Annoyed and upset! Stupid horse!!

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lcharles

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My horse has always been known as 'quirky' and used to rear, spin and buck as a way of napping if he didnt want to do something but i've had him about 15 months now and he has stopped doing it now, apart from on the odd occassion but in general he is very good, although he will take advantage if he can.

I usual ride him in a waterford dutch gag with breastplate/martingale etc but ride in a full cheek french link for dressage (not that we do much!!).

On Saturday evening i thought i'd ride him for a bit before i went out and practise his flying changes. I put his dressage bridle on him, so full cheek french link, no martingale and no breastplate. I rode in my dubarrys so didnt have spurs either but thought he'd be ok because he has been recently and was only going to quickly ride him. My friend had been jumping in the indoor so i just carried on around the outside in walk and trot until she went out as jumping winds my horse up unless he's taking part!! Once she left, he seemed on edge a bit, but thats normal for him. He almost panics that he's been left on his own but settles again usually. I changed the rein and asked for canter, he flew up in the air, reared up and walked backwards into the side of the school, nearly sending me over the top :eek: I sat still on him, as i always do when he has a paddy and then he launched himself into a broncing fit sending me flying out the side door!! This is the first time he's had me off in ages, i was really annoyed at him as he's came so far but also annoyed that i hadnt haad my spurs, his proper bridle etc on as i feel that when i was doing my walk/trot transitions when my friend was still in there, as he had a weaker bit in, i wasnt in as much control and he could tell this. I don't know if he took advantage of this? I cant always ride him in a strong bit though - just in case!

He's really knocked my confidence and im really pee'd off!! I think its bothered me this time as he nearly went over the side of the arena and thats just pure dangerous and im angry because he's let me down! I usually love this horse so much and he is my life but yesterday and today i actually hate him!!

I should of rode him yesterday but i was hungover in a bad way lol x I lunged him instead and i could tell he had a lot of energy so maybe he was taking advantage of lack of correct tack and that he knew i wasn't as able to stop as otherwise. I also havent been able to do much fast work with him as the ground is pants so maybe he's just loaded with life!! He's also in 24/7 because he hates being out and just churns it all up if i put him out at the moment.

What do i do?

Oh, ive had his teeth done recently, feet etc are all fine. I might have his saddle looked at again but it was only done a few months ago and i think he played up because he thinks he can!!
 
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Keep him in the other tack for now. Reduce his hard feed while he's in. Can you turn him out in the school to stretch his legs?
 
Sorry for you OP - that would scare the c*** out of me too! No fabulous advice, but I agree I think he is just loaded up with life and maybe for now a lunging session before a ride may be in order to take the edge off him.

Either that or put him on a calmer for a few months until the Spring arrives.

Either way - stay safe!
 
With all this odd weather we are having at the moment there is spring grass in the fields and so IMHO we can all expect them to be full of beans in a way we'd not normally expect in Jan!
With lots of energy I'd totally agree with lots more exercise and less feed (unless he has weight issues obviously)
My dear boy reared up as I was leading him in, dragged the rope out of my hands with a waving front hoof and proceeded to plough the grass in front of the stable doing spanish horse impressions yesterday! He's certainly feeling the grass!
 
Amymay, he is ridden 6 days a week for at least an hour. I do turn him out in our outdoor school after he's been ridden while i muck out but he just stands at the gate. If i put him in the field he either gallops up and down trashing the field and could do a tendon or jumps out and runs back to his stable. He is hunting again on wednesday and is hunting fit so hoping this will take the edge off of him again. Nothing has changed for him since October, he has probably gone out three times since and he hasnt acted like this for ages, not since maybe June when i asked him to jump a coffin on our xc course and he had a paddy!!

I can try to reduce his hard feed but he needs it to keep weight on. I will ride him again tonight with his normal bridle on but he does need to be ridden in a dressage bridle sometimes obviously.
 
Amymay, he is ridden 6 days a week for at least an hour
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Fair enough. I thought from the tone of your op that perhaps he wasn't ridden as much as he needed.

Obviously if he's hunting fit, and in more or less 24/7 then he's going to need to the work to keep him 'right'. Had you already exercised on Saturday morning?
 
I'm not sure how a harsher bit would have prevented him from rearing up :confused:

He doesn't sound like a happy horse at all to be honest. I am not sure how you would go ahout changing that, if he won't stay out. Does having company in his field make a difference to him?
 
You think a waterford gag and spurs would have helped in that situation? I expect that he would have been worse! That is an exceptionally severe bit. But back to what he did. I think it was nothing to do with taking advantage due to you not having him in a severe bit and spurs :rolleyes:.

It was a paddy/panic reaction. My old mare did it with me the other day. It was the first time riding with another horse in the arena in over three years (she's been injured). The other horse went out. It was slightly windy and so she became a bit scared suddenly on her own and wanted to follow. When I prevented her, she had a paddy (reared, spun and then broncked). I knew exactly what caused it and so will avoid the situation for the time being, until she is more established in her work again.
 
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Also in agreement dont thinks spurs would of helped
I think its just time of year with the added extra of the horse going out just sounds like he had a massive strop!
My mare can be a quirky moo, just depends on the day/mood shes in. (Everyday is differnent with her :D)
I would just carry on. Ride with your other bridle for now, when schooling i would make sure its quite a intense session, keep him thinking, but it may of been a one off perhaps?
 
If hunting fit & fully stabled except for an hours exercise most days then its not massively suprising. And given the tack normally required to 'be in control' it wouldn't be a massive assumption to say he's lacking in the schooling department. No idea what difference spurs would have made, spurs are for refined & precise leg aids, so no idea why wearing them would have been of use?
I'd cut the feed right back, turn him out with a companion & hay so he wants to be out for longer, & get some help from an instructor. If you need all that on him to ride at home on the flat, then its likely his energy so far has been going into fighting the tack & rider, rather than carrying himself. Get some help so you can teach him to use that pent up energy to actually work.
 
Sorry, what i mean is that even though he has a strong bit its more of a precaution! I can stop him in it and he works better with it. Rather than constantly pulling at him with a softer bit. He doesnt really need such a strong bit but when he is an arse i need it! When he broncs, i can control him and get him back again but with a full cheek he knows that i have less control and cant get his head back up.

Again, with spurs they help me to get him to work better and more responsive, so listening to me better. I think from the start of when i rode him, i didnt ride him as well as usual. I usual get him collected and responding but i couldnt get him working the same because he runs through the bit and i didnt have the same leg contact without riding boots and spurs.

Hes the type that takes advantage and i think thats what he did. It is my fault to a degree that i should of either put his other bridle on when i knew he was running through but i'd rather work on it rather than using his other bit. I also dont want to have to ride in spurs and a strong bit all the time.

M&S, he hates being out at the moment. I've put him out with 4 others but he stands by the gate, charges around or jumps out! He's also been out on his own before and makes no difference. He's an opinionated horse and he knows what he wants.

Wagtail, i think thats the same as mine. Just annoyed that he's gone backwards, or so it seems. I think that having jumps in the indoor that we werent jumping, a softer bit so i had less control and he knew this! Then the other horse left and usually i'd keep him focused on his work but lack of tack didnt help this so when i asked for canter he exploded! He did it right by the exit door where the horse had left. We have two exit doors.
 
Flicker said:
How is his back?
As he was fine until you asked for canter, this might point to a pain issue?
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He's had his back done, nothing really came up as an issue and he gets a 6 weekly massage too. His paddys are normal for him but have become less severe and less frequent. He hasnt done it for ages and think he just upset me this time more because we nearly went over the side of the school and he's came along so much i'm annoyed!!
 
My feeling is that the key is that you did not have his full attention at walk and trot, so he was quietly gathering amunition against you. Your friend left (more amunition added to the pile) You asked for canter - hello ding dong, tipping point reached and all hell broke out. This horse needs to pay attention to you, you need to know you have his mind on you before moving on and diluting any partial control you have. It is easily done, I have ended up on the floor due to an ill judged canter transition :)
 
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The_angel_littlelegs said:
If hunting fit & fully stabled except for an hours exercise most days then its not massively suprising. And given the tack normally required to 'be in control' it wouldn't be a massive assumption to say he's lacking in the schooling department. No idea what difference spurs would have made, spurs are for refined & precise leg aids, so no idea why wearing them would have been of use?
I'd cut the feed right back, turn him out with a companion & hay so he wants to be out for longer, & get some help from an instructor. If you need all that on him to ride at home on the flat, then its likely his energy so far has been going into fighting the tack & rider, rather than carrying himself. Get some help so you can teach him to use that pent up energy to actually work.
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He wont stay out in the field, he hates it! He hasnt been out for ages and has always lived in more than out even before i bought him. I dont think it would make any difference.

He is well schooled, just opinionated and has moments!! x He competes up to 1.30m and a horse needs to be pretty well schooled to get around a course that size and technical. Even out hunting he is pretty controlled and calm and doesnt fight me or his tack. He just knows i have control and wont try anything! For example, if i put a chifney on him to lead him out to his field (because he hates his field!) he wont try anything!! If i just had a headcollar on, he'd spin and charge back to his stable. So the chifney works without having to really use it as he knows im in control, with just a headcollar he knows he can rear/spin etc to get away. I can put a chifney on him with no rope attached to it because he knows i have the control. Same as my bit, it isnt used as a strong bit because he works very well in it and i'd rather let him listen to my seat and be able to hold him if i need to that yanking on him and getting into a dangerous situation by using a softer bit that isnt as effective. He just takes advantage.
 
RebelRebel said:
My feeling is that the key is that you did not have his full attention at walk and trot, so he was quietly gathering amunition against you. Your friend left (more amunition added to the pile) You asked for canter - hello ding dong, tipping point reached and all hell broke out. This horse needs to pay attention to you, you need to know you have his mind on you before moving on and diluting any partial control you have. It is easily done, I have ended up on the floor due to an ill judged canter transition :)
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Yes i think thats what it was. I should of got him listening more, i was trying to do transitions with him to get him listening but i think it was timed wrong with canter!! I got back on him after and cantered twice more which was better but it was not his usual nice canter, he was all hetted up and i was all put out but wanted to finish on a better note.
 
Jumping & hunting though he has an outlet & focus for his energy. Whereas on the flat he sounds like instead of carrying himself, his energy is going into pratting about. He needs instead to put 100% into the flatwork.
 
No horse hates being out, I refuse to believe. They may be conditoned to stand in a 12x12 box for 24hrs a day, but given space, forage, company and adequate shelter/rugging I think the majority of horses will choose to be out.
If your yard can't provide adequate turnout for him (ie all you have is churned up mud paddocks and no grazing/hay to put out) then perhaps think about moving?
You cannot not hate him for having a wee moment, in responce to this maybe lunge him before you get on?

I still think you would solve your probs by cutting off hard feed, upping the forage and turning it out!!

As for the tack you ride in, school school. I really think a Waterford gag as an everyday bit (ie rather than for hunting/xc where control can go) is too much, for should be able to school him in less than this, especially if you are ata level of doing flying changes?
He should be switched on to your slightest change in seat if he is schooled to this level and wearing spurs should not affect his attention on you.

I think you have a tonne of underlying issues which is equally an unhappy horse.
 
Buds_mum said:
No horse hates being out, I refuse to believe. They may be conditoned to stand in a 12x12 box for 24hrs a day, but given space, forage, company and adequate shelter/rugging I think the majority of horses will choose to be out.
If your yard can't provide adequate turnout for him (ie all you have is churned up mud paddocks and no grazing/hay to put out) then perhaps think about moving?
You cannot not hate him for having a wee moment, in responce to this maybe lunge him before you get on?

I still think you would solve your probs by cutting off hard feed, upping the forage and turning it out!!

As for the tack you ride in, school school. I really think a Waterford gag as an everyday bit (ie rather than for hunting/xc where control can go) is too much, for should be able to school him in less than this, especially if you are ata level of doing flying changes?
He should be switched on to your slightest change in seat if he is schooled to this level and wearing spurs should not affect his attention on you.

I think you have a tonne of underlying issues which is equally an unhappy horse.
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His field is ok and in the summer he is happy being out for a while with the sun on his back. He is a wimp that hides in his stable as soon as it starts spitting with rain! I've put him in the front field before which doesnt churn up as easy as the grass is course and longer but he just stands at the gate neighing! Even with others, he just doesnt like being out! In the summer he will go out more but no point risking him hurting himself for the sake of it x

He improved his counter canter for dressage but this meant his flying changes lost effectiveness so wanted to just go over them in a non-jumping situation thats all.

Will see how we get on tonight. I dont want to change anything with his tack as it works well in it usually and he has been constanly improving until saturday! I think that maybe i'll try cut the food a little but and see how he is after hunting. Think it just bothered me more because he's been doing so well and hes a very clever, talented horse so it annoys me when he doesnt concerntrate his energy in the right direction!

Oh and his stable isnt just a stable, its like a pen so has a 14 x 14 stable with a concrete area about 20 x 14 at the front so although it isnt the same as being out he still moves around more than being confined to a stable.
 
The_angel_littlelegs said:
If hunting fit & fully stabled except for an hours exercise most days then its not massively suprising. And given the tack normally required to 'be in control' it wouldn't be a massive assumption to say he's lacking in the schooling department. No idea what difference spurs would have made, spurs are for refined & precise leg aids, so no idea why wearing them would have been of use?
I'd cut the feed right back, turn him out with a companion & hay so he wants to be out for longer, & get some help from an instructor. If you need all that on him to ride at home on the flat, then its likely his energy so far has been going into fighting the tack & rider, rather than carrying himself. Get some help so you can teach him to use that pent up energy to actually work.
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This ^^^^.

He sounds like a very unhappy horse.
 
Sounds full of energy!
Turn him out.
More exercise, even if that starts with lunging and long lining.
If he is in 24/7 insure that he gets exercised twice a day.
plus leg stretches in between.

Reduced feed.
 
Many horses dislike being out in a muddy field, but I agree that it is that thing and about a fit horse and not enough work. OK, he WAS naughty and it was nasty. Cut his feed right back and more work ............................................

The year has turned now, the nights are starting to get lighter, the weather is mild. All the horses are going "yipee............................"
 
Thanks everyone.

I think i find it frustrated which annoys me because 18 months ago no-one could ride him, he was a demon horse and now he's focused his energy he's done so well and every day he has made me smile and proud of him so him doing that was like a reminder of how he was when i first got him and partly my fault for not riding him correctly enough so he took advantage.

I'll lunge him tonight, then ride him and work on the flat again and see what happens. Hopefully he'll be back to his lovely ways!! I'll cut his food back by half and hunt him on Wednesday, he's showjumping again on saturday so i'll just ride him tonight like nothing happened and see!!

Not alot knocks my confidence but that did. I understand that maybe its just the time of year and he may have extra energy but it doesnt make his behaviour ok. 85% of the horses are in 24/7 at the moment. If he's an idiot tonight then i'll turn him out, if he likes it or not and will have to put the tape up higher somehow. I guess even if he gallops up and down it'll burn some energy i just worry he'll hurt himself!
 
Sounds pretty scary - I don't blame you for feeling rattled. However don't feel this is a step back, it sounds as though you've both been working hard and he wants to cut loose a bit! Can't expect perfection from what is made from flesh and blood :-)
You mentioned at beginning of thread that you were in your dubarrys and using pared back tack, perhaps you felt a little underequipped and were a bit tense about what was going on around you and maybe horse picked up on a this? I'm not schooling to your level but whenever things have kicked off with my boy I know I've rushed things or wasn't 100% on it, so to speak.
 
Possibly Smudge. I usually make sure i have all the proper stuff as he is known for being flightly and i did feel that he was tense, i usually just work him through it and he comes sweet again and works really well when you channel his energy properly. Without his usual tack it is alot harder to keep him focused and concerntrating.

Amymay, i don't really trust anyone else to ride him tbh. He's only just at a point where I can let my friend ride him around to cool off when i've finished riding him while i ride hers. A professional event rider (i wont name him) rode him for me about 9 months ago and he got him off 6 times before getting to the xc course by rearing, bucking, spinning etc. Once he settled he was fine but he always has to test the rider to the extreme each time and i wouldnt want someone to get hurt - although he is generally best behaved with other people in the indoor. I also dont want him to get away with anything and go backwards as he has been doing so well. I wouldnt let someone ride him unless i was there.


I'll see how he gets on, want to let him have some time off soon as well. Maybe a week in February. He's worked quite hard recently
 
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