Arab Horse Bad Behavior

Question
Hi,
My daughter who is a very competent 13 year old, was bought an 11 year old gelding arab for Christmas last year. We do not know much about his previous owners, other than he was left in a field by his last owner who felt that she could not ride him as he was very nervous on the road, and very highly strung. My daughter has just started doing shows this year, we hack to the show and he has become very well behaved on the road, though can be spooked by the wind.When she is in the jumping with him he gets very excited and either refuses the jumps or buck and shakes his head,many time throwing her off. also he will just start bucking for no reason and the becomes extremely nervous,he does seem do to be very temperamental, and people just say that this is arabs, but my daughter wants to keep him and be able to work with him how can we combat this behavior. Thanks Pam

Answer
Hi Pam!

I have had many Arabs over the years and have done everything from break a 15 yr. old broodmare Arab to saddle and sell her to a family as a trusted trail horse....to breaking an Arab stallion and keeping him these 8 years.... to working with a 30 yr.old Arab gelding who refused to act any older than a nervous 2 yr. old.

They are generally highly intelligent horses and sometimes that works against them, as they notice everything in their environment and tend to get nervous easily.

What you have described is dangerous situations in which your daughter or the gelding could get hurt.  I am sure she is a ready rider as she has not been scared off riding him yet.  But, this does not mean she understands the breed, it's characteristics and the specific training methods used for this type of horse....she's just too young.

I first recommend she stop attempting to jump him.  He will not magically change into a solid mount for her and start jumping correctly simply because she keeps pushing him to do it.  The same for hacking out on the road...too dangerous with this flighty horse. Her rides with him should be solid ground work in the enclosed arena that is safe and educational for both him and her.

I suggest you speak to your vet, farrier or tack shop and ask them to recommend a local Arab trainer...it is imperative you get an Arab trainer and not any other kind.  A QH guy or a Dressage woman may be too harsh for the delicate temperament of an Arab and could actually make your issues with him worse.

Have the trainer out to evaluate your situation and discuss your daughter's riding goals.  Listen to what he/she says and ask them frankly if he is still a good candidate for such a young rider.  

I cannot tell you how to fix him over the Internet.  There is no magic quick-fix. Training, time and then more training for both the Arab and your daughter are called for here. They need to grow trust and respect for one another so that they may form a real foundation of communication and partnership.

Get her some professional help and ask yourself "Do I really see this gelding making a complete turn-around and becoming the safe and well-behaved mount my daughter can ride to her fullest potential?"  Ask your head and not your heart.

The highest priority here is your daughter's safety and then your gelding's education....they may have to have them apart from each other to really achieve this.  No one is at fault and no one failed.  Sometimes you just can't force a square peg into a round hole.

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

Solange