Horse help

[mod93dirt]

Hey all. I am pretty green when it comes to horses and was wondering if anyone here could offer some help. I am plenty comfortable riding horses, but don't know much about training them. I recently acquired two recuse horses, 12 and 13 yo TB's. They were in pretty sad shape when I got them but are now nice and fat so I am starting to ride them. These two horses had been together for the last 6 years. My problem is that when my wife and I ride them together, they are both aboslute dreams to ride. They will do anything we want. However, if I take one out by itself to ride they are the most stubborn things in the world. All they want to do is head back to the barn, to get back to the other horse it seems like. I got these horses in the hopes of being able to hunt off of them, but obviously cant ride both at the same time. Any ideas or suggestions on getting these horses a little more independent. I have tried turning one out, while leaving the other in the barn, but the turned out horse always stays close to the barn to be near the other horse. And when turned out, its out there with 12 other horses, so its not like its all by itself. When both are turned out, they both stick together away from the other horses. I am at a loss of what to do here, hoping someone here can off me some help so I can have a good horse to ride. Thanks


Brandon

[hillbilly]

Just keep riding it and don't let them do what they want. It will eventually get out of it.

[TinyTexasCowgirl]

Bud, Here is something to think about.. As silly as it sounds, Those two have been quite an ordeal together from what it sounds like, so they may never completely get out of it. But, here is what I do with buddy sour horses.

You and your wife ride together. At some point, seperate. When they settle down, join back up. Do this for short distances first, and then longer, and then longer and then longer.

IMO, it is easiest if you can find a BIG pasture.

Dunno where you live at, but if it's close to Waco, Houston, or Dallas, next time I am in that area, I would be happy to come and help you a little. Just PM me.

[craig]

Brandon
 thats a common problem with horses that have been together a long time. some are worse than others. i dont think you will break them from it completely .   you can probly take one horse load it up and go hunting with other horses or by your self and be okay.     like said just keep riding them apart, might get better with time.  

 

[Circle C]

Make being together more trouble for them than being apart. If you are near the other horse, tinker with the one you are on. Make him work, etc. When you ride away, let him have a break.  Same deal about the barn, tie him short in his stall with just a water bucket, don't feed him in the barn...make the barn a place he does not want to be.
You will see a difference. May never be the horse you want, but he will improve over time.

[aladatrot]

I made my living on Arabian and half Arabian show horses, and thoroghbreds aren't too far off from them.

Any horse is going to ask you a question when you tell him to do something. A quarter horse is going to ask you "should I do it like this, or like this?". An Arab or a thoroughbred is going to ask a question, but his question is going to be "why?". It's up to you to explain to the horse why he should do what you have asked. The best way to get this point across to him is to let him see that he needs to do what you asked of him because it is easier on him than the alternative.

In your situation with a buddy sour horse, I would make it work for the two horses to be near each other. Anytime they are ridden together, make them trot circles. Circles and circles and circles. Eventually, their legs and lungs are going to explain to their heads that being together is hard work, and they need to seek a rest. I would take them apart to allow a rest. If they balk, allow them to return to one another's company, but once again make it work for them to be together. Trot more circles and more circles. Separate them again, and allow a rest. Eventually, their legs and lungs will talk them into being just fine apart. Thoroghbreds can be stubborn, so be patient. Don't get upset, just repeat the excersise as needed.

No method works on 100% of horses. If this doesn't work after a week of this process, may need to re evaluate the situation. However, this is a good method to start with. Don't heat stroke them, but make them really work hard.

Cheers
M

[aladatrot]

Yep, circle c posted up at the same time I did...

Cheers
M

[SCHitemHard]

i ended up riding a horse with its buddy on the other side of the fence, each time i turned to walk back i would trail farther away from the fence.

in your case, you could always "pack" the horse and it could be useful in the field

[Silverton Boar Dogs]

Your horse is buddy sour not barn sour as you have suspected.

First thing to do is load one up and haul it to a place where the horse can't see the barn or hear the other horse. You will find out quickly how bad your problem is. In most cases the horse will ride around pretty good and forget about the buddy or barn because its not there to be a distraction. Work them each this way several times and see what you have. If things get better you can work as Mandi has described or you might just send one of them to live someplace else for 6 months and then see how they are.

[kemp]

Make being together more trouble for them than being apart. If you are near the other horse, tinker with the one you are on. Make him work, etc. When you ride away, let him have a break.  Same deal about the barn, tie him short in his stall with just a water bucket, don't feed him in the barn...make the barn a place he does not want to be.
You will see a difference. May never be the horse you want, but he will improve over time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     X2

[mod93dirt]

Thank you for the quick responses everyone. I have a friend coming down this weekend with his horse to see if riding with another horse helps at all. If my horse trails behind another, I would be happy. I will definitely try some of the ideas that have been suggested here. But. hypothetically speaking, if I can't get this issue resolved, what kind of effect do you all think it would have if I got rid of one of the horses all together?  Will the remaining horse be worth a darn? I defintely favor one of the two horses already, and i am not above taking one of them to the ole Parrish horse auction(Craig knows what I am talking about). Would the lone horse get over it, or do you think he would stil be looking for a buddy?

[aladatrot]

Depends on if he is buddy sour (attached to his buddy) or herd bound (just looking for any horse to latch onto). Sometimes you can get the two apart and the one horse will be fine without his friend hollaring and carrying on. That just feeds his fire when his buddy is calling to him.

You have to remember that in horse language, there is safety in numbers. Training them not to be buddy sour and herd bound is essentially un doing what has been imprinted in horses for millenia. That's why it takes patience and an unweilding will to be victorious in the session. Be polite, but firm.
Cheers
M

[Dogojones]

Sounds like you got some good advice. I would take a look at silverton post about hauling one of the horses away and taking a ride. Get the horse out of it's  comfy zone so it has to depend on you. My .02 

[craig]

if you had somewere to leave the horse you are thinking of selling for awhile and see how the other one works out, who knows you might sell the wrong horse