Every time I try to get on her she rears and bucks, even if someone has ahold of her while I try
Answers:
start from the beginning. she needs to be lunged on a line everyday for a minimum of 30 mintues a day(with or without tack). Do this for atleast 2-4 weeks. Start with ground work and make sure she is listening to you. You may want to consider getting a driving harness so you can work on direction, collection, and just to get her listening to you over all. I would continue this until you feel comfortable with her respect and attentiveness. Try mounting her with someone there on a lunge line. For the first week or so that you start riding I would suggest a lunge line before you start going on your own. If this does not work you might want to look into the possibility that your horse has cold back. After not being ridden for so long its a possibility that the condition has developed all it is, is the stiffening of the back(just like when you wake up in the morning and you feel stiff) the horses way of stopping the problem is getting you off. The solution for this is pretty simple. Put the horses saddle on in the stall and leave her to stand for 30-45 minutes girthing her up slowly in the process. After the time that works well for your horse has passed take her out and lunge her on a line until she seems warm and limber. It is a time consuming process but it honestly does work one of my horses has it and it is something that is easily treatable and it slowly starts to go away with constant everyday handling. Even if you don't ride and just lunge with the saddle will help TONS!
I had the same problem with my horse. I had to break him at 11 and boy it was a hassle. First of all go to the vet and rule out any back problems-- since you mentioned he was older he could have some joint problems or the beginning of arthritis-- maybe thats why he hasn't been ridden? Second you may want to try a different bit like a tom thumb or a kimberwick(e)-- Martingales are always helpful too- since they really stop the horse from rearing.
I can't really help you out much since you were pretty vague in your question. Please include some more info and i'd be happy to help!
try ground driving her in a round pen. you might also want to lunge her in the round pen untill she is pretty tired before you try to get on. always have someone with you in case of accidents.
Has the vet ruled out injury or arthritis? She sounds like she's in pain. If the vet says she's good to go, try using saddle bags with weights while working her in a round pen. A pair of 8 or 10 pound bags of cat or dog food (not horse feed!) on either side work fine. Increase the weight by about 10 pounds a week for a few weeks, up to about 60 pounds. Once she gets used to weight again, then try mounting again. If she has back problems or continues to refuse a rider, you might try training her to drive.
I would start over again. Begin with the ground work on long lines. When you are ready to mount, after a couple of weeks...or sooner make her tired before you mount up. Some good, long and hard trail rides might be good for her, if you feel it's safe enough. If she still bucks and rears have a vet check her out. You'll need to rule out EPM too. It could also be your saddle.
Is the bucking and rearing why she wasn't ridden for the past 3-4 years? If so the answer will be different than if it's a "new" problem. If it's "new", I'd start by having a vet take a look and make sure she hasn't developed arthritis or any chiropractic issues due to being out of shape and unridden for a few years. If her behavior is why she was "put to pasture" before, you've got a lot more work ahead of you. I would talk to your vet, farrier, friends, etc and see if they know if anyone in the area who's experienced with restarting horses. This is a horrible forum for giving advice on training systems, and based on your question and the sounds of what you've tried to help with the bucking and rearing, it seems like you're going to need a whole training system, not just a few tips or tidbits for a single behavior. I personally use natural horsemanship and find that it works wonderful for training/re-training older or problem horses. Best of luck in either scenario :)
I'd hire a professional, like a cowboy type who specializes in starting horses. If they can get the horse started right it's well worth the money.
sure this isn't the reason she hasn't been ridden in 3-4 years? if she was truly broken, I am very suprised, but every time she rears an bucks and you stop trying to get on her, you reinforce the behavior, so if you aren't sure what to do--I say don't do it yourself. Get a professional, or someone experienced and not easily intimidated. Personally, I would possibly tie her up short in a safe spot, and mount her there, where she can't get enough space to rear and buck, after making sure my tack wasn't rubbing her and hurting her anywhere. Then I would sit on her and talk calmly to her til she settled down. Then dismount, and do it all over again til she lets you do it without a struggle. Then try it again without her being tied. good luck!
Sometimes it ios a matter of trust and respect. The horse needs to trust you and get used to you before you can just jump on him and ride again. Chances are the horse feels he has all of the freedom in the world ans doesn't need to work since he hasn't been ridden in a while. I would start out with some of the Parelli games from natural horsemanship. I do this with every horse I train and it makes things go comparably smoother than before I began using it.
The horse has already been trained he just doesn't remember. the easiest way, if not the most comfortable, is to just get in the saddle and hold on. It may be quite a ride but it will pay off. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, let me know.
you need to start at the begining like you would if she had never been rode before.
Lung her first or turn her out for about 30 minutes before saddling her up, after you've given her some exercise saddle her up, and go back for another 10/15 minutes, you shouldn't have to do this forever, I had a timid rider as a client of mine, her horse was just too spunky for her, after doing this the horse was a lot mellower and eventually they built up each others confidence and could work together. If the problem persists, just keep exercising her until you are able to mount her safely, then just keep your ride short, eventually you won't have to do this.
I had the problem with my horse. I trained her for 1 year
okay she is 15 and I walk and trot heron the halter.
try to sit on her/him. and have someone else lead you around.
then the next day ,try to put a saddle on her/him. lead her/him around for a couple of days. then move on.
Patience Patience Patience. Start slow just like you would a colt. Don't rush. They are never to old to learn.
lunge her for a wile
i just did this with my 9 yo. he was a "problem" horse when i bought him. i did alot of ground work with him. lunging and ground driving for about a week or 2. then i would lunge him out for about 10 - 15 minutes and then ride him at a walk and go from there. i just did this with my horse not to long ago and im already retraining him for jumping.
first and foremost it sounds like she may have some discomfort so before you do anything else get her back checked out - and then go back to basics - start on the ground and treat her as if she has never been backed. be kind and re-educate her.
good luck
x
i am not sure on that one i would say put a saddle on her hop on and hold on for dear life or take it real slow and gainher trust
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