Advice Wanted - It's all gone wrong!

OP, bite the bullet and get someone out who deals with these problems day in and day out.

Not only will they help you solve this issue they will install confidence in you as well, as you said yourself you are now worried about your ponies behaviour.

I would say get someone like Michael peace out (google him) I have heard only wonderful things about this chap.

You could take advice on here, which may or may not help, struggle on and make matters worse for the both of you or just get someone who CAN help straight away. I would go with the latter.

Best of luck.x
 
I am a fan of chiffeys, and I fail to see how they can break a horses jaw used by an experienced handler. If this horse is behaving in this rude and nasty manner one quick reminder is better than perservering down the other routes suggested. I would not suggest that the OP uses it, rather she spends half an hour with someone used to this behaviour, which is totally unexeptable. A lunge line gives a horse like this the momentum to get away. Having stood stallions at stud, in those days I was mere 8 stone, I wouldnt have had a cat in hells chance of holding them in anything else.
 
Hat, gloves, BP (and steelies) a lunge line and a lungewhip. Everytime he tries it chase him out with the whip so that he is out of your space and cannot connect. Once he has stopped reel him in and start again.

Oh and a good skelp with the lungewhip if he tries to stay where he is will soon make him rethink.

Hope you heal soon sounds painful

Nikki x :)
 
The first time he was in a Be-Nice! Quote OP

If you bought him with a Be-Nice I would be very angry with who ever sold you the pony. If you put one on it may be down to you and who ever sold it to you, if you 'are a novice rider and handler'.:mad:

Be-Nice halter cause no end of problems and are over sold as answer when they just make things worse long term.
 
pastie2 said:
I am a fan of chiffeys, and I fail to see how they can break a horses jaw used by an experienced handler. If this horse is behaving in this rude and nasty manner one quick reminder is better than perservering down the other routes suggested. I would not suggest that the OP uses it, rather she spends half an hour with someone used to this behaviour, which is totally unexeptable. A lunge line gives a horse like this the momentum to get away. Having stood stallions at stud, in those days I was mere 8 stone, I wouldnt have had a cat in hells chance of holding them in anything else.
Click to expand...

An experienced handler yes BUT this person is a novice so advising her to use a chifney is inappropriate and negligent.

Also using a lunge line is dangerous with a horse that kicks out, remember we are talking to a novice here. This pony is known for barging off and kicking out, and no one is stronger than a horse on a mission. Once a horse knows it can get away with something it will keep doing it.

Gadgets like chifneys are quick fixes IMO, they smoother the cause but do nothing to sort the sympton.

Rather than just use severe objects wouldn't it be better to find out why the pony reacts this way, what sets it off and work together to overcome it in a more positive way. Using force usually gets greeted with force.

The pony has learned to use his strength and be bolshy and if restricted kicks out. A chifney will restrain him but with consquences (especially in a novices hands) and the problem will still be there.

Just to clarify.... The person I know is a Yard Owner who uses a chifney and chain is no friend of mine and never will be.. I hate the way she handles horses, she is a total novice, never handled horses for 2O yrs then decided to run a stud / livery yard... the mind boggles...

I'd suggest talk to someone at your yard who you have a good judgement of that does know what they are doing and is experienced around horses. Ask fi htey have some spare time to help you. If there is no one you can ask then look up some horse behavourists, see if any can be recommended to you.

Also try to find someone who has not only good horses skills but people skills as well.
 
We had one that used to tank off when being led, he didnt try to kick you but just put his head down and went. I got wrapped around the stable door by him and pulled clean off my feet, winded on a gate post, you name it! But I found a couple of ways of stopping him which might help you

Do still get professional help! But the things that helped me:

- keep him on a very short lead so you are right up by his head. dont let him get a mm in front of you. At worst if gives you vital seconds to get out of his way because he's got to get past you to kick you

- keep his head turned towards you so its curved towards you. ie get it so close his nose is touching you! (you can stick your elbow into the base of his neck to help turn his head towards you) and remember short leadrope at all times!

Also in your case with the kicking:

- lead him from the opposite side - it sounds like he's used to chucking his head right and then taking aim. It might just confuse him enough that you are on the 'wrong side' of him.

- Definitely either put a bridle or wrap headcollar with lead rope/chain round his nose to give you a bit of help

I personally think you will always have to be careful with him even if you develop strategies to overcome it. Our one used to know when someone new was leading him and would revert. Good luck!
 
KS1 said:
An experienced handler yes BUT this person is a novice so advising her to use a chifney is inappropriate and negligent.

Also using a lunge line is dangerous with a horse that kicks out, remember we are talking to a novice here. This pony is known for barging off and kicking out, and no one is stronger than a horse on a mission. Once a horse knows it can get away with something it will keep doing it.

Gadgets like chifneys are quick fixes IMO, they smoother the cause but do nothing to sort the sympton.

Rather than just use severe objects wouldn't it be better to find out why the pony reacts this way, what sets it off and work together to overcome it in a more positive way. Using force usually gets greeted with force.

The pony has learned to use his strength and be bolshy and if restricted kicks out. A chifney will restrain him but with consquences (especially in a novices hands) and the problem will still be there.



I'd suggest talk to someone at your yard who you have a good judgement of that does know what they are doing and is experienced around horses. Ask fi htey have some spare time to help you. If there is no one you can ask then look up some horse behavourists, see if any can be recommended to you.

Also try to find someone who has not only good horses skills but people skills as well.
Click to expand...


Such sensible advice.
 
KS1 Pastie did specifically say that the OP as a novice shouldn't tackle this herself but should get someone experienced to help her.

I don't think it is appropriate to simply approach someone on the yard who is more experienced as you suggest. Unless someone else is currently handling him without difficulty (YM at full livery perhaps) in which case it would sound like he is taking advantage of an inexperienced handler and can be sorted with a bit of training of the handler.

From the OP it sounds like this horse is potentially very dangerous and simply asking some random person to help could lead to an accident and an insurance claim. I think the OP should arrange for someone who is an expert in dealing with problem horses to help her on a professional basis. So there is no question of insurance or liability, the OP doesn't want it on her conscience if this horse injures someone.

There have been lots of suggestions on the thread, a Kelly Marks RA, Michael Peace, or Richard Maxwell would all be well qualified to help with this sort of issue and not just train the horse but also the handler. Alternatively a good experienced instructor who deals with groundwork, but many don't deal with ground work and are not used to dealing with horses like this, if you go down this sort of route perhaps look for one with experience of handling stallions or breaking in youngsters rather than someone who has spent their career dealing with riding school ponies.

OP have you spoken to the previous owner? What do they say? I think their response will be very telling.
 
OP this sounds like a bolshy naughty pony who thinks he can get away with behaving badly.

Forget Be Nices and chiffneys they will only make matters worse. My suggestion to you is that you find a large, strong and confident horse handler who will get lead your horse for you, close to, in a bridle and short line or lead rope and be ready for the spin. At this pont the pony needs a good smack on the arse to straighten it again and to pull it up sharply to a standstill.

Sorry if this offends anyone but sometimes theres far too much over analysis on here....the pony is NAUGHTY and needs to know it cant get away with this.
 
OP if you are certain there are no pain issues I do think you need to take a firmer hand, it may not even need to involve chifneys or Be Nice halters or anything other than a "grrrr" and pushing him back a few steps (which works for our pony).

I know our pony is not experiencing any pain issues but our sharer is struggling because she lets him get away with things, and the more he thinks he can get away with the further he pushes it, I believe that is the nature of many ponies.
 
miss_bird said:
If you are going to keep him, get some help.
Have you tried a chifney and a lunge line, that way you have the room to move without letting go of the horse
Click to expand...

Don't attach a lunge line onto the chifney bit, because if he gets loose or stands on the line, he could easily rip his mouth.

We lead difficult horses with the long line attached to a headcollar, together with a short rope, (that is short enough not to be trodden on if the horse gets loose) attached to the chifney.
 
Op has already got kicked in the face by this pony, when she was already using a bridle to lead him. Maybe it would be a good idea for her to get some expert on-site help, because next time she might not be so lucky.
 
You do need proper help, and you will need to pay for a RA or someone to come out to you. In the meantime, get someone confident and experienced to lead him. Someone who won't let him get far enough in front of them to kick out.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top