I ride a 24 yo QH. She is a decent ride in the ring and good ground manners. I ride her using a bareback saddle and a bit less bridle. All that said, when I take her on a trail ride we never get far without a lot of "fighting". I walk her to the beginning of the trail and the second I start to get on her she is already turning around wanting to go home. I usually can get her pointed back down the trail and going but she is so reluctant. She keeps trying to turn towards home and I end walking her from the ground most of the trail. When I allow her to turn towards home, she flies home and I have to hold her back. What can I do to help her enjoy and want to go out on a trail ride?
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Hi Joy,
just a thought, if she is barefoot, would it be possible the ground may be a bit hard?
I have a TB who is barefoot and he doesn't enjoy trail rides on hard or rocky ground. He'd rather walk on the bitumen, sand and grass.
As he has weird feet, I was unable to find him a pair of boots that fitted him, maybe you could try with your mare?
Joy, you didn't mention if you are taking your horse by yourself, or going with others. I feel the best way to acclimate a horse to the trail is to go with a seasoned trail horse. That horse will give your horse a lot of confidence.
that's a good suggestion Collier :)
Hi Joy
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Just a thought, would the techniques used in Walter Wont Go Forward help once any physical causes have been eliminated??Also, in the Walter video Monty Roberts mentioned that getting off the horse at some point facing away from home and leading him or her back makes being away from home a good place too as rest has come because the rider is off the horse's back.
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Maybe ride a little down the trail, stop when going well and get off and lead your horse back home?? School with the dually halter to keep the horse in the "sweet spot" at your shoulder perhaps?
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I don't know, just a thought.. Going with others is also a good idea :-)
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See you later,
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Gen
Thanks everyone...that all helps me. Collier, I do go out with another horse and cass, she is barefoot and I didn't even think of that. Gen, I will try the techniques of "Walter Won't Go Forward". At the time I didn't have the equipment but I do now. Also, thanks for the reminder of getting off when its going well.
Thanks again! Your replying thoughts are so appreciated! If nothing helps I will just enjoy her in the ring where she's happiest!
Let us know how you go :)