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Horse will not work with out pasture/stable mate

20 17:20:08

Question
QUESTION: I have just started riding a 6 year 16.0 hand Paint quarter horse which at some point in the last three years had some training in another state for western show and pleasure. I am the first rider on this horse since it bucked off the owner and sent the owner to the hospital last July (2011)
If I have the pasture mate being ridden next to her she will move out ok and even lead out. If I do not have the other horse, she will lock up and refuse to move out at all. I am thinking I need to separate the two horses for a few days and see if I can get her to move out on her own.
I have had her on her first trail ride and was able to get her past streams and other barriers ok, but it seems she is very insecure and wont work with out seeing the other horse.

ANSWER: If you isolate the horse you will increase her fear and only cause the horse to not want to leave her stall or area.  The horse is telling you that it is not confident or ready to follow you off alone. You would be better to take her out with the other horse so she can build her confidence and then work up to taking her out alone.

This is a common mistake, pushing a horse that is scared or nervous and trying to fix that by hiding or isolating the horse.  You will create more  problems by doing this and make make bigger problems later.

Somehow, I think it does not matter what anyone tells you, you seem to think you know what you are doing, this horse is telling you and me that you do not.  I always listen to the horse.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the information and quick reply. I hope I did not sound arrogant in stating what I thought would work. I appreciate your advice and will just continue to use the other mare along side her for a while.  
My next question is then how do I keep them both moving out if I am riding alone and the mare I am riding just stops and refuses to move out? It also happens even if the other mare is being ridden by someone else. I know I am not an "expert rider" but I think I am at least average.
Thanks for your help I do appreciate it. My Father taught me that if a horse balked or refused to work, there was something I was doing wrong, and I believe that. I just needed to know what I might be doing wrong.  thanks again!lolpt

ANSWER: No sweat, I am just so used to people arguing and not listening that I get a little hard.

Forward movement is normally a lack of clear direction or the horse does not know it has to do it or is confused. Unless the horse move during ground work very easy then you should not be asking under saddle. So the horse should know what verbal commands of walk, trot and canter, the horse should know that when asked to do those things if the horse does not respond it gets pressure and more pressure until it move.

You are not being consistent and have not taught the horse. If the horse knew you would not have this problem. I have over 400 videos and a 500 page web site, the horse is not the problem, you do not understand why this is happening and I cannot give you an answer in an email when it takes 400 videos and 500 page web site.

If you took the time to watch the videos and read the site you would not be asking me this, you would know the answer, you would know how to prevent this and would know how to fix it. You are looking for a fast and easy answer and there is not one.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the information. No I have not read your website, I did not even know of it until now. I was asking around to people I know of someone they would reccomend when I was given your name on the all expert website. I will be visiting your site and reading your info and checking out your videos. I simply had not heard of you until this afternoon.

I did not do any of the ground work on this horse,I have only ridden the horse three times, I am literally going in blind as far as what this horse knows. The owner of the horse is an 82 year old man who just wants the horse to be able to be ridden. It seems as if what I am being told the horse knows and what is reality are two different things.  I think you have hit it on the head with the comment about ground work.

And NO, I am not just looking for a quick and easy answer, I want the right answer no matter if it takes time. I am more than willing to spend the time it takes to get it right. I have been through several books and dozens of videos, but have been getting basically three completely different sets of advice from what is considered to be repected horsemen.

I have to look at what they all are saying and reason it all out an make the best choice for the horse. That is what I am trying to do.

Thankyou again for your help,I do appreciate it

Answer
My first rule of horses: Never believe anything anyone tells you about a horse.

When I said listen to the horse, I think you confirmed that the horse was screaming I am not ready, I don't understand, I need help, don't make me I am insecure...  all reasonable things for a horse to say.  :)