Barn Sour Horses

A barn sour horse is simply a horse that has grownSolutions
too comfortable and accustomed to the barn. WhenThere is no hard and fast way to fix a barn sour
this happens, a horse may refuse to leave the barn nohorse's attitude. Once it has become sour, it will stay
matter how hard you try to bring it out. This can be athat way until deal with it. The best way to handle this
big problem for you. You may be unable to accomplishsourness is with the use of gentle transition training and
any work with your horse or you may not be able tomovement away from the barn. You may for
enjoy the long leisure rides that you've been lookingexample attempt to move your horse away from but
forward to after acquiring the horse.still near the barn. From this short distance, you can
Causesbegin asking your horse to perform a few basic tasks.
The main reason why horses become bound to theThis will help both beef up his confidence and gradually
barn or stable is because they find it a place offocus his attention away from the barn. Do this on a
comfort and respite. The barn is also a place of safetydaily basis but gradually put more distance between
and security, away from aggressive animals orthe barn and the horse.
demanding humans. Some experts would suggest thatYou can also try to delay barn gratification. This simply
barn sour horses are actually insecure horses and thatmeans not putting your horse immediately in the barn
they derive confidence and security from the barn.after a long ride or training. When you do get to the
Consequencesbarn, you can also ask the horse to perform a few
The major consequence will be a horse's pronouncedmore tasks before providing food and rest. This is a
unwillingness to be handled in any way. A relatedgood way of gently breaking your horse's association
consequence is that you and your horse could bothbetween the barn and comfort.
suffer injury if you try to force you way on the horse.Working with a barn sour horse is never easy. It is
If you are not patient and take steps to force yourhowever, something which you may not be able to
horse to perform or behave, you risk having a largeavoid. If you have this type of horse, you have to deal
unruly horse that is bucking or kicking. This badwith it. Otherwise, your horse will be of little use and
behavior could easily result in injury to bystanders, theprove dangerous.
horse or you when the horse starts to act up.