My horse won't let me ride her

by Pigwings

Hi! I have a problem! So, today I went to go ride my horse. But when I walked up to her she whinnied and took off and tried to buck at me, so I put down her tack and I tried to walk up to her again but she still ran, acting like I was going to hurt her.

So, I waited for a while and tried again.*without the tack* And she did the same thing. I can't figure out the problem. I could use some good advice!!

She also throws up her head and tosses it. She won't let me get near her with tack either. The last time I rode her was double back and it was a few days ago. She tossed her head a little that time too when I walked up to her with her tack. But she did let us ride her but today she won't let me get near. Please HELP!

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Oct 10, 2021
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:)
by: Anonymous

Hello, so just to help, do some groundwork exercises with your horse. Keep her feet moving, and then give her a break. Then, lead her around and let her know she can trust you. Feed her a titbit, but make sure you don't do it to often or she'll get bossy and bite you. Pat her and praise her, and maybe think of what you might have done to upset her?

I ride absurd horses all the time so I hope this helps :)

May 26, 2019
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Info... hope its going well....
by: K Clarkson Fan

I do not agree with Mary Ashley at all....

So first I hope you were able to ride your horse. :)

Second, do not give your horse treats any time she behaves.... It's fine once in a while. But if you give the horse treats every time they will expect it, and will nip and stuff......

Just some info

Sorry if I offended!

Dec 31, 2018
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Its okay!
by: Mary Ashley

It's okay! I ride an abused horse named Thalia. Its pronounced Talea. But Thalia has serious trust issues. Because she was abused for six years. I would say for you to take it slow and maybe approach slowly and with a mint or treat in your hand. Don't approach from behind!

Watch your horse's ears and legs. Also their tails.

Don't ride her/him for the first few weeks. Just spend time.

With my cat, when we first got her, she wouldn't come out from under the bed for seventeen whole days! I sat there. All of those days. I only slept, and ate. Nothing else.

Now i can do anything with her. She lays on top of me and loves me. So just take it slow. Just groom her and spend time with her.

Also give her treats when she behaves. Because sometimes when people give horses treats when they don't behave, they think they did something good. Like dogs. So take it slow and spend time with your horse. Watch their ears, eyes, tail, legs, and mouth. And good luck!

- Mary Ashley

May 27, 2018
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WHAT??!!
by: pigwings

So, I asked my sister to help with my horse. It's been weeks since I rode and my sister has been and working with her. Well, I was sitting in the house eating ice cream for our uncle's birthday when my sister came in saying that eclipse the horse that I couldn't even get near is riding! Ali said that she can walk, trot, stop, and is working on canter!!! It's nuts!!! And the CRAZY part about it is, is that my sister is 10 years old!!!!!

Peppyandstardust,
Thank you for training my horse! I love you and I consider you a horse whisperer! Thanks a lot!!!

May 16, 2018
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Great to hear she’s doing better!
by: Ellin

Wow I’m so glad she’s getting better! And yes indeed God does have a plan for every one of His children! Ever since then, every time I go on a ride, before I start, I pray for His protection over me. I know He hears, and I haven't been hurt or even fallen off since then. God IS good!

May 14, 2018
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thanks!
by: pigwings

Thanks so much, Ellin! Ok, my sister has been working with her and she is getting better! I really appreciate all the answers! I really am glad you didn't get more hurt! God MUST have a plan for your life! I'm so thankful you found my story and helped me! Thank you so much!

May 14, 2018
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Don’t ride her yet!
by: Ellin

Please do not ride her again until you've gained her respect. This sounds like a real problem (or at least on in the making) and she could get or even already be very dangerous.

I’ve dealt with bucking horses before and once got a slight concussion from being bucked off of one. This is NOT something to take lightly. If you can’t train her yourself, which in fact may be the case, then get an experienced person to help. But by all means get it fixed.

Don’t just sit back hoping the problem will pass because all you’ll be doing is letting it get bigger. Well I hope this helps. If you have ANY questions and I mean ANY, please send em on to me.

May 12, 2018
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I dont know
by: pigwings

No, she doesn't flinch. I don't think she is in pain anywhere but she does sometimes have hoof problems where she would trip or limp for some reason. We looked at her hoofs and they look fine.

So, I tried to get on the other day with no tack and she freaked out. She was going to buck so I jumped off. Then I tried with a halter and lead rope and Ali holding her but she put her ears back and was going to buck again.

PLEASE help me! She was a really good horse 2 months ago. Please help!

May 10, 2018
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pigwings
by: Anonymous

The only thing that I can think of is when I last rode her we rode double back and she didn't really like it. Also, she has been kinda having hoof problems. There are times where she would all of a sudden trip or stumble. Any ideas what that's about? No signs of pain or injury other than her hooves. Thanks for all the info!

May 10, 2018
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a respect problem
by: Ellin

Hey, I think if you have ruled out all the other possibilities (of health issues, tack problems, etc.) then its time for you to get out there and gain her respect!

I've had hard-to-catch horses a lot in the past (and am actually working on one right now), and always in the end it turns out to be a respect problem.

And also, if you're worried your horse is harking to the past (perhaps a traumatizing thing), let that fear rest assured, horses don't hold the past, people are the ones that hold them there.

So I'm saying treat your horse like a normal horse and it will act like one. Its worked for me every time, it should work for you :]

Now I don't even know if your horse had a bad past but if it does that would apply :]

So about gaining her respect, if you have a round pen, look up Clinton Anderson training a rescue horse on Youtube and watch the fist part of the series and follow it. If you do not have a round pen then go to his other video, once bitten twice shy, that should help you be able to catch your horse at least.

And finishing up, I want to say, GET THIS FIXED! Disrespect will turn into aggression eventually and then it will be very hard and dangerous to fix.

May 09, 2018
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Maybe this can help
by: Hazel

She could be hurt or sick. If you rescued her from an abuser she could be remembering something about the abuser, maybe something on the tack, or a smell.

May 08, 2018
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Ask for help
by: Pony mad

Ask an experienced person for help.

Apr 25, 2018
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HOPE THIS HELPS
by: HORSE CRAAZY

If you can get near her, pet her. When you pet her does she flinch? If she does, she's trying to tell you she's sore.

Apr 25, 2018
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Some Things To Consider
by: Hopeless Country Girl

Here are some questions you can answer (don't have to comment on here) that may help you find the culprit.

Has anyone besides yourself been near your horse lately? If so, did they injure or frighten her in any way?

How long ago did you acquire the horse? If it isn't long ago, she could have had faulty training, and it is showing up early on in your ownership of her.

Has she showed any signs of discomfort? If so, maybe you could see if she'll let you approach her with a brush. Running it over her body will most likely let you know what the problem is, as she'll let you know if it is uncomfortable for you to touch an area of her body.

Does she have something in her hooves? Horses hooves collect all kinds of junk. It would be good practice to check or clean her hooves out every time you ride or work with her.

From the information you have given, there are a few options that stand out to me, though I am no pro. Does she play around in her pasture/paddock/pen? If so, you could try to remember if she was playing around the last few days. She could have slipped and injured her back or sprained a muscle.

If she allows you to approach her, you could check for any signs of swelling or heat on her body. (which usually indicates an injury)

Have her teeth been floated or checked recently? She could be feeling discomfort from a tooth that needs floated, and when you bridled her, the bit could have agitated the tooth.

Another option to consider is the tack. Make sure your saddle fits her well, and it's not pinching on her withers. It might help to supply a picture of her with tack on, though if you don't have it, that is okay too. On the bridle, the bit could be too severe or heavy. If you got her recently, you could try contacting the former owner and seeing what type of bit they used on her.

She could also be cinchy. When you saddle, try tightening the cinch in increments. You could loosely cinch her up the first time and then walk her around, or bridle her, then tighten it a little more, walk her around or work on something else for a little while, then come back and tighten it completely. This usually cures a cinchy horse, as it could be the discomfort from being cinched up so quickly that causes her to misbehave.

Anyway, I hoped those help. As I said, I'm no pro, so if the problem persists, it would be wise to take her to a vet or have one come out to check on her.

Apr 24, 2018
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Some Ideas
by: HorseGirl

Something you have might scare her. Try to approach her calmly and make soft noises. Also, try to tempt her with a treat.

Apr 24, 2018
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maybe
by: pigwings

Ya, she acts fine tho. She runs around fine. But about a month ago she had a miscarriage with a baby mule. But I don't know whether or not that would cause it. Because after, I rode her and she was fine.

Apr 23, 2018
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health problem or training problem?
by: Sydney from HorseCrazyGirls.com

I'm no expert but if she let you ride her before I am wondering if she has some kind of health problem ...? I wonder if something is hurting.

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