calming down hyper horse

[moodymare123]

As per title really.
Connie x cob is definatly the most sharpest pony I've rode- sometimes as good as gold other times he is like a child with a sugar rush; and takes off whenever he pleases and constantly jogs (white knuckles after riding!)- not pain related as everything is up to date.
Any ideas on how to keep him calm or feeds?
Thanks!

 

[ellie_e]

Whats it fed? How oftern is it worked?

 

[moodymare123]

Just chaff and pasture atm- and about 5-6 times a week !

 

[forestfantasy]

Chaff (if molassed) & pasture mix are quite sugary so that could explain his fizzyness.
Try switching to a very low sugar diet.
My mare can't cope with sugary cereals so i have to feed A&P Sugar and cereal intolerant diet and she is a different horse.

Hay or haylage? Again if he's on haylage this could be fizzing him up.

 

[moodymare123]

Hay atm!

 

[kittykatcat]

Sounds a bit weird and wafty, but the best thing my super stressy hyper tb responds to is breathing. Nice deep in and out breaths, and just thinking, slow, slow, slow. Sitting heavy in to the seat and wrapping my top leg round him. If I held on to him so my knuckles were white (i.e. very tense!) then it would make him 1000 times worse.... Sometimes just letting go of the reins altogether and using your body and seat works better than holding on to the mouth....

 

[sleepykitten]

Have you tried a magnesium based calmer?

 

[Firewell]

He's not in pain at all?
My last horse went through a bit of a nut job phase and it turned out her saddle was hurting her.
Other than that regular work and routine, don't always canter in the same places make sure you walk some days. Schooling, regular lessons, getting him to respond to your seat and get him used to working in a soft, relaxed way will
help .