'cocky' youngster

[xxJessxx1990]

Hey everyone!
At the moment I have a 7 year old connie X, who we bought as a project but are having to sell him earlier than planned. He was broken earlier this year, and we have since ridden him away and done abit of hacking and started jumping. He has been quite straight forward just spooky at new fences.
We advertised him a few weeks ago and had loads of interest....the only trouble is it's been from the wrong kind of people!
Anyway, just lately he has got quite 'cocky', which i don't mind if he's just feeling well, and being confident. But the trouble is he's not the most confident at the same time, making him quite a hard ride, which is not ideal when trying to sell him!
He has started doing the occasional buck going into canter, and rushing/ballooning over fences, and being slighty nappy hacking. He doesn't feel nervous while doing so, more as though he's trying new tricks, as never did this before!
Has anyone else had a youngster go through a 'cocky' phase similar, and what did you do about it!? Because he is a lovely horse, who I really rate, and he's giving people the wrong impression...if that makes any sense!?
Any help appriciated, Thank you.

 

[BarmyC]

my mare went through a cocky period and i just had to sit tight and ride it through.

She used to rear when she didnt want to go somewhere or do something.

I just made sure that i did get to go past the place/do the thing i wanted.

Not really much help otherwise sorry

 

[Firewell]

My horse who is a lovely horse and normally a complete saint is being a right cocky so and so at the moment!

He will be lovely for a week or so and then gradually start cruising for a bruising. Just being nappy and spinning out hacking. Spooking and using it as an excuse to wack a large buck in and generally be gobby and not listening. It will get to the point where he has a good slap and gets worked hard through it and he will then be fine for a week before starting it all again!

I had a lesson today and he was a bit of a horror, tense and not wanting to concentrate, not really like him at all (usually he loves working!). My trainer said to tell him off he does something naughty but then ride him on like nothing as happened. I have to be quite firm at Getting him to move forwards when I say and to bend and listen when I say ect. I've basically got to stay calm and be pasive resistant so he learns to behave.

She said it's a typical stage they go through when they start to feel more confident and stronger (my horse is 5). She said I shouldn't worry but to sit tight and be firm and in 6 months time he should grow out of it. She said it's a typical youngster thing!!

I hope that helps x

 

[xxJessxx1990]

Thank you for the input!!
Thats what I was thinking. He's not nasty with it when he does it, it's just not ideal! haha
I have advertised him as being green, and needs bringing on and i've been getting people who need a schoolmaster...and i don't think that has helped. Having people on him who haven't corrected him when he gone a bit quick in to a fence etc, then i think he's picking up on new tricks! hah

 

[Firewell]

Forgot to add the grass coming through at the moment doesn't help. We had such a dry summer and now what with the rain we have had recently and then sunshine again the grass has come through suddenly and quickly and it's like rocket fuel.

The naughtiest horses at my yard at the mo ( even naughtier than my 5yr old) are a 15yr old Heavy weight ISH and a 16yr old 13.2 pony! The ISH was rearing in the school the other day and the pony is permanently wired. The grass really doesn't help when they ar going through their kevin stage!