Bolshy Pony

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Ladybird

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Any tips on how to nip bolshiness in the bud before it gets any worse?

I have a lovely 12.3hh welsh x that's usually good as gold, if not a bit stubborn, however tonight he proceded to barge past me out of his stable (to be dragged back in by his forelock) and shove me around on the way back to the field.

Instead of turnout he then got 15 minutes in the school learning how to move backwards when asked, the end result was a v. sweaty human and a pony that can now take two steps back with my full body weight pushing against him!

Any tips on how I can do it a little more productively?
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A trick I've used before with success, for asking a pony to move backwards out of my space, is to fill an empty plastic coke bottle with gravel and shake it at him. I know, sounds a bit lame, but it's suprisingly effective and does work. Make yourself big, wave your arms, stamp your feet, Really MEAN it, use your inner energy. Or you could buy a dually, again just to reinforce your request. It does sound as though he needs some general groundwork. There's no point just shoving him backwards by using your bodyweight, even at 12.2 he's a lot stronger than you...good luck!!
 
I have a robert maxwell pressure halter. He used to be very bolshy when he wanted to. Did alot of work on the ground with it (came with a DVD) and he will now walk right by my side, then stop when i stop and walk backwards when i do, moves away if i move towards him with the halter on. He also now loads pretty much on his own (no more dragging around) and he is nice to take to field on his own and other horses
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I know shoving backwards is pointless, it was sheer frustration!

I made myself as big as I could, I ended up barging straight into him!

Pressure halter would probably be a good idea!
 
I know what you mean. You have to get on top of his behaviour before it becomes the norm. This is what I love about ponies, they are generally so bright and canny and quick to pick things up, it's just a matter of channeling that intelligence and turning it round before it gets out of hand. They respond so well to nice reward, strokes and rubs etc., but sometimes you have to get a bit tough before you get to that point. How old is he?
 
My boy got like this when he was about 3 yrs old, I found the Richard Maxwell training books very good, they teach you to put your hands up in the air and out, to make your self look bigger, also teach the horse to move back by pushing on his chest, dont let them rub on you and your have to be a bit harsh for a while and no really close contact, which was hard for me as mine loves giving kisses!
 
If its not too hippyish I'd suggest a combination of a pressure halter and clicker training. That way you can reward the tiniest of steps backwards and pony will quickly be offering more of what you want to get another treat. D will move backwards when i enter her stable or before I put her feed in just by me making a kissing noise to her. I even taught her to "fetch" using clicker training when i was bored one summer.
 
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