Horse rushes back to the barn: why it hurries home and what to do

Almost every trail rider has experienced it: on the way out the horse walks slowly, and as soon as we turn towards the barn it speeds up and starts pulling. That is not naughtiness. For a horse, the barn and the herd mean safety.

Punishment does not help, because the horse only gets confirmation that being out is unpleasant. It is better to change what the barn means. When we return, I do not untack straight away or let it go to food; I do a little more calm work in front of the barn.

On the way home I often stop, change direction and go back a few metres. When the horse relaxes its neck and slows down, we continue. That way it learns that we decide the tempo together, not the barn.

Over time the horse understands that it is safe with me too, not only in its stable. That is why in trail riding preparation we work so much on trust before the first ride out.