dangerous or just pratting about big time?

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Always Blue

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my Horse Blue is a 16.2hh, big huge chunky ID X WB gelding, who is rising 14 yrs, have owned for few months so dont fully know him yet. this morning we hacked out on own...nappy and trying to spin going out of yard..but made him walk on...Blue is always very forward going, quite silly as in looks at things he has seen 100 times before ie parked cars, things in gardens etc etc, anyway to cut a long story short he decided he seen something and wanted to turn around and head for home (halfway through ride)....so I said NOOO and tryed to turn him to go my way...so he REARED...all way up I managed to do an organised departure from his back and landed on my feet on floor luckily - also horse fine didn't fall backwards etc..so found a wall got back on...and walked him the way I wanted to go..bit nappy and hesitant but finally managed to get him to walk on. fine on way back..just his usual joggy, bouncy, forward, looky self....so any advice appreciated guys.
also to add that He is a great horse to ride in company albeit joggy and forward, and I would say I am not a brill rider but also not a novice either. and certainly not nervous else he would have knocked my confidence big time today!! hehe! :)
any advice appriciated. Thanks
 
if he was mine I would have done a circular route and when you got back home keep going and do the route again!

Trotting on helps if they are being a bit idle and backwards, try and sit a little behind the movement so you are safe from jinks and dropped shoulders!

I would take him out again tomorrow and really be very positive about him going where you want- it doesn't matter if it is a bit quick to start with but he needs to go forward when you say.
 
sounds like he is taking the pee...
Could you be hanging onto his mouth at all when he naps? That may explain the rear - if you're pushing him forward but holding his mouth, the only way he can think of going is up. Just get him going forward all of the time, and napping, spooking etc, push him forward through it. Forget any deas about getting him into outlines and working properly etc till you have him respecting your ideas of hacking, then bring the outlines etc back in slowly. could it be that the hacks bore him? is he doing enough out to tire him or can you push it another notch (longer hacks, more trotting, any bridleways etc?) so he is concentrating more on working than on spooking?
also do you carry a whip? a slap on the shoulder as you feel a spook comming on usually sorts it out before it starts..
 
Id say putting it on too. Ive found new horses seem to be really angelic for the first couple of months and then test the water once theyve found their feet.
My current horse was a baby and took to napping if I wanted to take him in the school, then did it on the road and backed into a car!. He progressed to going backwards at speed running into whatever was in his way. Tried the usual make him keep going backward, turning him in a circle etc, then one day gave him a sharp crack with the whip. All timed wrong, he bucked... high and threw me off. I ended up in hospital as I thought Id fractured my shoulder. Luckily only torn ligaments so next time, body protector on I timed it right and instead of bucking he shot forwards and thankfully never napped again.
Ive never had to deal with a horse that rears so not sure really how to deal with that.
 
Classic napper. Next time he tries to turn put your right hand behind your right knee-or vice versa (cant physically turn or rear and is a good trick with little twits!! :)) Good luckx
 
Trying it on I'm afraid. Grass is coming through and he probably fancies his chances. Rearing isn't allowed though whatever. I'd be tempted with a pair of blunt spurs and I would be trotting all the way away from home too.
 
Glad he was better this morning.
Ours can be the same - fantastic one day but complete and utter planks the next at things that haven't even changed, like fences, cars, road markings...! :o I usually just sit tight and try and be quite light in the saddle, but firm as well, pushing her on.
K x
 
I just want to congratulate you on getting back on and continuing - well done - I went out today for the 1st time in 3 months - had my husband walking with me for confidence though!!
 
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