Training Tip: Overcoming New Horse Challenges

Question: I was given a 24-year-old Paint mare that has “been there and done that.” I had my vet check her over and she passed his exam with flying colors. I was hoping she’d be a good horse for my granddaughter to learn to ride on. The only problem is she’s awful to be around! It’s like she just doesn’t respect us. She pushes into us, drags the lead rope out of our hands and pretty much does as she pleases. It’s a complete shock to me because I’ve watched this mare around her previous owners and she was an angel. Help! – nistrey

Answer: Unfortunately, you’re learning one of the hard lessons about horsemanship—respect with horses is nontransferable. Just because I have earned a horse’s respect does not mean I can hand him over to you and he will respect you the same way. Each person is responsible for gaining each horse’s respect.

That frustrates many people because they spend a lot of money on a well-trained horse and within six months, the horse acts like he doesn’t know a thing. Horses don’t care how much money they cost, how much money you make or what part of town you live in. Their only concern is that you know the rules of horsemanship.

And the number one rule is: Whoever moves first, loses. If you don’t make your horse move his feet forwards, backwards, left and right and you don’t maintain that respect between the two of you, his behavior will get worse. However, if you maintain that respect and improve upon it, your horse’s behavior will get better. Horses don’t ever stay the same. Every day they either get a little bit better or a little bit worse.

The good news is this mare will probably make a great horse for you and your granddaughter; you just need to earn her respect and prove to her that you’re a worthy leader. You’ll do that by teaching her the Fundamentals level exercises, starting with roundpenning and following the exercises in order. As you’re teaching her the exercises, you’ll learn how to communicate with her and be the leader she needs.

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