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Correcting The Barn Sour Horse
 By IggyPogo
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21st Mar 2012 •
1,309 views
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 Does your horse fuss on the ride away from the barn, but happily gallops the entire way back to the barn? Or does he start walking in the direction of the barn before you remount in the middle of a trail ride? Does he gallop all the way home when given the slightest chance or performs perfectly when working in the arena, but acts up on the trail?
If any of these questions are answered with a yes, you have a barn sour horse. This is a very annoying and potentially dangerous habit. Recently I was riding one of our older horses, Mozart. He’d been just sitting on the ranch, giving pony rides for the past few months and I thought he’d like a change in scenery by going on a trail ride. His owner granted me permission to use him if I used my own tack. Mozart was usually ridden western, but I fitted him with my English bridle and saddle, adjusted the stirrups, and voila! We were ready to go.
At my friend’s barn no one was ready yet, so I took Mozart for a quick canter. He was pretty good at the start, but then grabbed the bit and took off for home. I managed to turn him in time and we went back to my friend’s. I dismissed this as excitement, but looking back I now realize it was a hint of barn sourness.
After that episode I dismounted for a little break and hung my reins over Mozart’s head. Then I released him for a second to grab some water. During this time Mozart whirled around and took off at a flat gallop down the road right back to his barn. Me and my friend leaped onto Pogo and Stormy (my friend and sister’s mounts for the night) and raced after him. Stormy is a great deal faster than the other horses (our little racehorse Paso Fino) and easily caught up to Mozart. I was a bit sad to give Pogo to Megan to pony back, but I needed to get on Mozart and teach him that he wasn’t going to get rewarded for running away.
As I struggled with him I couldn’t help but think that a lot of people and their barn sour horses could use some tips on how to prevent what just happened to me.
How I Fixed a Barn Sour Horse
First, when I tried to get on Mozart he started walking away, so I held the reins tightly in my hand and said sternly, “NO!” Then I tried to remount and Mozart started walking away again. This time I managed to boost myself in the saddle and the bay started to canter back before I even found my stirrup. He didn’t respect the bit, so I hopped off to give myself better control. (Don’t do this if your horse respects the bit. Other issues I had at the time that kept me from staying on were a canal on one side of the horse, tons of little holes in the field and some boys riding by on motor bikes nearby.)
This time I was determined to control Mozart. The first step I took was to turn Mozart away from our barn and in the direction of my friend’s. I held him against the fence and the second I was on, before he turned to the barn, I urged him against the fence. Mozart walked around stiffly before relaxing.
Removing the barn sourness from your horse involves lots of patience and rewarding. Once Mozart finally started walking perfectly and nicely after I mounted I would simply get off, and give him a little reward by having me walk instead of ride him. Each time I would get on him I would ride him a little longer. Over time I could ride him around the neighborhood a bit more and he performed pretty well. The work-and-reward method work really well for me.
Of course, Mozart isn’t completely rehabbed, at least not yet anyways. On a recent trail ride Mozart grabbed the bit yet again and took off, jumping over a bush. But this time I caught him faster and we whirled around, giving some jumpers across the street an improptu rodeo. I definitely have my work cut out for me, but his episodes are less common and I'm noticing general improvement over time.
Good luck with your barn sour horse! I would love to hear comments on how you address this situation.
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IggyPogo
Update! I rode Mozart the other day, and he was much better except for he kept speeding up when we turned around towards the barn (We were just going up and down the road. TEMPTATION TEST! LOL) but other than that he was okay, except at one point he bolted into the farm, but after about two steps I turned his head and made him continue trotting in circles until he stopped and stood patiently. -.- I don't think he likes me anymore, but Mozart's owner says I could maybe start working with him some more. So that'll be fun!
Update! I rode Mozart the other day, and he was much better except for he kept speeding up when we turned around towards the barn (We were just going up and down the road. TEMPTATION TEST! LOL) but other than that he was okay, except at one point he bolted into the farm, but after about two steps I turned his head and made him continue trotting in circles until he stopped and stood patiently. -.- I don't think he likes me anymore, but Mozart's owner says I could maybe start working with him some more. So that'll be fun!
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40 days ago
• 291 views
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Laugh and Ride
I'll try this with maple, thanks!
I'll try this with maple, thanks!
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41 days ago
• 370 views
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abb77
great article and its making me wonder if mine is barn sour - considering he ran out of the arena and into his paddock when i got off to move the trot poles :D
great article and its making me wonder if mine is barn sour - considering he ran out of the arena and into his paddock when i got off to move the trot poles :D
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49 days ago
• 291 views
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Bright Horizon
One of my mules used to be barn sour. -.- Such an annoying habit!
One of my mules used to be barn sour. -.- Such an annoying habit!
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50 days ago
• 295 views
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Moose
Great article. I had a yearling like this, and I know exactly how this feels.
Great article. I had a yearling like this, and I know exactly how this feels.
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52 days ago
• 303 views
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Double Spur Ranch
Very great article! Helps a lot for people!
Very great article! Helps a lot for people!
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57 days ago
• 291 views
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57 days ago
• 301 views
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Mrs West Malik
me and my friend once borrowed this girls horse and the whole way home she was trying to bomb off, it was so irritating!
me and my friend once borrowed this girls horse and the whole way home she was trying to bomb off, it was so irritating!
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57 days ago
• 301 views
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MySweetButterfly
Thanks for writing this! Tango can be a bit like this at times! I'll try your method :)
Thanks for writing this! Tango can be a bit like this at times! I'll try your method :)
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57 days ago
• 287 views
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Sapphire Flames
great article! i like how you said you weren't going to give up. that's one thing you need with horses is diligence and patience!
great article! i like how you said you weren't going to give up. that's one thing you need with horses is diligence and patience!
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57 days ago
• 287 views
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58 days ago
• 290 views
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