Barn Sour

For a horse that is trying to take you back to the barn or rushes to get back to the barn, take short rides (1/4 mile) out from the barn and come back to the barn then don't even stop, ride into the barn lot then head straight out again in a different direction 1/4 mi then back to the barn, then out again in a new direction, then repeat again, etc. etc.  He'll get tired of hurrying up to get to the barn if it just means immediately leaving again to go out.  Keep him guessing about when you are going to really stop at the barn.  Then ride some working patterns in the arena at the end of every ride when you get back to the barn.  After that tie the horse up and leave him saddled for a while.  This way the barn isn't such a great place to go back to.  If every time after a ride he arrives back at the barn, is unsaddled, brushed, fed, turned out then of course he'll want to hurry up and get to the barn.

Enjoy the Journey,

Ed Dabney is an internationally acclaimed clinician, presenting horsemanship and riding clinics all over the US and in Europe.  In 2007, Ed was named Champion of the East Coast Trainer Challenge Series by Equine Extravaganza.  Ed was honored to have been selected by the University of Georgia to teach their senior level Young Horse Training course.

His training articles have appeared in many major national magazines.  Ed produces instructional videos and the “Gentle Horsemanship” TV program which has been seen on RFD-TV.

Ed's blending of natural horsemanship and classical equitation has made an indelible mark with students all across the United States and now also in Europe, drawing the attention of serious riders searching for the lightest touch and the deepest connection with their horses irrespective of breed or discipline.