Anyone have a horse that only hacks if in front?

[exracehorse]

Title says it all really. Ex race horse (so can be an idiot at times) - I have had to hack out by myself as no one else down our yard but, now have two lovely other liveries. One said that she would come out with me so, I could show her some hacking routes. Both got on and the lady went in front with her mare (a mare he knows who is in the field next to him) - took 5 steps forward down the driveway and he suddenly put in a spin with the gravel flying everywhere. Turned him back the way he had come and he 'planted' and I mean, really planted, 100 million pony club style kicks later, he still wouldn't move. I cant use a crop as otherwise he freaks and threatens to rear. After an eternity, the lady took her mare back down the driveway and I then asked my lad to move forward, which he did. Had a pretty forward going hack as well, whenever I tried to go alongside and let her go ahead, he started to jig jog on the spot, threw his head up and got really agitated so, had to put him front again. I have no idea why he done this, any ideas?

 

[LadyLouise]

My old horse used to be like this, soon as another horse came along side he started to jog... i'd bounce along trying to ride through it and train him to calm down, but I would get so annoyed I would just go in front to make him chill and walk.

However I found out that when I went in a larger group, horses in front AND behind him, he rode a lot quieter (yes still exciting because hacking is obviously a very exciting thing)


I think its just testing and trying different training techniques and see what works best!

 

[TeamChaser]

Mine is a total pain behind! I ride and lead as I have 2 and whether I'm riding him or leading him, he pulls my arms out behind. Constantly wanting to go half stride faster, throwing his head, leaning on me ... my arms kill by the end of it. As soon as he's allowed to go in front, he's fine


It's pretty annoying and part of me wants to make the spoilt little git go behind, but it hurts, so I don't!! Thankfully my other boy doesn't care where he goes

 

[exracehorse]

What I cant understand is why he planted though? - If I had put him behind and he had played up, then yes I can understand but, to just say 'well if I cant go first, then am not moving' is really weird though. Worried it shall happen again. He totally tensed up and wouldn't take one step forward and if he could, tried to run back to his stables.

 

[Alyth]

I don't know why he planted either! I am sure you know the answer to your problems though!! Hack out, reduce the amount you are in front by gradually as he gets confident....play 'leap frog'.....keep turning around and going in the opposite direction....keep him busy doing other things, like half pass across the road and back again, just use your imagination!!! Good luck.

 

[DipseyDeb]

My boy seems happier in front, he won't ever refuse to go behind, but his body language changes, and he worries what's behind him. It's almost like he's prefers someone to be 'watching his back' just in case.