Any Advice...pls?

[Honeypots]

A friend bought a little horse for her daughter. They are novice horse owners and the horse is relatively green for a 9 yr old. Good start eh?!!!
Anyhow..the little horse is a lovely sort but has a habit of shooting off every now and then. He is ridden in a continental on the second hole. They were told this was because he is green and to just reassure him and he'll stop which he does BUT the other day she had to do approx 10 circuits of the school before he did stop!! Out hacking today he suddenly shot off in canter towards some other horses. The girl couldn't stop him. He eventually stopped when she dropped her reins and grabbed round his neck!!! He also shot off when she was mounting and accidently bumped his bum with her foot. Apart from this, he's quite a laid back chap and very well behaved but I can't help feeling its all going to go pair shaped if she doesn't sort this out!! As yet, he hasn't scared her but IMO its only a matter of time before she hurts herself and his shooting off becomes bolting!!
Now, she reckons (I haven't seen him run off yet) when he shoots off he flings his head up and runs. He does carry his head high and I can see the beginnings of muscle under his neck. Am I right in thinking that this won't be helped with a continental? Would he better off in a pelham? Any ideas please?...

Incidentally, I have advised them to get him to a proffessional for some schooling which they will be doing asap (when they have the money)..

Oh and he's had a saddle fitted, his back checked and his teeth done although there was nothing much wrong with them..

 

[reynold]

yep - gag raises head, curb bit lowers head - so change to a kimblewick

or you could change to a stronger snaffle bit like a waterford ?

reschooling definitely

and a 9 yr old shouldn't be 'green' - it sounds like a 9yr old that has an existing 'behavioural problem' and needs sorting out

 

[vicijp]

If he stopped when she dropped the reins I would say it is a bit problem.
Lessons sound like a good idea, could be that he needs a simple snaffle, running martingale and some sort of alternative noseband.
I would say to them to ask the instructor to ride him and get a feel for the horse. If the muscles are starting to look suspect, lungeing with side reins/pessoa may be a good idea.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

i think lessons would be an excellent idea in this instance

 

[Honeypots]

Thanks everyone..
vicijp..I do think bit too.
He is the sweetest horse and I'm on a mission to steer them in the right direction. She told me tonight that her MIL is going to put up the money for him to go for schooling which is great news.
I'll work on a bit change