Does any one else's horse do that silly bunny hop thing?!

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almrc

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Well I took Monkey nuts cross Country for the second time today. She was fab. We were just going over some jumps walking on and trying a new jump. She caught on to this game and was getting super excited. As I turned her towards a jump she started doing all I can describe as this funny bunny hop thing. I wasn't holding her back but she also wouldn't go forward she was kind of hopping of that makes sense?! She was also bringing her head up a bit do I reckon she needs a martingale maybe? This wasn't all the time but it's good to know she loves it, just want to stop the hops! :) any ideas or just a case of ride on?
 
mine does it too, and my friends pony too. For me personally its just a case of sitting there quietly and waiting for the weirdo to stop being silly, i usually sigh at her, wait till she's finished and till she stops, once she's stopped pick up my reins properly again and carry on :)
 
This? :p
fwedna.jpg
 
My old boy did it all the time when he got excited. I remember doing related distances at pony club once and the instructor told me that although it should 4 strides, not to be surprised if he put in 5 as he was the only pony in the group and she'd set it for the horses....He put in 8. I found a good dig in the ribs to send him forwards was by far the best thing - although I secretly loved it when he did it!
 
RiderLizzie said:
Yep. Keep the same contact, leg on and sit quietly.
Click to expand...

Yep. This is what my trainer said to do as well. If you react you it you're only making an issue of it and the horse will act up even more. Best thing is to ignore.

My boy will always do it with a different rider (but not with a novice) - its his way of checking them out and seeing what mettle they're made of.

Little mare just does it when she's excited; there's no malice there its just exuberance.
 
Yeh thanks for the picture - that's it maybe not so high mind! She does it because she loves it, it was her second time Xc and she obviously loves it. Just knowing what to make her stop dear of her! Glad we're not the only ones
 
Rode a few that have done it, as rider lizzie said, sit quiet & push forwards. That said, my 23yr old is a safe schoolmistress. However now she's older she is allowed to do allsorts with me as she's earned the right. Amongst which are bunnyhops, spinning, leaping, bucking, & pratting & prancing. To which I respond by laughing, & not much else.
 
My girlie would do this a lot, she used to get excited about everything - even just setting foot on a grass verge would set her off lol!

Just keep everything the same and don't react, and don't laugh... I used to because I genuinely found it so fun, and that would her up so much more!
 
It was fun ha i can see why you like it but I can just image us at a hunter trials coming last as she bunny hops up to every jump
 
Agree, its entirely different me letting mine be a prat. Even though she doesn't compete properly anymore, she knows the difference between concentrating & working or being allowed to be silly, & would never do it with anyone else. But being a saint has earnt her the right to get away with stuff now she's older. Laughing & encouraging it isn't something I'd do with any other or advise others to do.
 
Yep, my boy does it all the time!

If he is feeling excited then he just prances on the spot and throws himself sideways with a few rears in between. Sort of like a very fast, disorganised and bouncier piaffe! ;)

Although he doesn't throw his head up, he drops down onto the contact and looks like a right sexy little stallion!

Don't have the heart to tell him that his whatsits are long gone :rolleyes:
 
At least yours drops his head and looks nice...I get this:

photo-2.jpg


Not all the time but sometimes. How can I stop it, martingale? Been trying to keep things simple but I dont like seeing her forelock as I'm approaching a jump!
 
almrc said:
At least yours drops his head and looks nice...I get this:

photo-2.jpg


Not all the time but sometimes. How can I stop it, martingale? Been trying to keep things simple but I dont like seeing her forelock as I'm approaching a jump!
Click to expand...

Instead of a martingale, try to be a little softer with your hands. It looks like you are hauling on her mouth so she's obviously going to put her head in the air. You'll often find the more you fight into a jump, the more they'll fight back!
 
I can understand how it might look like that but I wasn't actually pulling all that much. She throws her head up coming to some jumps on her own accord. I am really quite gentle with her, she is only in a snaffle and doesn't need much. But I can see where your coming from by what it looks like in the picture! Should of explained that when I posted the pic
 
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almrc said:
At least yours drops his head and looks nice...I get this:

photo-2.jpg


Not all the time but sometimes. How can I stop it, martingale? Been trying to keep things simple but I dont like seeing her forelock as I'm approaching a jump!
Click to expand...


Running martingale would help, but more so I'd let the jump just come and don't fight it, i know its a narrow jump but it's tiny so let him just take it in his stride. Softer lower hands

Our threads crosses- she maybe throwing he head in anticipation of a pull- OBVIOUSLY without knowing her I don't know. Either way the fact she can't see the fence a stride out must be pretty frightening! And Running martingale clipped to your breast plate will help
 
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Its only the second time we've been out so appreciate helpful feedback - my hands are quite high on this particular jump but its all learning in process. She was trying to veer out as well hence the look on my face me trying not to laugh, dear of her. Shes very forward going but I have no need to pull her, she does it herself as she is so excited she just wants to jump! As I say she doesn't do this often, but did it at this particular jump.
 
Mine does it when horses trot off in front of him on hacks, or if they go round corners without him he bunny hops to catch up. He's only 5 so life is very exciting! :) Sometimes I find it funny, sometimes I get nervous, but I try to sit still and ignore him.
 
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