30 minute pony

[rextherobber]

I'd get imaging done on his back. I don't think it's behavioural, I think its a pain response.

 

[Glitter's fun]

More information please.

I looked back through your previous posts. (Sorry, hope you don't think that's creepy!)

Is this the same pony that you asked about before? ( Bridle advice because of head shaking in 2020; various saddle problems over a few months; "footy" due to possible laminitis 2021 ; just started spooking a few weeks later? )

Where did you buy him & are you certain he is the age you were told?

Thanks.

 

[Tabs]

Stress causes histamine to be released which is why alot of horses rub their faces when bridled.
As horses simply don't have the part of the brain that produces so called "naughty" behaviour it's obvious he's trying to tell you something and I'd echo what others have said regarding check ups.

Hi! Im so interested in this comment. My mare does this all the time She is very stressed and Im here to help her but i have never heard that. Where can i get more information on this please. I really want to learn to understand her behaviour and not just what im told because my gut instinct is more aligned with that very thing. cheers

 

[starbucker]

Have alot of sympathy, my previous loan used to do this and the frustration you feel is unmatched and completely erodes your enjoyment of what should be a nice relaxing hack. It could be as he gets tired at 30 mins so it may be pain/ fatigue/ discomfort related over confidence issue (unless you pass a certain obstacle at 30 minutes?). The advise I received by an instructor was to keep moving their feet, sideways, backward, circle if must, til they decide forward is the easiest option, he would throw in a buck to show he was really not happy then just plant (Shut down) if you pushed harder / had the argument for long enough so this rarely worked for me unless someone was on foot. I only hacked out in company or with someone on foot with this horse. If it started at the beginning of hack it could be confidence related but as its in the middle I would assume that investigations may be due, though horses do have a 'trigger stack' mentality. Another one I have rode tried to spin and threat to mini rear - a sharp turn and yell of their name and pushing them on makes them cut it out for the rest of the ride. I would try shorter hacks with them being young? (short loop would be ideal rather than turning back on yourself which can reinforce this problem of turning for home - if have to turn around make sure its your decision not theirs) Itching of the legs, could mallanders be bothering with you saying its a cob type?

 

[Sealine]

Hi! Im so interested in this comment. My mare does this all the time She is very stressed and Im here to help her but i have never heard that. Where can i get more information on this please. I really want to learn to understand her behaviour and not just what im told because my gut instinct is more aligned with that very thing. cheers

Interesting. My horse stops and rubs his face on his leg when hacking alone. I jokingly call it 'extreme napping'. I always thought the scratching was an excuse to stop as it's something I never stop him from doing (he wears a nosenet in the summer) but maybe there is more to it.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Please don't try and get a more confident rider to "ride him through it" as he doesn't have the capacity to be "naughty ".
The head tossing and nose rubbing sounds like either pollen or genetsl frustration due to discomfort.
So I'd just get your vet for a thorough check up.
You'd be surprised by the difference once his discomfort is sorted.
My cob used to bolt. I've been rodeoed into the arena fence, I've been chucked into a hedge. It was absolutely terrifying.
Now that he's no longer in pain and he trusts me though, he's probably the most trustworthy horse I've even owned !
Once he's comfortable, your confidence will return as you will start enjoying riding him.

 

[Miss_Millie]

My mare did this when I first got her. The bridle I was given was too small, it was digging into her poll and the browband was causing a lot of pressure across her temple. The bit did not fit properly either and was hurting her

As soon as I got a properly fitting bridle, the behaviour stopped. Do not get a 'better' rider to 'push him through it', imagine being in pain and someone forcing you to keep going...it's nothing short of abusive.

 

[canteron]

If everything else is fine, a couple of thoughts.
The first is if you get off, don’t go back straight away, ie don’t make it a reward he gets to go home for bad behaviour.
Second, I have a couple of spots where I let me horse snack on a super tasty tree, or something they don’t normally get to eat (ie high value). Crazy as it seems, the idea is that it gives the horse a reason for the ride and a reward for getting that far!!

 

[sbloom]

Pain. In some cases the area goes numb (under the saddle usually) after 20 minutes, hence so many horses take 20 minutes to "warm up". This is the reverse and something is causing increasing discomfort.

I think it's a real shame that you call yourself a "useless rider", our words are really powerful, this is simply an issue that you don't yet have the experience to deal with. Definitely a vet first, but have a look at Soft and Sound on Facebook, I'm pretty certain she offers courses helping with hacking, or have a look around for confidence coaches, biomechanics coaches (to really help you to be effective generally) etc, see what resonates.