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 Member
Posts: 10
Location: Gadsden, AL | I have a full blooded Polish Arabian, and I've been barreling him for about a year and a half.
I'm still having serious issues getting him to calm down and focus on running the pattern. Occasionally, he even gets into some serious little Arabian fits, where all he does is back up and balk. Sometimes I think I'd have better success running the pattern backwards...
Many people have recommended VitaCalm supplement? I need to know more about this before I put him on it. I'm really big about making sure my horses are not on anything that isn't all natural or even organic unless its really necessary.
Also, any suggestions that don't include a supplement or feed would be awesome, but I'm open to any.
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Expert
Posts: 3514
  
| Aculife Patches. They are natural no drugs. PM me if you have questions or want info. |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
 
Location: Alberta | Have you rules out any pain issues??? Chiro, feet/legs.....that is where I would start...because as I've learned if pain is in fact the cause of lack of focus no amount of calmers will make a difference...the adrenaline from the pain wins over the calmer....
I do understand he's an Arab and they can at times be higher strung, I also know from growing up on Arabs they are the most expressive when something is wrong too...
Edited by dream_chaser 2014-04-11 9:52 PM
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Years ago I trained Arabs full time. We had a polish Arab for 10 years that I just donated to a Therapy place due to a family crisis. Still have one half Arab. I love the breed-- they're highly intelligent and they don't take any crap but they'll try their heart out for you if you ask right.
One thing that happens with them a lot is that people over cue and over stimulate. They don't take as much leg or rein as other breeds do. What happens is the people squeeze to hard or they use their hands too rough for them. They're thinned skinned and naturally light so they take half the effort to ride. I'd look at much you're cueing and if you're releasing quick enough when he tries, especially coming in the gate.
Another thing is that they're extremely sensitive to tension in a rider. If you're tense or nervous, he's going to feel it right off. That can make one get upset at the gate as well.
Something else about Arabs is that you show them something 1-2 times and they've got it. You have to be really careful to not over-work them on the pattern. They get seasoned really, really quick. That means they don't need an exhibition -- you just run in a class whether you're ready to or not because they just don't need that extra run.
If he were mine, I would spend a whole lot of time focusing on relaxing and just walking and making it enjoyable. I'd also develope some cues of when it's time to rest and when it's time to go -- I can guarantee you he's smart enough to learn the difference. The key is to be extremely consistent in teaching & using it inside & outside of the pen, and being very specific with it. You can teach a horse to stop just by releasing your breath if you're consistent enough.
When he gets flighty or upset, don't fight with him. Just keep him soft and keep his feet moving in different directions and give him something to think about and re-direct that energy. Soon, he'll start to focus on that instead of what he's upset about. For instance, when he starts backing up, let him but make him move his hip over while doing it. Or if he's prancing forward, let him go forward but turn it into a lateral half pass -- I've seen that slow down a lot of horses really quick.
Also, check your saddle fit. Most regular barrel saddles don't truly fit an Arab. Some of the semi QH bars will but not always. Arabs have one less rib so their backs are short but their ribs are well-sprung so they're not necessarily narrow.
And also, check for any source of pain -- teeth, tack fit, etc.
As far as feed -- I've really had the best luck on Strategy or Total Equine. All my horses have gotten much hotter when on beet pulp.
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Member
Posts: 10
Location: Gadsden, AL | I check over my horses consistently before and after every single ride, and they go to a vet for a check up routinely.
He is completely healthy, just hot! |
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Member
Posts: 42
| My Arab got hot if he knew what he was doing. I swear you could ride a dressage pattern with that horse twice & he'd remember it & try to do all of the cues where he knew they would be.
change things up ALL the time! Lots of slow work. If he spooks at something, walk him through it not 'work' him through it like a lot of people recommend. Arabs dont mind the work so they look for an excuse to work. |
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 Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
Location: Oklahoma | LOVE my Arabs. You have great advice her, especially from Fairweather. They are very much a thinking breed. OF my 14 Arabians I have two Polish mares, one of which is race bred. The breed will really teach a horseman a lot about patince and thinking through. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | Fair weather is right! I would just slow things down don't overwork. Work in the arena wo barrels set up. Teach your horse the pole pattern, cavalettis(sp?), jumping, etc. I have a Arabx and I know it takes jus a little an mostly I don't pick at the small things. You can do slow work wo the pattern. If you continue to have problems maybe change the scenery do some rail classes etc he may not like being a barrel horse. Mix things up see how he does in other events. I've done everything from hunter jumper classes to poles and mine still loves barrels but has to have mental breaks! |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | Maybe try treating for ulcers? Ulcers can make horses act more high strung than usual and take a lot of their focus away. It's not a miracle cure, but it might help.
If you have access to team penning or sorting it might be good for him to get to do something that involves a little bit of speed but requires him to REALLY focus because he's got to watch the cows.
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| What are you feeding? |
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