Training a Horse With a Bad Attitude

A horse needs a good attitude and positive relationship with its trainer to learn. A number of factors can lead to a horse having a bad attitude, including the way the horse is treated by its owner or trainer, pain it is experiencing, how it is saddled and what it is fed. These factors need to be addressed to train the animal.

  1. Safety

    • Make the horse feel secure. Horses are naturally wary of predators and need to be assured that they can trust their owner or trainer. Once this bond is created, the attitude of the horse should improve, and it should gravitate toward its trainer, making training easier and more effective.

    Pain

    • Address possible pain in the horse. A horse may experience pain due to bruising, bone breaks or fractures or muscle problems caused by weakness or underdevelopment. Dental and hoof problems also are common causes of pain. Alternately, the horse may be experiencing fatigue and in need of rest.

    Saddling

    • A horse's bad behavior may be caused by problems with its saddle. The saddle may be too tight or pinch the horse, causing pain. To fix this problem, it may be necessary to get a different saddle or put it on again. Ensuring that there is sufficient padding is another strategy. A horse may start behaving badly upon seeing the saddle, even before it is on.

    Food

    • A horse's diet affects its mood. Ensure that the horse is fed properly to avoid bad behavior. Horses often become hyperactive if fed an excessive amount of grain, for example. Individual horses also have different reactions to different types of food, and a particular one may not be suited for that horse.