Problems with BB

[Cremello]

I don't know if this is quite the right forum, but anyhow...

Whenever I take Blackberry inside the school, he fights me. He is very strong, and does what he wants most of the time. I have trouble getting him to listen to me, and he's difficult to keep going. Whenever we go past the gate, he tries to head over to it and it's really hard to turn him away. Sometimes when he's at the other side of the school he'll wheel around and trot/canter to the gate.

Some of this sounds like basic respect issues to me, but I think the going-to-the-gate thing is out of fear. If I'm leading him away from his field, he'll constantly stop and a won't move, and there's no point using force on him at all. He just gets more upset and stands firmer. I've tried stepping from left to right in front of him, and back again, and that sometimes lifts the opposite shoulder into action, but not always. It really seems like he's frightened and wants to go back to the safety of his paddock. Of course, I could be reading him wrongly. Still, I want to overcome these problems, as it's kind of get frustrating and it upsets me to have to fight him every step of the way in the school, and to see him all stressed.

[Monka]

Is it possible that he is ring sour? What kind of training do you do with him? Do you only ride in the arena or do you do any other type of work or fun stuff with him, eg trail riding, round penning, etc.? Maybe if you vary your program a little bit and give him more days off he might come around. It's hard to say without knowing the details. Maybe he is heardbound? Fill us in a little more and maybe we could offer some more help.

[Cremello]

Well, we go on trail rides, and he sometimes gets lunged by his owner. He does get days off, his owner/I can't ride him every day, though she tries to because he gets overweight easily. We don't have a roundpen... <_< You're right, maybe varying his program a little would help! I'm riding him today so I'll try a few different things...

More details..hmm... I'm sorry I'm so useless, but I really don't have a clue. What kind of details? ( to me...)

I haven't been in the horsey world that long, I'm still kind of a newbie. What's heardbound? (apologizing again for my general lack of knowledge!)

[naughty]

I definately agree that it is a respect issue. Whenever my horse is introduced to a new arena he always remembers how he got in there and knows how to get back out. When hes under saddle the first time in a new arena I just send him really forward past the out gate and it only takes 2-3 trys and then thats it. He is fine after that. When you are leading your horse and he pulls that kind of stuff, try swinging your lead rope back and tapping him on the butt with it or bring a crop out with you and gently tap him on the butt to urge him forward and if that doesn't work tap him a bit harder. He is probably just testing you to see what he can get away with. Don't put up wiht it. Good luck.

[Cremello]

Thanks naughty! Very helpful... I spoke to a lady at the stables where he is and she said the same thing. Respect. She told me to carry a crop and just tickle him a little to get him to go forward on the ground. (I'd like to sort things out on the ground first, so hopefully this will lead to a better response with riding!)

Thanks very much all, will letcha know how it goes!