Becoming Barn Sour

Q:

Is it possible for a horse to become barn sour overnight? My 15 yr. old gelding was a great trail horse up until about two weeks ago. He would go out nice and calm and come back nice and calm. I have taken him out for the last five times now and he goes out nice and calm but on the way back he now gets all pumped up and prancy until he reaches a spot he knows is close to home and then he will go back to a walk. How do I get him out of this before I get hurt? If I try to make him stand still to get him to calm down, he will start backing up real fast to avoid the bit. What can I do?

A:

Barn Sour or “Barn Sweet” horses can be a real pain for sure. It is unusual to have it happen all of a sudden, however. The first question I would ask: is the last bit where he starts acting up on a downhill? If so, then I would want to check out back or hock issues. He may have developed a sore back or hocks for some reason of late, and going downhill hurts.

If that is not an issue, then I would try the following:

Next time you ride, put a halter under your bridle and bring along some treats, such as hay pellets or a carrot or two. Or, if there is grass in the area where you ride, just bring a good book for you. At the point you are getting ready to turn around to head back to the barn, stop, get off, take his bridle off, and give him the treats or let him eat while you read your book and relax. Just enjoy this time with him.

The idea is to make being away from the barn a “sweeter” place than the barn. This might take a few times, but seems to work well for most horses. I have even taken the saddle off at this “picnic point” and really made it a nice place to be.

One more little trick: when your horse starts to prance, turn him around so he is pointing away from home, then back him up toward home. Do not force this back-up; just spread your arms to keep him from turning and allow the energy he already has to carry him backward. If he does not understand, ask him to back. After several steps backward, turn and see if he would like to walk toward the barn. If not, turn him again and back even further toward home. He will still get to go home, just backward! Do not make this a punishment – it should be done with a smile and good humor, saying to him, “I agree…let’s go home, but let’s have fun with it!” Hopefully he will not think this is so much fun, however, and will agree to walk after a few tries.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

“Horse Play” is FUN!

Barb Apple

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