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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
  
| I've got an older gelding, and I mean older, that is challenging to manage going into the alley, and just about impossible in a holding pen. He's 21, and has been there done everything. He knows if it's the real deal, an exhibition or if there's a rider in the arena vs a tractor. If I stay away from the alley and slowly/easily guide him up to when it's just time to run, we can manage, but he's just ready to roll and his heart is beating 9 oh.
I tried the pheromones, but he blows through those. I don't think it's me, frankly I think he ignores me and if it's a pen we go to often, he knows the drill, if it's new he searches to figure out where the alley is, and when to take off. Maybe he thinks I'm an idot and he has to manage the whole thing, who knows.
He doesn't rear or spin, he's just anticipating when to take off and is ready to go. I've tried going up in an alley when it's exhibition or the drag is going, but he knows that's some BS, there are no races where the tractor is in the arena at the same time. I think he's probably rolling his eyes, like please, how dumb do you think I am.
Who may have experienced something like this and had something that worked. Please share.
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Regular
Posts: 82
| You just described my 24 year old crazy pole horse perfectly! He also knows the difference between exhibitions, drags, and a real run (especially at a HS rodeo). In an exhibition even my little sister can walk him in and out with no fuss at all! However, he had some pretty bad alley issues when we got him about 3-4 years ago and still will if you let him. His main problem though is that previous owners made home lope tight circles in front of the alley when he gave them problems, which really only made it worse... Him being the smart guy he is was thinking ally+excitement= spin in tight circles! After getting him to where he would actually stand and relax within 50-100 ft of an alley I learned that he does best when I'm calm and he's calm. So I warm him up pretty good then about 10-15 people in front of us a get off near the general area of the alley and calmly stretch him and pick his feet out and just chill out. When we are about 5 people out I tighten his girth and get on all while being relax and cool about it. I walk him until about 2 people before us then I stop and make him chill out. Then when our name is called I make sure everything is clear and head straight to the ally while trying to keep him occupied (setting his head mainly helps with him, but you could also try side stepping, flexing him, etc.) It's just with this horse and movement to any side or any hesitation sends him in a spin! So basically, try staying calm to keep him calm and keep him occupied until the very last minute when it's game time :) Good luck! |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| I have this problem to some extent.
The most helpful thing I have been able to do is to stay off of my horse until the runner before me.  |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| If you have a system that works, let it go. IMO if he's not naughty or in pain and just on the muscle and ready to work at 21, let him work and enjoy the runs you have left with him. If his behavior is blowing runs or making it impossible for you to enjoy him then that's a different story.
Have you tried having a friend walk with you, either on a horse or on the ground? I have a friend with a firey little mare who is much much better if someone on the ground handles the reins and walks her while the rider gets situation, rubber bands on etc. once she picks up the reins it is go time. We still stay as far away from the alley as we can, off to the side, some arena setups are better than others.
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| I had a similar situation and was at my wits end. My mare never refused to go in the pen but was not allowing me to get a good start. After ruling out any soundness issues I tried multiple calming products with no success. I ended up using chlorpromazine and now she will walk flat footed down the alley. I'm sure there will be negative comments on here about using chlorpromazine but that's what I would suggest trying. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 357
Location: Colorful Colorado | This was my last gelding. I tried keeping him back until a couple before me......, I tried staying off him until a couple before me. Then when I tried to mount he was juicy and with my shot knees it was quite a show watching me try to catch my sturrip and litterly climb on. It seemed to work best to just sit by the alley and pet him, knowing when I picked up my reins he would instantly be ready to rocket and I do mean take a huge leap and be running when his feet hit the ground. He was certainly one challenging crazy horse and I miss him. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| nothinbutdust - 2016-08-22 9:00 PM
This was my last gelding. I tried keeping him back until a couple before me......, I tried staying off him until a couple before me. Then when I tried to mount he was juicy and with my shot knees it was quite a show watching me try to catch my sturrip and litterly climb on. It seemed to work best to just sit by the alley and pet him, knowing when I picked up my reins he would instantly be ready to rocket and I do mean take a huge leap and be running when his feet hit the ground. He was certainly one challenging crazy horse and I miss him.
^^ this ^^ |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| OhMax - 2016-08-22 8:47 PM
If you have a system that works, let it go. IMO if he's not naughty or in pain and just on the muscle and ready to work at 21, let him work and enjoy the runs you have left with him. If his behavior is blowing runs or making it impossible for you to enjoy him then that's a different story.
Have you tried having a friend walk with you, either on a horse or on the ground? I have a friend with a firey little mare who is much much better if someone on the ground handles the reins and walks her while the rider gets situation, rubber bands on etc. once she picks up the reins it is go time. We still stay as far away from the alley as we can, off to the side, some arena setups are better than others.
I haven't tried the friend thing. He isn't naughty, he's just ready to go. He goes a little tilted when we go from a side entry into the alley, but I can manage OK. And, no the runs aren't blown, he hunts the first from the time we take off. If the run is blown, it's usually me. If I go to the spot and ride correct, it's a nice run. He's not real fast, but his turns are quick.
I sent this guy to my grandaughter to ride a few years ago, but she is busy with high school, soccer, and boyfriend and frankly just doesn't have that equine addiction her mother and I do. So, I re-claimed him. I've had some health issues, hadn't competed consistently for 3 years, so I'm just enjoying going again. HOwever, I am not in great shape physically just yet, and that isn't helpful. Probably at 21 he is what he is. And probably at 62 I am what I am.
Thanks for the comments. It's always helpful to hear what others have experienced.
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 Saint Stacey
| See if you can stay sitting back and one handed on the reins until you are ready to go. A lot of times going two handed on the reins is what makes them know you are headed down the alley.
I'd be careful though. If his heart is racing and you start screwing with making him wait, you could cause a balking problem. At his age, I'd probably just let him do his job. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | I would give him something to settle his stomach to get rid of the acid. Or just go ahead and treat for ulcers. He is anticipating his run, so he has acid in his stomach. Even though he knows his job doesn't mean he doesn't get anxiety about it. Also for mine I don't get him close to the alley until its time to run. I give mine magnum44 paste by oxygen before every run. It settles their stomach with magnesium and aloe gel. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| SKM - 2016-08-23 6:07 AM
See if you can stay sitting back and one handed on the reins until you are ready to go. A lot of times going two handed on the reins is what makes them know you are headed down the alley.
I'd be careful though. If his heart is racing and you start screwing with making him wait, you could cause a balking problem. At his age, I'd probably just let him do his job.
this! Most people don't realize just how exited they (the rider) become when the announcer calls your name. Work on making sure that you stay calm as well. I stay one handed until its literally my turn to run. I walk large circles in the warm up with one hand on the reins, sitting on their neck as long as they will calmly walk around. Hope this helps :) |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | I fail to see any point fighting or even worrying about a horse that is on his toes WANTING to do his job. If he working properly and has enough air to run from the back forty, then just center him up with the gate/alley and send him. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2674
Location: Silver Lake, MN | My mare is really nice at the gate, will walk in if I am 1 handed but as soon as I go to 2 hands she knows it's time to go. So I just stay one handed until I want her to go. It keeps me more relaxed too. So might be something to try, sounds like he is super fun and ride and knows his job. Love those kind! |
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Veteran
Posts: 164
Location: Williamsville, MO | Funny i have a 21 y/o mare that is the exact same way, i have owned and ran her 10 years now though so she was doing this in her early teens. She is very on the muscle, will NOT stand in a holding pen with me on her, never refuses but you better be ready when she is. I warm her up away from the pen then step off, about 2 horses before my run we have a buddy standing there and i climb on and get situated and we ease that way. Hopefully never having to completely stop (then we have a problem, standing still isnt an option) i just follow buddy and when she figures out whats going on then she "crow hops" up to my let go point behind the buddy horse. I can take her in the pen on my own but she is worn out and has no wind by the time i can release her. Same with a holding pen, lead her in on foot and step on probably 1 horse prior and take off. Just something i choose to deal with since she is a nice horse. She also knows the difference, i swear after 10 years she knows my name! lol but she will walk up the alley all day until its time to run. I started dropping my feet out of the stirrups when we just casually walk by the gate and she knows then that it isnt our turn. You can literally feel her body relax when i drop my feet down, it just took a while for her to learn that. |
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