help! horse wont go in the arena.

my horse wont go in the arena.  she has gotton so bad at rodeos lately, that i have to get off and have someone else lead her in the arena.  even then she still jerks back.  any sugestions?

I have no idea what experience you have as a rider and I know nothing about your horse, but it sounds like your horse does not want to go into the arena for some reason. Does it go in the arena at home of in familiar places? If so, do you ride differently when you get to the show? (More timidly or more aggressively?)

Try using treats as rewards to get over the hump. Take lessons and get coaching at shows (or rodeos) from a "good" instructor or coach. Often horses are afraid at shows regardless of age or experience, but experience in a non-threatening atmosphere can help. Can you take your horse into the arena before competition or into similarly scary places to help reduce it's fear? Try taking your time with the horse and calmly introducing it to the things that scare him or her forehand. Good luck!

thanks!! i will get some treats and try that at home then at the rodeo tomorrow.  now that i think of it, i probably do tense up a little bit before i go in because i know she will try to not go in.  when i get there i will practice going in and out and warm in the arena if i can.  thanks again.

The idea of treats is great. Not sure what the rules for a rodeo are, but maybe taking her in the ring, early while its quiet (like early am) with a small bucket of grain and showing her around. Also, when a horse becomes ring sour, sometimes the best remedy is to vary the activities, and get her our on trail rides, maybe out swimming, lots of turnout etc.

she did alot better at the last few rodeos. i have my finals this weekend and we mite try the bucket of grain. thanks!