Riding calmly and positively past other horses - how?When I am out riding, I have to go past a field with 3 other horses in. My gelding always seems to be edgy and fidget when I go past if they are near the fence and sometimes he even stops altogether. I nearly always hack out out on my own so this is a problem as I don't have a companion to take the lead. I have owned him for 3 years and keep him in a field near my house. Other than that he is a gem to ride. Can you help please? Jayne Hi Jayne, If your horse is kept alone in your field he may be getting excited when he sees other horses because he is wanting to make friends. Horses are herd animals and whilst they can get accustomed to living alone, they much prefer company. Is there someone else who could share your field perhaps? If not, we would suggest leading him past the field several times from the ground to let him know that whilst it's ok for him to make friends with them, that you are the leader and if you want him to go past he must listen. As you approach the field, keep a good contact on your reins, sit up, squeeze with your legs and look forward so he feels your body language is "go" rather than "stop".
Heap loads of praise on him when he does as you ask. If they are any mares in the field this may be a distraction to him even though he is not a stallion! Be firm but positive with him but I would continue to go past there as often as you can to keep him accustomed to seeing other horses. Thanks from the team at Total-Horse-Expert.com
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If he wants to stop or change direction, try asking him to do small circles then move forward. The more he is concentrating on what you are asking the less attention he will have on the other horses.
