Advice please

[malibu211211]

After not riding for a while due to op I got back on yesterday

Monty was his usual 'hmm she's been off for a while, lets see what I can get away with

' self

He's reverted back to his giraffe like ways where he hollows his back, puts his head in air then off to right where he heads for the nearest exit

Now in walk he is fine, in trot instructor said just to push him forwards, ignore head and once he's going forwards to ask for roundness which works. Also not to let him turn to the right when he decides he wants to which sometimes is easier said than done

It's canter thats the problem, we have not done much canter work at all and it's not my greatest pace (I tend to tense up in the school

) On the left rein in canter he tends to do this 'giraffe' thing and head for the gate

He is currently ridden in a JP french link loose ring, do you think it would be a good idea to put him in a full cheek version whilst working on canter?
He does give in quite easily but he does like to see what he can get away with.
BTW Back and teeth are fine and he has been kept ticking over whilst I have been off which I'm soooo grateful for

Any advice, ideas, zoo's that are willing to take him?

 

[flowerlady]

How did he go for who ever was riding him while you were unable? How old is he?

 

[lizzieuk1]

yes a full cheek would prob be a good idea, also (dont shoot me) you might want to put some draw reins on just till he realises its not acceptable to cart you off with a giraffe stance!

 

[lilpinkso]

On the turning to the right issue... you could try allowing him to turn but then keep him turning in a small circle (arm out away from your body - no left rein pressure) until he finally says he's had enough of turning and make him turn a little longer... then ask him to walk on again where you want to go and repeat the above if he takes over, he'll soon learn that if he's made the decision to take control it's no fun for him and he doesn't achieve anything other than walking round in circles, works every time for me... beats having a fight about the issue!

You hold your arm away from your body, with as little leg pressure as poss and no outside rein pressure. This is so that he won't start to anticipate this 'trick' when you are simply asking him to bend/turn, it would be quite annoying during a dressage test if your horse stopped dead

he will know when he is being naughty and will eventually respond to you simply moving your arm out and eventually he won't try it on at all!

You mention he has been kept ticking over, has he been doing giraffe impression for this person? or does he just try it on with you?!

Have you thought of trying Lunge lessons to relax in canter?

Good luck!

 

[malibu211211]

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How did he go for who ever was riding him while you were unable? How old is he?

[/ QUOTE ]

He is rising 7 although when I bought him last July he had not done alot so was quite weak and uneducated. He went away to my instructor for 5 weeks in September and has come on so much.
He is always a little cheeky when someone else gets on. I know he did the heading for gate in canter with one person and did his giraffe thing out on a hack.

 

[malibu211211]

Thanks for the replies.
One friend stuck to walk and trot in the school and didn't really have much of a prob with him. He was a bit stuffy the first time but soon settled and she had some lovely work out of him.

The other friend had probs in canter where he did the giraffe thing and headed for the gate. She also had probs out on a hack where he does the giraffe thing, he never pi**es off anywhere it's just not nice as it feels so out of control.
he did that with me yesterday on a hack and then in the school today he was seeing what he could get away with in trot but did give in eventually.
I didn't try canter today as I would like to get back into it abit more and make sure I'm prepared for the heading towards the gate bit.
My instructor had told me to put him on a small circle and really open the inside rein when he did the giraffe thing in trot
so would that be an idea in canter?
Because we are just starting work on canter, would it be better to start on straight lines in canter and get him moving forwards and rounder before going on a circle?
Sorry so many questions

Yep lunge lessons would be a very good idea, thanks

 

[lilpinkso]

[ QUOTE ]
My instructor had told me to put him on a small circle and really open the inside rein when he did the giraffe thing in trot
so would that be an idea in canter?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, same applies for canter, he will break pace to a trot when you start turning him anyway.

[ QUOTE ]
Because we are just starting work on canter, would it be better to start on straight lines in canter and get him moving forwards and rounder before going on a circle?


[/ QUOTE ]

I would focus on your confidence first (those lunge lessons). Also, free-school/lunge him at canter to improve his balance/tone before riding him and rather than keeping to straight lines ask things of him, 30m circles, figure of eight, change of rein - and keep the canter periods short and sweet... he will find his own balance, don't fuss him ...as soon as he is thinking about taking control though, use the one-rein stop. Calmness and consistency is the key.

If he still thinks he's a giraffe, have you thought about having some bridle-less lessons? they are great fun, improve balance, confidence and improve the horses carriage and response to your seat etc, they are particularly great for zoo horses... maybe after those lunge lessons