Advice please..

Hi Guys

Just needed some advice with my youngster. He's rising 6 this year and is still very babyish. He hasn't been ridden for a good 5 weeks due to outgrowing his saddle, getting his back checked and waiting for the saddler to come up and fit a new one etc.

Rode Saturday for saddler to check saddle, obviously very fresh and keen, and feeling very well in himself after having his back done and a new saddle, which is a good thing, as previously I had tremendous troubles trying to get him to canter. Previously, he would rush in trot and just buck, almost to the point it felt like asking for canter meant he was supposed to buck!!

Anyway, back to the point, rode in the new saddle, asked for trot, and he went straight up in to canter, i thought fine, lets canter, not wanting to disagree with any forward thinking with him, does a few strides, then slowley starts setting his neck against me and bunny hopping, his head getting lower and lower and me not having enough strength to get his head up got pulled onto his neck, and thankfully he stops.

Now, do you think this is more of a phsycological thing with pain and cantering? Or, is he being lazy and avoiding doing canter work, trying to unseat me so he doesn't have to do it and gets away with it. How would you handle this?

I'm starting to loose a bit of confidence, part of it I feel is a bit of reluctance to kick him on and get his head up and to make him get on with it. Was just looking for some suggestions/ideas from other peeps!! I'm thinking of getting Instructor on him to sort him out but just wondered what you guys thought! Sorry its really long! Thanks xx
 
AmyMay

AmyMay

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Now, do you think this is more of a phsycological thing with pain and cantering? Or, is he being lazy and avoiding doing canter work, trying to unseat me so he doesn't have to do it and gets away with it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Doesn't sound like either to me - more pronking because of not being worked for some time.

Do you have someone you can just go out an hack with for a fortnight or so??
 
The trouble with 6 year olds, is that they are just the right age to start taking advantage and testing you out. As you have had his back and that done, i just think he wants to play and not work. I would just kick him on and make him get on with it.
 
Hi AmyMay, will definatly be doing that on the weekend
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perhaps that will get rid of some beans and he'll start concentrating.. hopefully!! hehe xx
 
Thanks Kal, I think your right, I think its my reluctance to push him on and worried about the 'what if he bucks' scenario. Will have to get my instructor on before he takes the biscuit anymore I think! xx
 
Do you think he could be testing out his `new` back and saddle. 5 weeks rest is quite a while for a young horse especially if he had been having issues. Perhaps a few days hacking and light schooling and bring him back into work gradually, and concentrating on walk and trot for a few days. He is possibly still anticipating a bit of pain. Obviously too if he had big problems with his canter, this will take time for him to realise that the `pain` has gone.
 
Went through the same thing with mine as a 6yr old. He'd had time off due to suspensory injury and viruses and when finally brought back into work he was very reluctant to do anything I asked. I put it down to a mixture of him remembering the pain and pure laziness. Now four years on I've decided he is just plain lazy and cheeky! Give him an inch and he'll take a mile.
It's hard having the confidence to sit and kick on but either you or your instructor need to. He sounds like he's having a great time!
 
Thanks guys! He really has had the life of riley! I think he thought he was in early retirement lol! Will get cracking and let you know how he goes
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xx
 
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