Bad Behavior
Q. The horse I ride doesn’t like to be ridden and doesn’t respond to my signals. I have to have someone hold his head while I sneak up with a halter behind my back to be able to catch him! He takes off trotting before I tell him to. He neck reins but doesn’t respond. He’s very stubborn, and I can’t lunge him. He’s fat and lazy. He’s not the dominant male of his field, so if the “boss” takes off, so does Goldie! How can I teach him that I’m in charge and he’s not? I really want him to mind me and hopefully compete with him someday.
A. My first suggestion to you will be to get a riding instructor to teach you how to handle and ride Goldie properly. If you are an inexperienced rider, you have no way of determining the source of your problems with Goldie, and therefore no hope of correcting them. It’s possible that Goldie is not all that well trained to begin with. It’s possible that he is well-trained but just doesn’t understand the specific cues you’re using. Or perhaps he’s just too out of shape to be able to respond willingly. Or perhaps he’s lazy and ill-mannered by nature. Or perhaps he has some physical malady that prevents him from doing as you wish. The possible explanations for his uncooperative behavior are nearly endless, but a qualified instructor/trainer should be able to help get to the bottom of the cause and start making corrections. An instructor can determine which cues Goldie understands and can teach you how to apply them properly.
Until you find an appropriate instructor to work with, you might try making friends with Goldie rather than having him associate you only with having to do work. When you go into the pasture to catch him, drape a lead rope and halter around your shoulders (don’t hold any part of it in your hands) and bring a treat – a carrot, apple, or handful of grain. When he comes up to get the treat, pet him, talk sweetly to him, and turn around and leave. That’s it. Do that several days in a row, and Goldie will get the idea that approaching you brings him only good things – a treat and affection. After a few days (or however long it takes) when he’s coming up to you readily, do the same thing, but while you’re petting him, slip the lead rope from your shoulders around his neck and quietly put on his halter. Lead him to your work area and groom him. Then put him back in the pasture. DON’T ride him! Do that for several more days. Now you’ve taught Goldie that not only does seeing you mean treats and affection, it means a nice relaxing grooming as well. You’re making friends. Hopefully, before long, you’ll be able to catch him easily in the pasture and take him out for rides without him dreading your appearance at the pasture gate.