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Originally Posted by Sandy Banks
Hi
I have a five year old Welsh Section D called Ruben. I have been riding him for the last three years, we have our moments with him running off sometimes when he is spooked but I've got used to dealing with this and can stop him.
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He is five and you have ridden him for three years! That was starting very young imho, and D's can be notoriously slow in their mental development trying to be bullies before they learn manners. He is far from mature and at 5 is still teething and growing too.
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Recently though he has found a new trick. He just stops in the lane and won't go on. I kick him on, use voice commands and use the stick but he just ignores everything, then will just start walking again when he feels like it.
What should I do? My friend says I should just sit there and ignore him and wait for him to move but is this giving him the wrong message that he is in control and not me?
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You could try waiting but then YOU must decide when to move on or he will think he has decided. Sometimes with nappers we turn them round in a circle and then try and move them on, works with some, others we change direction and that helps. Have another horse take the lead. Or when he decides to move make him halt and wait, circle, turn , whatever so you remain in firm control and in charge.
Is it always in the same place he stops? Why does he do it - is he alone, does he want to go back to his friends or to food? Do you feed him after the ride? Sometimes changing feed times to before then onbviously waiting at least an hour before the ride means thay are not so eager to rush back home.
Good Luck and stay safe
