Desperately seeking advice on bolshy/difficult youngster

colouredkc

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Hi everyone

I have been browsing topics on here for a while and read a few topics similar too this and having taken on board some advice, I am still having great difficulty with my boy.

Hes rising 5, and backed but has only done very light work under saddle.
He came to me unaware of what lunging was (somewhat), at first he had absolutely no idea what I was asking for and without a round lunge pen, it took me a while to get him understanding but once he understood he picked it up instantly with very little command so I am thinking that maybe as a youngster he had been lunged but hadn't done anything since other than be backed etc.

Owner wanted to sell because she was having a difficult time with him, she's small and he knows he is stronger than her and often tanked off in hand with her. As a result she lost alot of confidence around handling him and turned him away rather than make the problem any bigger.

I have led him up to the yard to be tied up, the first time I attempted this he tanked off on the way back, he wouldn't tie up so I decided enough was enough and not to groom etc, just to take him straight back to field, and he got a bit prancy and silly whilst leading but was controllable and then out of the blue just took off, and he has very little in the way of fear and at times I thought he would actually run through me if I hadn't moved. I decided he needed taking back to basics, so started some lunging which we are doing well with currently, but he is reluctant to lunge counter clockwise, whether that is because he is somewhat stiff (he does seem a little stiff), or whether it's through the way he was trained to lunge as a youngster (just on one rein) I don't know.

Now what I am mainly getting at is, I am now afraid to bring him up to the yard atall unless accompanied with friends who own horses themselves, and even if accompanied I refuse to bring him up whilst other horses are on the yard. School work goes ok if I can successfully get him from field to school without him tanking off, but is he seens another horse, or hears another hrose, he goes into complete nutcase mode, he starts pacing at the gate looking as if he is going to jump which with previous owner , he had done so. And because he is 15.2/3 he is impossible to stop, he will just walk through and over you, and if you attempt to regain control of him he rears up (not just a little rear, a full on almost toppling over rear)

I haven't completely lost my confidence with him but I know it is going to end up that way if I don't nip this in the bud. I have to groom him in his field because I know he won't stand nicely or tie up in the yard, particuarly with other horses around.

Another point I should mention is that his back and teeth have been checked, HOWEVER he does have a large sarcoid on his flank that I am thinking perhaps when he moves and/or is exercising it is causing him too much discomfort? I have used Medi-Talc to try and dry it out, also attempted to get a band on but he kicks very hard (poor soul in so much pain :( ) I am thinking of calling the vet out to reassess it because it is getting bigger and opening now and I really don't want him in any more pain than he is already with it, however last time (when it wasn't much smaller than it is now), they suggested banding it and gave owner the bands needed to do so, but obviousley neither of us can get near it.

He is a beautiful boy and so friendly in his field, very respectful and sweet, but out of the field he turns into what seems to be a feral pony! Any help greatly appreciated.
 
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How long have you had this horse?

It sounds like his very basic training is missing a few ideals. I would try doing some basic groundwork with him - getting him to move his feet around on your command, move him forwards, backwards, sideways, turning on forehand and haunches. Everytime you lead him and he moves into your space you should back him up. Everytime he moves somewhere you don't want him to be (i.e. too far in front of you when leading) then you should back him up until he realises you are in control. Use a long lead rope or lunge line in case he runs off or pulls the rope through your hands. You don't need much space to do this - you could start off just at the other side of the gate to the other horses and build up over a week or so until he's comfortable with you


what are you leading him in - if just a headcollar then you could try a bridle or control halter of somesort.
 
I think you do need to get the vet asap as you say he is in pain. so it is unfair not to get this treated as an emergency!

However his behaviour is probably not going to get any better when this is treated. As someone else said his basic training is missing and needs to be addressed urgently.

Lead him in a bridle or pressure halter not relaxing for a moment so he can't lull you into a false sense of security. Be VERY VERY firm but fair with him

If you can afford it get some help from someone who deals with bolshy horses
 
When he's tanking off, what are you leading him in? I would get a control headcollar on him - I suggest an Eskadron with built in chain and it seems to work very well with horses who know their own strength and take advantage (I know I have one! Lol)

Why won't he tie up, what is he doing? I think I would just persist to be honest as it sounds like he's just getting away with murder and has a tantrum if/when he doesn't get his own way.

Once you regain some control then I would try some groundwork - the main emphasis being on getting him to respect you personal space as he would have to with another horse. Where does he sit in the herd dynamics - top or bottom or somewhere in between? If he is not dominant then he certainly can be put in his place as he'll have learnt from his pals when he's overstepped the boundaries so you need to let him know the same as it seems he may feel he can push you about and sees you as a lower herd member as it were.

I would strongly suggest getting in a professional to help you and give you tips. I am sure plenty of people on here will have suggestions of people who can help (I'm afraid i don't know anyone). I think the bottom line is you have to remind yourself he is just a horse and does not plot stuff or deliberately do something to be naughty, he has just learnt that certain behaviours get him what he wants so try not to be scared of him as that does not help him. You need to be his 'leader'.
 
Firstly get the sarcoid looked at and treated professionaly by a vet and get something decent to lead him in. Eskadron do a control headcollar with a chain built in that will give you a lot more control over him.

http://www.trot2.com/detail.jsp?pid=6013524&id=6013528&src=froogle

Once you have had the sarcoid looked at i would suggest that you send your horse to a professional for re-schooling/breaking for a month and then get the professional to work with you and help you with handling your horse etc.

IMO you sound not confident or experienced enough to deal with a horse like this and the only way to get through it will be to get a professional in.

Where abouts are you? Perhaps someone can suggest a trainer to send your horse to.
 
Thanks for replies everyone

Have lead him using bridle and using control halter, I NEVER use a standard headcollar on him - will look into eskadron, thank you for that.

As for lunge line, this is what I use as even a 12 foot parelli line isn't long enough, it is so sudden he just takes off and I don't get a chance to regain. I have been doing basic respet work - backing him up and so forth, but he's still getting silly with me so I assume its just time? I have had him a couple of months.

As for vet check, I wasn't very clear, by pain I mean he is in pain when I touch it, walking around his field etc he seems absolutely fine, but will be having the vet to him anyway to re-check him all over for any other signs of why he may be playing up.

He only seems to react with rearing when any type of pressure is applied, will consider a professional but may try a few things with him first, and follow some advice before doing so as although I have the funds, things are obviousley tight at the moment. Many thanks for replies.
 
He only seems to react with rearing when any type of pressure is applied, .

I really would like you to describe your handling of him, as this is where the problem lies.

I handle all sorts of so-called problem horses in pressure halters, and none of them ever rear due to my use of pressure. In fact, I am frequently asked to work with horses which have been taught to rear through improper use of pressure, and if they rear with me once that's about it. With correct use of pressure and release, they quickly learn that if they yield to pressure they are in no danger of pain or restraint.

Using so-called 'controller halters' to handle strong horses will lead to their rearing if they are yanked about and the handler tries to 'control' them by hanging onto them. These halters are training aids, not methods of force.

Please get some sensible help with this horse before you get badly hurt.
 
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