Barn Sour Horses

There are many factors that can cause a horse to become barn sour. The most common causes for becoming barn sour are a lack of regular use and exercise, a lack of being turned out to blow off steam, or never being taken “off property” to be exposed to new stimuli.

These things can cause laziness, stubbornness, and minor or major panic when leaving what has become their comfort zone. They can also become aggressive and unpredictable when finally brought out for work, even in an arena in the barn area. When taking a barn sour horse out beyond the barn, they may plant and refuse to go past a certain point, whether it is into a trailer or down the trail. Other common behaviors that can become very dangerous is the need to “run” all the way home if riding off property, or becoming very anxious when trailered out to ride the trail.

There are several techniques that anyone can use to work your horse out of these potentially dangerous behaviors. To start you need to do some round pen work (preferably 50 to 60 feet in diameter). It should be done free of a lead and with a whip if necessary. You need to push the horse in and out of all four gates (walk, trot, lope or canter, and gallop) while making them change directions without warning. Work them into a sweat, and don’t quit until they begin to lick and chew and eventually lower their head to the ground while in a trot at the minimum.

Once they have done this, allow them to stop at their own pace while you have your back turned. Ideally they will “join-up” with you, meaning come to your back and ask you to accept them into your “herd”. This may need to be repeated daily to get accomplished, and be sure to reward the little steps of progress and always end on a positive note. Once you have achieved this it is a good idea to take them out after the workout for a rewarding and bonding easy ride around the ranch or arena if that is the only area to ride.

Enjoy the newfound bond you have created and be sure to show them love and positive feedback.

Tagged as: Barn Sour Horses