Spinning

Question
I have a 17 year old Gated horse. He name is Freckals.I have had her for about a 2 years or so. She did perfectly fine the first year and a half. But now i cant do anything more then trot her. When i try she just starts spinning, with no warning. She has thrown me and my friend at least 6 time already. I don't know how to break her from it. She is healthy as can be she doesn't have foot or leg problems. I just don't know what is wrong with her. My grandpa has been riding and breaking horses his whole life and he cant even break her. She has never minded her bit and the saddle fits her fine. She has been a well trained horse also very obedient. I need so advice on how to fix this problem
Thankyou!
-Allie

Answer
Hi Allie!

You said "She did perfectly fine the first year and a half."  So, I assume that means she did anything you chose to do and she obeyed all requests.  But, now she won't obey an upward transition request to a canter....something very simple and something she obviously knows how to do....because she did it before with no issues.

I think she is messing with you.  Older horses sometimes come to the conclusion the rider is weak in the saddle so...they get them off.  It is a dominance thing.  She feels dominant to you so why should she do as you ask?  In the herd, a dominant mare would NEVER listen to or do anything for a lesser horse.  She would lunge, bite and kick at them to show them who is boss and get her own way....and most importantly...be left alone.  Just like an older sister being pestered by a younger brother.  The sister (who is more dominant) would chase him away by threatening him....and then go on to do what she wants in peace and quiet....right??

So, basically your mare wants to be left alone to do as she pleases and does not feel it is important to obey you...there are no consequences to her bad actions.  You get thrown off, you put her away and she gets left alone to eat or graze or whatever she wants to do.

What to do?  Become a better, more educated rider.  Do not underestimate the importance of formal lessons.  Learn to listen to a horse and anticipate what they are going to do so you may stop it and keep riding.  If you were a better rider, you would see that she was just about to spin and keep her from doing it, harshly correct her for trying such nonsense and then force her to continue to ride and perform a correct upward transition.

This is your issue...not the mare's.  You must correct yourself first with proper riding skills and then you will see this mare will do all you request.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange