Bolshy pony

[StarFell]

I'm in need of a bit of help! My 8 year old fell pony has suddenly decided that since he's bigger than me, we're going to go where HE wants. He keeps dragging me all over the place, trying to get to grass. He's not hungry, as there's plenty of grass in his field. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why he's started being like this, and how I can stop him? I've had him for two years and he's never been like this before

 

[JenHunt]

he's just trying it on!! my sisters horse (who we;ve had for nearly 6 years) does it too and he's 16hh and built like the back end of a bus...

we use the old elbow in the ribs trick to distract him from the grass long enough to change which directionw e are walking in so he has to follow.

alternatively try leading in a bridle, or carrying a dressage stick and giving him a short sharp tickle with it just as he goes to tank.

 

[amzy]

You could buy a Kemp Controller, which does the same thing as the Monty Roberts dually halter, but is much cheaper. You just attatch it to your ordinary headcollar. It works for my bolshy pony.

 

[smellyellie741]

if its really bad try a chiffney thats what we do with the race horses

 

[hellybelly6]

My clydey x is like this and I got him a 'be nice' head collar and did lots of ground work with him in the school asking him to move forward, back and over when asked and to stop when asked and plenty of fuss when he does as asked.

If they try to run off when leading have your elbow in front of their shoulder and a short lead rope and dig your elbow into the shoulder when they get the message, release the pressure.

My horse now moves over on comand in the stable, sometimes a give him an encouraging poke with my finger if he ignores me and praise when he performs the task.

The key is repetition, consistency, not loosing temper and plenty of reward.

 

[Hanz]

The good old wrapping the leadrope around their nose and back through the headcollar always seems to work for me. Make sure it dosent get too tight though, and you loosen it off after you have got him under control again.

 

[Kallibear]

Ground work, and lots of it. Controller headcollars etc will deal with the symtoms in the meantime.

Why he's started it now it more difficult. Had he has a change of lifestyle? New horse arrived maybe?

If you're not sure what to do with groundwork, get an instructor out. Lessons are no more expensive than a traditional riding lesson and having someone to show you exactly what to do is invaluable. Most of those who teach ground work are NH orientated but that doesn't mean they are 'soft' (some will be of course) and 'treehuggy'.

 

[somethingorother]

erm i dont think its very responsible to be recomending chiffneys to anyone and everyone, there's a lot of people use them who dont know how to and it causes a lot of problems. Can cause rearing or damage horses jaw.

Nothing beats good old schooling, he doesn't sound as bad as some but if it's going to be difficult or dangerous to get him to do ground work in the first place you need to get his attention and stop him running over you. Had a dangerously bolshy fell (apparently) gelding on loan once and we carried a piece of hollow insulation foam which scared him off when he used to run over us. taught him a bit of respect for our space.

Also before chifneys a dog/ horse lead with a chain can be passed over nose through headcollar for a bit of extra 'OI!'

But there's not really a quick fix that works, you have to work at manners over time.
Also ours had to go to somewhere with winter turnout in the end, he was much better behaved when not cooped up all day- so check management side of things.

good luck

ETS: the foam was soft but made a loud noise as it went through the air or hit him. Different to the 'blue pipe' or whatever it is i've seen mentioned before.