A Horse's Brain, on Group Rides
Now that our gang of four (Ed, Tank, Riley and I) are back from another edition of the Apalousey benefit ride (see previous posts), I have a few observations and thoughts to share about equine (and human) behavior on such events. Info to be filed for future reference:
* No matter how good your horse is for you at home, or when out on the trail with his buddies from home, he's quite likely to have a few surprises in store for you when he gets out in a group of strange horses for the first time (or two or three). For instance: He may get very riled up, especially at the ride's start, as horses start moving down the trail. He may become almost unmanageable unless he's up at the front of the group. If he's with a familiar horse, he may try to kick or bite any other horses that come near his pal. He may get hysterical if he's not allowed to have his nose right up the butt of the buddy-horse. He may want to "leave town" as you ride through woods or dense brush.
* Why this happens: His herd-animal/prey-animal instincts have kicked in. He's not trying to be an idiot on purpose--he's just trying to survive in the way evolution has programmed him. All those other horses around him constitute a herd on the move. In a moving herd, the ones least likely to be eaten or captured are the ones up at the front. The ones in the back are on some cougar's menu. Surrounded by strange horses whose behavior he can't predict, he feels safest when he's right next to the horse he knows. He wants to defend that horse so he doesn't lose his lone bit of security. As for being spooky while in woods or brush--hey, he can't see the bad guys (the ones with fangs) coming in those areas like he can when he's out in the open.
* The typical means of dealing with a hypered-out horse--jerking, spurring him around in little circles, yelling, maybe even getting off and kicking him in the belly, or whipping him from the ground with the reins (I saw all the above on our weekend ride) do absolutely nothing to calm him down. They just stress him out more, and confirm his suspicion that out on the trail is a bad place to be.
* As far as I know, the rule still holds true: There's a first time for everything, including a horse's experience on rides with unfamiliar horses. The calmer, more patient, and more understanding the rider, the better the horse's chance of learning and accepting that work he's being asked to do. Most horses aren't perfectly calm at their first horse shows, with all the new sights, sounds, and other sensations; trail rides are no different.
* Horses learn from other horses. A good spot for a rider on a young and/or green trail-riding horse is behind a solid, quiet steady-Eddie--not behind one that's scared and halfway out of control. The best way to have a good time out on a group ride is to be a thinking rider who puts herd dynamics to intelligent use.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 1:10 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
"getting off and kicking him in the belly"
Wow. That's a ummm, tactic, I hadn't thought of. :(
Hope the rest of the ride was better. We had an awesome ride down to the river yesterday (check it out on my blog if you like) Complete with galloping down the beach and through the water. And I thought I'd have to go someplace tropical to get the chance to do that.
The rest of the ride was dandy. Good weather, superb food, fun entertainment, etc.
As for the riding, it was pretty much par for the course. No matter what large ride you go on, there's always a percentage of folks doing it for the first time, on horses that are new to it, so you have the element of anxious horses with riders who don't know why the behavior occurs, nor how to cope with it.
Just the way it goes!
You know about the time you think you have covered all the bases with your horse, they can throw a curve at you. About a 1 ½ ago, I bought a calm show horse, took him on several small trail rides and short trips, and thought he and I were ready for a large trail ride (about 300 riders). Man, what a difference, everything that he had done on the small rides were magnified by about 300. Back to work for both of us.
Been there - done that! I hate large rides and refuse to go on them just because of some of the things you mentioned and more. Luckily my horse loves to be in the last place on the trail. She is really good on the trail because I spent a lot of time using Clinton Anderson's methods for trail riding. I found out all the things I had done before were wrong and his methods work so much better.
However, she is still a horse and you never know what will set them off. It is kind of like riding in the practice arena. You have to ride every horse in the arena with your head and eyes and ride yours with your head and legs.
Sounds like a lot of fun, and quite "entertaining". How did your gelding do?
Karen
Hayden Lake, ID
Hi, Karen,
My gelding was splendid about being out on the trail, even though he's quite green at it. He never got anxious or spooky, didn't care if he was with his traveling buddy or not, and was really a delight to ride. He's always been good about being away from the familiarity of home, so I guess he thought going to a horse camp was no different than being at a horse show. Just no roof over his stall!
Can you imagine some idiot doing these things to his car if it stalled and expecting results?
It's amazing that people don't seem to bother to understand the nature of the horse. Horses never lie and what they do ALWAYS makes sense -- to THEM. It just doesn't make sense to US if we don't adequately understand their nature.
In any case, I don't know of ANY situation, with or without horses, where letting yourself get angry, frustrated and impatient is the solution. Do you?
sj
The good news about group rides is that even though horses can tend to get a bit overstimulated, they really benefit from the socialization, physical conditioning, and mental workout that comes along with riding in a large group. Really does take a patient, engaged rider to teach a horse how to control his natural impulses when he's got friends all around and the freedom of the open road. Can be hard to remember that when we want to do is get out on the trail and relax, but well worth the effort!
Very well put, Uptown Filly. Especially the part about how group rides require an ENGAGED rider.
There's just no way to make a good, solid trail horse except to go out and trail ride it. The first few times usually aren't that much fun. But a horse's first shows, or other outings usually aren't all fun and games, either.
Human patience--a very good virtue!
While reading through the posts a quote by David Lee Roth (of Van Halen fame) came to mind...
"the larger the crowd the lower the collective I.Q."
Having been both a show person and an avid trail rider for years you see good and bad in both places. One hopefully learns to ride in both situations with people that 'THINK' rather than react in the saddle.
In my early years of 'community' trail rides I found I was too safety minded to ride with some that showed up for these events, and wound up organizing fun day rides with pot lucks on an invitational basis.
Riders that exhibited safety and thoughtfulness were always welcome even if on green horses. It's amazing how the demeanor of the rides and horses including the green ones calmed down about 10 notches when you have thinking riders.
One of the worst rides I went on was a jackpot poker ride that ended at the local bar for a BBQ and libations. While it sounded like a fun with the neighbors get together, most that showed up were too busy socializing and getting to the next card draw faster than anyone else. Half way through the ride my horse rather abruptly kicked a smaller horse in the chest and dropped him to his knees, then of course MY horse was the bad guy.
It wasn't his fault, after several warnings this gal refused to take heed and trotted all around an continually up behind my horse within striking distance. She ignored my suggestions to give my horse space, his pinned flat ears and wrinkled up nose thinking I was being a stick in the mud. She found out different when she was faced with going end over! I'm sorry it happened but I also learned something very valuable about who I choose to ride with.
Maybe a do's and don't article on group trail riding is in order Julie? Just like there is show ring etiquette there is also one for trail riding.
I have been on trails riding steady eddie horses and had my share of going out on the trails with horses that are green to it. I have also observed the range of responses you mentioned. There is one thing that always seems to stand out as a 'truism', the foundation should be brought along with the horse and leave your ego at home. A green horse with the right foundation and paired with a person who isn't letting their ego rule the day will come thru.
NDonckers
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