Do horses have tantrums ? Is this my loanees fault ?

[niagaraduval]

I have been noticing a few bad habits form since my loanee has been loaning mr horse. These are the issues:

- Horse is ridden in a waterford snaffle as he is a terrible leaner. When I first got him he used to take the bit and not listen at all, about a year later I realised he stopped doing it. He has been testing my loanee and is taking hold of the reins. I have noticed that when he does this she automatically lets go of the reins so the horse is actually taking the reins when he likes. For a few months he has been terrible and taking the reins, it's got to the point where when I ride him even with washing line reins (and actually no contact what so ever) he is constantly trying to yank the reins from my hands although there is nothing to yank! When riding him out he does this and I don't give into him but he has started throwing a massive tantrum when I don't let go of the reins straight away. I and my loanee ride with very minimal contact and I have looked at his mouth, no redness or soreness. I'm not sure how to get him out of this very very bad habit as he is just constantly yaking the reins from my hands and it has got to the point where even just holding them is too much for him.

- When out hacking he will stop and eat when he can. I never allow him to eat during work as I want him to concentrate on me and not on his stomach ! He stopped to eat the grass verges yesterday when hacking and just put him head down (I almost flew over his head !) I pulled him up straight away and told him 'no !' and he started to throw a tantrum.

- When he wants to go, he will go. I hit the track yesterday and he wanted to go go go. I told him that we were going to walk and again he threw a big fit and was cantering on the spot whilst trying to pull my reins from my hands. When holding tight and trying to get him back to a walk he just fought against me, reared, jumped sideways, throwing his head up and down.

She has loaned him for about a year and although I see some things that I feel the need to give my opinion on (like the first example) I don't see her hack him out but she has always been a trustworthy rider with glue on her bum. LOL. I watch her jump the horse sometimes in the summer and she is the only person I feel can handle him. Even I wouldn't jump what she does on him.

It may be my fault ofcourse, but I have owned him for 6 years (off the track) and he has never acted this way. I am also very firm with him. The only thing that has changed in this year is that he is now ridden by someone else.

Horse in question is 10 so not a baby any more !
Back person and dentist is due in march although TBH this doesn't seem pain related.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It sounds like a mouth problem to me. You cannot open the mouth far enough yourself to see any sharp points on the back teeth which may be causing pain.
Reading through your post, it does seem that whenever the contact is increased the horse objects strongly. I doubt if he would do this just because he is being ridden by someone else sometimes. Horses usually recognise that they can't get away with bad behaviour when the rider changes and knuckle down, rather than 'having a tantrum'.

 

[Tammytoo]

I think you have answered your own question - change loanee!

If you don't want to do this can you not have a chat with her about these bad habits he has got into? Say you want him to be ridden consistently i.e. both of you sticking to the same rules. He is your horse and you are entitled to say how he is ridden.

Normally I would say get his mouth and teeth checked, but you are having this done soon. It does seem a bit of a co-incidence that this behaviour started when she began riding him.

 

[LouandBee]

Sounds like a visit from the dentist and physio is required to me..March is a long time to wait if you are experiencing problems. I would rule that out first and experiment with a few new bits before I blame it on your loanee, who you have said yourself is a good rider. I would imagine that she would be less than impressed if you blamed this on her??

 

[niagaraduval]

LouandBee - I totally agree ! I think she is a good rider, she is bound to have a few bad habits because we all do. It is just strange as it started when she started riding the horse and I have also witnessed things myself (ie: her dropping the reins when he pulls on them).

I just have a feeling this isn't pain related. I have used the waterford snaffle for about 3 years now and he goes well in it so am not really into the idea of changing his bit.

I will get the back man and dentist out sooner if this really could be the problem.

 

[Tilda]

Would it be worth getting the pain definitely ruled out? Then I would do what Tammytoo has suggested and discuss it with your loaner and say he needs to be ridden consistently to overcome the problem as I'm sure she must find it annoying too. And yes horses do have tantrums my very opinionated dominant mare often makes it clear she is not happy when not allowed to do as she wants but as I said before I would rule out pain first.

 

[Elsbells]

Is she loaning the horse, or shareing? It sounds like you see her as a sharer?

Good loanees and sharers are hard to find and keep and when you consider she has been with your horse for a year and that she is as you say a good little rider, it maybe worth treading carefully as I'm sure if you upset her to much, she'll be snatched up by someone else only to willingly.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Firstly, as has been suggested, I'd get investigations to see if there may be any pain related issues.

Then, this is just an idea: but there may be mileage in maybe having a joint lesson with you and your loanee?? It just might help for someone experienced to see the horse with both of you on it, and then tease out any issues from there.

 

[Tickles]

Agree about the lesson(s) after getting teeth etc checked.

As a sharer I expect all owners to ride slightly differently to me. And I expect to ride slightly differently according to the horse and the owner/their trainer's preferences.

But I don't expect to be kicked out of an arrangement without an owner mentioning that there are certain things they want their horse to do/not do.

Have a chat with her and/or instructor