Anybody want a 16.2hh lump of arrogance......

[aidybex]

Well I'm about fed up.....just had yet another disatorous session with my horse. I had a lesson on him Friday which he became really stroppy and just refused to go on the bit and kept throwing himself around when asking for canter. It resulted in me getting off, lunging him in canter both reins then getting back on and he gave me a fantastic trot nicely on the bit.

Saturday we went hunting - more of this throwing himself about but was mostly good. Excelled himself through the really boggy ground so got a reprieve

Sunday - went for a little hack with my daughter leading - was A*

Monday - went for a nice long hack, mainly road work, mostly walking - again A*

Tuesday - day off felt he deserved it

Today - lunging on the pessoa. He went nicely on the left rein but was just a complete b*stard on the right rein. Wouldn't give me on circuit of canter - he stops, challenges me, then when I try to push him on by waggling the whip he rears and lunges at me.

No 1 stop is getting his teeth done. His back is fine that's recently been checked.

I'm just getting fed up of a losing battle with schooling him - any suggestions? Lunging is the only way I can keep him ticking over during the week.

 

[scatty_mare]

If you are sure there are no issues with his back/saddle can you try lunging him with two reins? That will stop him being able to turn in and challenge you and will also enable you to keep him on an even contact using both reins, and you don't need gadgets, although you can still use a pessoa (I think - never have!)

It does sound to me that if his only difficulty is cantering, and mostly cantering in an outline on a circle, that maybe something is hurting. I obviously don't know who checked his back, but physios and back people can vary greatly in what they do. If you haven't done so already my first port of call would be a good equine physio, just to make sure. Teeth is also a good idea. Then if you can rule all that out and you are sure it's just mickey taking, either get a pro to come a school him for you a couple of times in the week, or ride him like you mean it!

 

[aidybex]

I'll get it checked again then - I need to try and rule everything out!!

I must admit I do get a bit scared of him when he does it because he almost bounces me out the saddle!! It's not easy to sit too - hmmmm, my instructor has offered me boot camp LOL

 

[scatty_mare]

Ooh bootcamp sounds great! For you or for him?!

Sometimes it helps to just take a step back and remind ourselves that a horse is a horse, and that when they're being naughty it's not about us so no point getting wound up and taking it personally.
So when you say he's being a b*st*rd on the lunge, just remember that he's not doing it deliberately to annoy you. The reason he's doing it might be pain, might be excess energy, he might be cold, he might be insecure about something or pushing the boundaries, or he might be stressing about something else - that's what we've got to figure out - but the reason is never going to be because today he wants to be naughty and ;*ss you off for the hell of it! (They don't think like that!)

I don't mean that to sound patronising, it's just when I'm sitting on a naughty b*gger it helps me to remind myself it's not personal!

ETA - doesn't make it easier to sit to though! Is it a new thing?

 

[aidybex]

He only does it during my lessons on him, throws his head in the air so he's well above the bit then throws himself onto his outside shoulder......usually when asking for him to come onto the bit when cantering.

I don't find this patronsing at all - I'm really grateful for the advice and you've helped me calm down loads!! He is actually an amazingly genuine horse - it's very unlike him! The challenging me when lunging has been getting worse gradually over the last 3 months.

I think boot camp was for both of us - but not until I know none of his behaviour is pain related......

 

[Brownmare]

I obviously don't know who checked his back, but physios and back people can vary greatly in what they do. If you haven't done so already my first port of call would be a good equine physio, just to make sure. Teeth is also a good idea. Then if you can rule all that out and you are sure it's just mickey taking, either get a pro to come a school him for you a couple of times in the week, or ride him like you mean it!

You can have the best person in the world fix your horse's back and he can still go out the next day and break himself again - it's what they do best

I wouls definitely say it's pain related, but with the lunge thing it sounds like a different problem if you say it's been getting worse over 3 months. Perhaps a well-timed shot with a water pistol or a handful of pebbles might dissuade him? (After getting his other problem fixed first obs)