20 cm from the gate. I was hanging on to his neck, then he started trotting back in the direction he came from, but thankfully I didnt fall off. I was really scared because that would only be my second fall ever, and my first fall of him. I have only ridden him once since then, and he was acting really weirdly, so I lunged him, but he just went mental. So in the last week I haven't ridden him at all which is really bad but I'm too scared to now, but I know I have to because I'm stuck with him until August 2012. What should I do? :(

At 05:42:52 on 02.10.11, TwilightTango wrote:
I cant give much advice but don't go riding alone, and have a more experienced rider or intructer help you with him.

At 07:04:39 on 02.10.11, Kiru wrote:
ok I'm 15 but I trained My own horse (I started at 13) I've been through this, and it's hard. to stop him do a One-Rein-Stop, take one rein and pull it toward your hip (where your belt is) till he comes to a complete stop, if he does it again when you let him out of the circle turn him to the other side then the one you just did, and repeat till he figures out to stop and stand still. because horses learn by release of pressure, you have to first hae pressure to release, turning him in a tight circle is the pressure: pressure on the mouth because of the bit, and pressure in his feet (because he's moving a way he doesn't want to). by releasing "ONLY" when he stops creates the "release" he's looking for, he'll first look for an answear, and it won't be the right one at first, but thats where timing comes in, as soon as he's at a dead stop, RELEASE! if he starts moving and you didn't cue him, FLEX HIM IN A SMALL CIRCLE! my mare was bad about going when "she" wanted to, but now she's perfect :)

At 08:28:11 on 02.10.11, kibby wrote:
One question, has there been any changes recently. Like food or time he spends out in a paddock or doesn't? you said he was acting weird maybe there is a reason behind this. In the mean time I would put him on brewers yeast and get a good instructor to either ride or just be eyes on the ground.

At 00:51:18 on 03.10.11, edenandregal wrote:
Thanks everyone :) just so you know, I have lessons with a really good and experienced instructor every week. I don't know where we're going in them though, regal doesn't seem to be making any kind of progress even after almost 2 months of weekly lessons, and I work on the same things that I learn in lessons when I'm riding on my own. kibby, I don't think there has been any changes that could affect him, he has been kept in the same paddock for about 9 years, not the weather, not his feed, and he spends I guess about 12 hours each week out of his paddock. I'm going to see him today so I'll try what you suggested, Kiru. :)

At 22:04:46 on 06.10.11, mary3212 wrote:
Hi,I know you've your trying Kiru's suggestion but if that doesn't work or actually even if it does work you could still try this,it kinda builds a stronger relationship with your horse and helps you understand each other better and it helps to show him who's boss without any hitting or violence,its called join up and its a natural horsemanship thing.It would be better if you had a circular pen but a arena is fine too.Put these links (youtube links) into your search engine and it'll explain how to do it.Its really helpful when you do it properly,hope it help =] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAoVTm96OiM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dx91mH2voo