AboutAmanda Groff Expertise I can answer any questions about anything. Training in all discipline's, nutrition, riding advice, and buying new horses. Just ask and I got all the answers.
Experience training Thoroughbred racehorses with hall of fame trainer Jack Van Berg, champion barrel racer, assistant vet, training colts for all disciplines. exercise rider on the track for 3 years.Riding instructor for 3 years for English and western. assistant trainer for world class Reinner and trainer of champion Major Sno Chex, Donnie Bricker.
Organizations APHA, California Horse Racing Board,Socal Cowgirls Club,Riverside Range Riders.
Education/Credentials Equine Science, Equine Training Study, Equine Nutrition,and EquineAnatomy
Awards and Honors State Champion Barrel Racer, Instructor of the year (at our barn) many western pleasure championships, #1 pole bender of the Riverside Range Riders, Cowgirl of the year for the socal cowgirl club
Question QUESTION: My horse has been very crabby lately in the stall and in the pasture.Almost every time i go to his stall or his pasture to get him out or just visit him he pins his ears back and sometimes walks away.How should I deal with him?I want him to love and respect me, not be crabby almost every time he sees me. Please help!
ANSWER: hi liz,
he does this to disrespect you. when you go into his stall and he moves away, make him move in a circle around you. have him switch directions and make him stop. if he does not turn to you and look at you send him around again and repeat the process until he turns to you and lets you walk up to him. in the pasture if he walks away from you keep approaching him. if he runs then let him run. just keep walking up to him and he will see that hes doing more work then what he wants to do and will just stop. one reason he may be acting like this is he is sore when he is ridden. having an equine chiropractor come out to adjust his body may be very helpful. good luck with your horse and if you have anyother questions just come on back and i can help.
amanda groff
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have had my trainer check my horse over and she says he is not sore at all.She says that it may be from his work schedule changing.(he is used in the lesson program up to three and sometimes four times a week) I have tried to let him run when i can't catch him in the pasture but it hasn't worked too well because after I let him run another horse in his pasture starts chasing him around and I still can't catch him! Lately i have been taking a tack sponge and pretending it is a treat so my horse will stand still when I put his halter on but the other horses won't attack me.I put some liniment on his back and legs today and he seemed to like it.Should I put on the liniment more often?Also he has been quite hyper lately because it has been so cold.He has been taking off in the ring and been skittish lately.(when I take him near a tractor he gets very nervous and he has freaked out when i have gone near a running tractor twice) Is there anything you would recommend I should do with him before I ride him to calm him down?
Answer hi liz,
when your trainer checked his back she checked his muscles. the muscles are not what could be bothering him, its his bones. they are not adjusted properly and need to be put into place again. when you catch him even if there are other horses in the pasture keep your attention on your horse. if they run around too its ok. they will all realized that they are doing more work then they want and when there done with their fun they will stop and ignore you. but keep approaching your horse until he stands there. over time he will just stand and let you catch him so he doesnt have to run around and be tired later. if the liniment seems to make him happy keep doing it. a happy horse is a fun. to get some extra energy out before riding him you can put him in the round pen for a while and work him. its normal for horses to feel hyper when it gets cold. mine do the same thing and buck and rear and try to take off. its normal. if he takes off with you , you have two options. one turn him in a tight circle and make him do it a few turns around and retry your canter. or you can make him run and keep him running. when he gets tired push him alittle farther then let him walk when you want him to walk. walk him for about 10-15 minutes and canter him some more, it doesnt have to be lone 1-2 laps around the arena is good. if he does it correctly and nicely like you want stop and call it a day. if he tries to take of try running him longer then he wants again. its kind of a tuff love lesson. he will figure out if he takes off hes gonna run alot more then what he wants and he wont do it again. as far as the spooking goes before you come up to something you think he might freak out about just becase he wants to give him a short half halt ( check one rein perferable the rein towards the object) to let him know your not going to deal with his funny business. good luck with your horse and i hope these tips will help you. if you have any more problems just come on back and i can help.
amanda groff
