Barn Sour show horse

I have a very sweet, 5 year old paint gelding I am beginning to show in 4H. He has a great attitude, but recently has seemed uncomfortable when I ride him. Once, I loped him away from another horse and he stopped and bucked. My dad, a vet, thought it was some problem with the fit of the saddle or bit and changed his tack. When riding away, Geronimo twitched his tail, lowered his head, took short choppy strides and was generally difficult to manage. When turned around, he was perfect, though eager to return. Dad says he is barn sour and company sour. He learned to do so when he first tried it and I immediately tensed up, concerned. Dad says I shouldn't ride until he can break the habit and I can control Geronimo. I heard that feeding and petting away from the barn and herd help, though he is not fed or kept in the barn usually. Is there anything I can do on the ground or riding as long as it's safe enough to satisfy my dad? He's always busy and I think it will be a while before he has time to help.

Hello Lillian,
I can see how your father would be concerned, but if you're the one who will be handling or riding this horse, you should also be the one to teach him that you're the one in charge--the 'alpha' mare and you will NOT tolerate his behavior. But do it with your father's guidance and supervision, if his schedule allows. If not maybe there's someone else he and you both trust and respect to help you.

Truly, I don't know of any horse, with one or two exceptions, that has not bonded to another horse or the safety of a barn. This is their nature and like it or not we must except that their natural instincts will sometimes interfere with our means to domesticate them.

Once you realize that natural ways are, and forever will be, present, you can then use them to help you gain his respect and most of all his trust.

When he begins to act up and the first sign will be his head position--high, his breathing will become a little heavier, he may begin to whinny or grunt, tail will swish and he may even begin to prance, DO NOT TENSE UP. Simply take a deep breath, let it out, relax your legs and your hands and softly tell him, "I understand big guy, but it's okay." Make him stand for just a few seconds, and slowly but firmly (not quick) give him the loose reins forward cue from hands at the pommel position and the steady forward leg squeeze cue.

Time and devotion with a lot of patience and hard work will result in your mutual communication. It will come together, I promise.

For more information on barn or buddy sourness look to articles previously posted in the archives which you can access on the main page upper left hand corner. Good luck.

Maggie Flowers
Equine Training Advisor