Adolescence in youngsters

ameeyal

ameeyal

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I have a rising 6 year old that is very immature, he only goes out for a hack once a week cause his little brain gets tied {sp}, nothing has ever bothered him or excites him, he walks at a snails pace. BUT for the last 2 months he is now going through adolescence, he is on edge all the time, he has become jumpy, he wants to be up front instead of being behind, he will pull faces at the other horse im riding out with, I bought some new reins that were to long, he jumped about because they were touching his shoulders, ive just come back from a ride with him jogging about, about 200 yards from home he just suddenly jumped in the air and took off up the road, luckely I stayed on but I just hope he doesn't do that again, SO how do other people go on when their ridden youngsters start playing up, and how long will it last. I WANT MY IMMATURE PONY BACK.
 
He is a 6 year old and doing no work to occupy his brain at all, he needs to do more now before he starts to really play up and gets worse, you need to move on from treating him like a 4 year old, it will not hurt him to be pushed a bit, getting a little tired will do no harm as long as you take things sensibly otherwise he will never grow up or his behaviour could deteriorate and become a "difficult" horse.

You cannot wish for the immature pony back, he is getting bigger and stronger, work him or find someone that can help you do so if time is short.
 
And do a decent trot on your hacks - letting them amble means they get ample time to think about scary things. Get him responsive to your aids.
The spring grass may not be helping, I think adding a magnesium supplement never does any harm.
 
He is bored. Either exercise him more, or sell him to someone who is willing to give him the time he needs, then buy yourself a kitten to fuss and pet instead of babying an intelligent horse who needs more than you seem to be willing to give him.
 
Oh, I read OP's post as he only hacks once/week but might school/do in hand work/whatever on the other days.

/Some/ horses are fine with minimal work, espec. if turned out in between with company, but some will never be once/week types.

Think you need to clarify the work schedule OP.
 
Ouch to the above from heebiejeebies!!!!!?

I am in the same boat with my rising 6 yr old, and the only solution for mine is no feed and hard work. I have started flatwork lessons now and he is booked into a summer camp, and doing his first fun ride next week.

He gets ridden every day and try to vary what I do, but he can still be a bit full of himself!

As a 5 yr old he was all sweetness and light and a sensible plod, so feel your pain......
 
I think they do go through a stage (especially geldings) where they need lots of work and buttering up a bit, a bit like teenage boys really! But the lots of work is key- Tango is 6, and is still very baby (he grew 3 inches this winter and went up several rug sizes!) but he's still doing 6 days a week. 2 schooling, 1 jumping, 2 cantering and one mooching along. If he's competing (only 80cm ODEs atm, but aiming for more as he's gained confidence) one of those sessions gets replaced with the event.

If he's not in other work, I think it would need upping considerably. And if he is, I'd introduce more hacking or knock it on the head altogether. Once a week is a bit too exciting I'd imagine.
 
I would hack more too. More often and mire distance. Hacking won't tire his brain, he's 6 not 3. He should be perfectly capable of a two hour hack at a brisk pace (building up to take into account his fitness of course).

You need to stop babying him and demand he behaves now or he will get worse.

Don't let him go at snails pace, make him march on and pay attention. If he jogs make him trot on briskly (on a contact in a rhythm) for a decent distance then ask him to walk nicely again.

I would try taking him in front if he is trying to go up front. But put him there and make him lead, don't let him choose where he goes when.

Personally I think sometimes when they start messing they need teaching to save their energy. If he's pulling and jogging to get home go past and do a second lap, if he is jogging make him trot forward.

Treat your hacking as training, you are making this horse for the future, putting up with bad behaviour now will teach him that it is acceptable.
 
Thanks for the feedback, { well most of it} because of his immaturity he was only hacked once a week, which did tire him he was like a kick a long old plod, since his attitude has changed this last 2 months it hasn't accured to me to do more work with him to get him through it, because im still treating him like the baby he WAS. So I will do more work with him to see how that goes.
 
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