Dear Midnight,

I can’t get a horse, but I want one bad. When I go riding, I always end up getting a stubborn horse. I’ve only ridden like, 4 or 5 times. How can I prevent getting a stubborn horse? If I do, what can I do to make it behave?

From,

StuckWithStubborn

Dear StuckWithStubborn,

I hate to say this but it could be that you might be at the wrong stable. You didn’t mention anything about the riding stable you are at. Often riding stables have horses that are just for schooling (teaching lessons). Often, these horses are stubborn or lazy, not the perfect horses. But, they have to put up with all levels of riding, from lead line or cantering fences. With all these different riders they are put into bad habits sometimes. And because schooling horse are ridden by many different people and are often taught bad habits by inexperienced riders, maybe you should try finding a new stable with more cooperative horses that suit your level of riding.

As for the getting a horse issue, I feel your pain. I bet you are responsible and a experienced horse-person, but horse are wicked expensive and a huge commitment. Parents and guardians don’t mean to be mean, but just think about the costs, etc. This is why many people do not have horses.

From,

Midnight

Dear Midnight,

My boarder's horse always have the wrong leads in her canter and she will ask her to change multiple times but she wont, so then I will get on and I can change them fairly easily. We are using the same signals, pressure, we weigh the same and have very similar voices. how can i get the horse to respond better to her owner?

From,

Wanna'Lead'TheRightWay

Dear Wanna'Lead'TheRightWay,

Even though you are using the same technique for changing leads, your strengths and riding styles are probably very different.

You have said that you both ride English and that comfort probably isn't the problem. There is a small possibility that maybe the tack size is incorrect, or something like that. Even though you said that the horse still picked up the lead with you, it is always good to be safe than sorry.

Any who, to ask a horse for a canter you sit very tall, lift your outside rein slightly for support, pull your inside rein back, keep your outside leg for support, and squeeze with your inside leg. It may very well be that the horse isn't cooperating with the girl (the owner) because maybe she is small and cannot feel her inside leg, which she must be squeezing very hard, and the horse gets confused.

Another possibility may be that the girl isn't being stern or strong enough with the horse. In the past, I had a small problem with the leads for a short time, but once I really got stern & tough and figured out EXACTLY what I needed to do my problem was fixed. Also, remind her to sit during the transition and squeeze that inside leg like crazy. She probably just needs to be clear to the horse.

It also might be a behavior problem. Maybe the horse knows it can get away with things like that with its owner, I'm not sure. But then again that leads back to being tough. Perhaps you and the girl should try having different people ride the horse to see if he responds, or lunging it. Good luck!

From,

Midnight

Dear Midnight,

What breeds are the best for Show Jumping and dressage?

From,

Jumper&DressageLuver

Dear Jumper&DressageLuver,

Some great Dressage choices are Warmbloods or Anglo Arabians, just from experience or in my opinion. Some great Show Jumpers have been said to be Arabians, Thoroughbreds, or Trakehners. Arabians have great potential, though they are hard to handle. Many horses do great in all disciplines.

I hope my input helped! If you are looking to buy a horse for these disciplines, I would look at all breeds. Each horse is different, and may be amazing at something that it's breed usually isn't.

From,

Midnight

Dear Midnight,

I just got a miniature pony he has a biting and a head butting problem and he’s very flighty He moves his head real fast when your about to pet him but besides that when im walking him he’s good I have no clue what to do with him and his biting and head butting problems. Do you have any advice on what I should to?

From,

HeadButting&Bitting=HELP!

Dear HeadButting&Bitting=HELP!,

Well, his previous owners may have made him uncomfortable. And as for the petting, he may just be head shy. I know lots of horses that are.

As for the butting and biting, every time he tries to bite you, you need to tap his neck hard and scold him. When he does not bite, you can reward him by doing whatever he likes best (only give treats every while, not each time he behaves). Some ponies can be stubborn, and it looks like your pony just needs to learn manors. Also, never hit him on the nose, this could lead to even further head shyness.

And as for the head butting, you might be able to try and push his neck away to prevent that. Or try to teach him a lesson. He might learn better if you get an experienced trainers help, and give you advice. It all depends on the pony, so make sure you ask someone who knows your pony. He is either stubborn, just needs to learn his manors, or is used to being handled or kept differently (which of course you cant do anything about that but train him out of that). You need to be the boss.

From,

Midnight

Dear Midnight,

I am planning on buying a filly and raising it, but I can’t seem to find out when I can start breaking it. I know some people say at about 2 yrs. old, but then I read that that was to early. So what is the best age to start breaking your horse to ride?

From,

WhatYear?

Dear WhatYear?,

In my opinion 3-4 years is a good time. This is when a horse matures. 2-3 is still a little early.

3-4 years is the time when most horses have reached their full height; and their legs have grown.

This is a problem with racehorses. They are broke so young that when they’re out on the track and they fall their legs break because they’re so fragile and were forced to be grown in, but they’re actually very weak. Remember to be careful when training a horse, though. Some horses can be high-strung and hard to handle in their early years. It just depends on your horse. Good luck!

From,

Midnight

Dear Midnight,

My horse (Just A Lil Nutty) is the sweetest thing ever but when i have a crop he seems to get jumpy. He hasn’t been abused (I have had him my whole life) so i have no idea why. So one day i introduced him to it by letting him sniff it, eye it and just look at it. He seemed fine for a while but when i brought out another crop he started acting up again! So I introduced it to him again! But he tried to bite me when i dismounted! I have to use my crop because he doesn’t respond to any of my other signals and he wont jump other wise, I even tried dismounting and free jumping him with just a halter at the top over a 6 inch jump and he wouldn’t go! What should i do??

From,

Dear, ItsJustACrop!,

Dear ItsJustACrop!,

I would suggest looking way back into your horse's past, but you have said that he hasn't been abused and you have had Lil Nutty your whole life, so thats out of the question.

I would like to say that you have been very smart, it sounds, in your training. But there has to be a reason why your horse doesn't like crops.

You said that he is used to the crop. That may or may not be true. Do everything interactive with the crop. Let your horse know that it shouldn’t be afraid. Perhaps have Nutty see another horse's reaction to a crop. Sounds tacky, but worthy a shot.

Maybe you should try spurs. Crops can be scary to some horses, and maybe something different would help. I know that spurs might be scary too, but if you just have very small ones that all they do is increase the impact on your kicks, maybe Nutty will respond.

I also suggest checking the tack. This may sound funny but perhaps it is not the crop at all. You have said that Nutty behaves when you do not have a crop, but I really do not know your circumstances.

And if the jumpiness isn't that bad, then work through it with him. Try lunging him with a crop or small whip. After he seems used to it, you can ride him.

At first I suggest using it as scares as possible only when you absolutely need it; or maybe don’t even use it at all.

I hope my suggestions help and let me know if you need anything else or more tips!

From, Midnight