TB poblems

Question
Hi there.
I have an 8 yr old TB gelding that has been so wonderful and so reliable until recently. I have been riding in an indoor arena, and 90% of the time he has no issues... until other horses come into the ring. Then he seems to get very stiff, haughty, carries his head very high, blocks through his shoulders and makes a virtual "B line" to the other horses. Sometimes I can stop him, but he has been more insistant lately and it takes much more to convince him that he doesn't need to eat the other horses. He seems to do this much worse with ponies. What can I do to desensetize this safely?

Answer
Hello Kyla,
If he is worried about other horses there are several things you can do. I would set up a pen or tie a horse just outside the arena where he can see him. When you are riding him if he is headed toward the horse bump him with your legs and ask him to go more (in control) then when he is headed away from the horse no pressure at all. You want him to decide that when he goes for other horses mom gets big and odd and its not worth it. I would also consider his turnout, who he plays with and what the reason may be he is so defensive. Try this out and let me know if it works out. You could also work him regularly and get him pretty tired and wanting to stop and let him stop next to a pony. If he pins his ears take off to work again, hopefully soon he will think that ponies bring relaxation and full lungs.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress

If you have time please go to www.blackhawkhorses.com. We are trying to get information out about my home barn- and keeping it open since the snow knocked down the arena on Christmas eve.