Cure for Planting?

[Orangehorse]

Asking for a friend who wants a quiet pony now she is OAP. She has seen a nice 5 year old Highland that has done lots and lots of groundwork, clicker training, etc. but is very slow and reluctant in the school and will also plant and refuse to move when out on a hack.

I have never had this problem so didn't know how hard or easy it is to fix, and how long, or how for that matter.

The vendor is far keener on doing groundwork than riding as she has another horse she rides.

 

[Clodagh]

I would think a horse that won’t go forward is broken, as in physically, not broken in.

 

[Orangehorse]

Well it does get ridden and it goes out on hacks, but is reluctant. But that is a good answer.

 

[SEL]

Difficult one because I first thought when I read your post that there was something wrong with it but if the owner has mainly done groundwork I wonder if it really understands a ridden job.

We got a cob donated to the RS I was on livery at who the owners gave away because it wouldn't go forward. It had no idea of the aids at all. Poor pony was a fat lump but it didn't take long to get it to understand "go"

 

[ycbm]

I would always query PSSM with a cob that is reluctant to move.
.

 

[Equi]

I’d say a 5yo with issues is probably not what your friend is looking for if she’s looking to slow down.

 

[ihatework]

Impossible to say.
Could be a veterinary issue but could also just be a confused and unconfident pony badly trained.

 

[dottylottie]

first thought would be lack of confidence or understanding - diva planted her feet a couple of times the first 2 rides, and now less than 10 rides down the line it’s a struggle to keep her in walk!

 

[Boulty]

It’s a Highland… planting is their standard response when they don’t understand, are unsure about something or tbh when they’d just rather not.

There could be a physical issue somewhere or it could just be a training issue. Your friend knows best if they want to unpick that or not.

 

[Goldenstar]

Could be caused by so many things if physical it could cost a ton of money .

Let’s assume it’s a training issue .
Your friend needs to turn this on head and think about herself .
Does she enjoy fixing training issues is she brave and determined does she have a good grounding in how training works so she can identify the problems and think through fixing them.
Does she have the time .
Does she have access easily to everything you need to fix a horse with an issue , a school suitable hacking ,because you can’t deal with issues like this unless the hacking you have access to is suitable and safe for dealing with this type of issue .
Does she have access to another horse in case this horse needs to led from another horse for a while .
Does she have access to company when she needs it for hacking, a friend on ground available if and when she needs one .
What is it about this horse that means she is thinking of buying a horse that may have a frustrating and long term bad attitude to work .
Does she want to slog through this day after day because it may not be any sort of quick fix .

A spoilt badly started highland whose spent to much time being played with on the ground is backward in school and plants out hacking sounds like hell to me but if your friend is thinking she can’t wait to get stuck in and sort this out that’s one thing but if she wants to have a nice easy time enjoying her horse then that’s another and she should continue looking .

 

[VRIN]

If she is looking for a quiet pony to enjoy this probably isn't the one..

 

[LEC]

I do think there is a phenomenon now in training and especially horses being backed by inexperienced people that leads them to never learning the correct skills. The sports horses always have to be taught forwards and you don’t touch their mouths until you have true forwards and it’s can take time depending on their mind and physicality. I have had some who get it easily and others who have taken a bit more time because physically they find it tough so don’t see the point especially in an arena, which you have to start in to be safe as have no steering or aids in place. I have met a lot of horses who literally have no idea of true forwards (off the leg) as never been taught. My idea of off the leg is vastly different to someone else’s. I also think getting forwards can be a bit ugly and hard work. You need to be disciplined in staying on top of it and most people I know don’t do it well. I always liken it to potty training (not that I have had to do it ever). Teaching them just to sit on the potty isn’t enough. You need to build the skill set and understanding and keep at it every time.

Horses have to be inspired to be off the leg and built up as it’s really hardwork to begin with. It also then needs to be constantly looked at every day of their riding career as bad habits creep in.

 

[millitiger]

Could be pain.
Could also just be a pony that has been sat on l, rather than actually broken in.

Ether way, doesn't sound like the right pony for your friend.

 

[Maxidoodle]

Your friend needs to investigate further, my mare when she worries plants, however it is only when we are out on our own, it’s her go to response when she worries, then she’ll happily March on after figuring whatever it is out. I’d personally much rather have a horse that plants when worried, than spins and bogs off. I’m not discounting a physical issue with the highland but I would initially assume a training issue, especially if the current owner doesn’t do much with it.

My mare will March out lovely and never plants in company (even if she’s at the front), even with a foot soldier, it only ever happens when we are alone but I’m pretty chilled about it, as we are never in a hurry and we just sit it out and then she carries on fine, or I jump off and lead for a bit.

 

[dorsetladette]

If your friend really wants the pony. Is there room in her budget for a FULL vet check and a few weeks at a decent professional that understands M&M's.

It sounds to me that the pony has a few gaps in his training and the not wanting to go forward is probably due to that.

 

[Orangehorse]

I’d say a 5yo with issues is probably not what your friend is looking for if she’s looking to slow down.

That's exactly what she is worried about. At first sight it looks great for her, but she is worried.

 

[Orangehorse]

If your friend really wants the pony. Is there room in her budget for a FULL vet check and a few weeks at a decent professional that understands M&M's.

It sounds to me that the pony has a few gaps in his training and the not wanting to go forward is probably due to that.

That's what she hopes.

 

[cauda equina]

Does he plant 'at' things or just randomly?
One of mine used to plant if there was something he was worried about; I'd just hop off and lead him past, and the next time he'd be fine about the whatever it was