Eventful hack! Advice needed

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Moobucket

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So i ve hacked out hundreds of times on my 15 yo cob since i had him without too much trouble. Today however he tanked off through a copse of trees. I had real difficulty pulling him up and the ground was totally unsuitable for anything over walk. Later when i got off to walk him round an obstacle he was a total pig about letting me get back on and kept barging me with his shoulder. I made an attempt at getting on and he was away cantering off into the distance with a massive buck. So i m a bit confused. Is it
A maybe something to do with him being stables all yesterday due to the horrible weather, even though he d had a lesson and long havk
B i just need a stronger bit and to teach him some manners?
C rider stupidity? Should i have tried to hold him? What do you do in that situation.

A mince pie to all posters.
 
Had same thing happen to a normally very sensible Highland about twenty years ago. He ended up running straight into a barn wall and breaking his neck dying instantly. He had a Brain tumour.
 
Is he used to being kept in?
You see, my ponies live out and they were really spooky yesterday as a result of the weather, and still a bit stirred up today. They however are used to living out and being able to choose the bit of field they feel best about in bad weather. Your post sort of implies that your cob might not be used to being kept in. I sometimes wonder how it feels for at least some equines to be shut in when there's all sorts of noise, maybe bad weather outside. All they can see is the little bit above their door, and they don't have an escape route. Just a thought.
If your cob is normally good then I wouldn't panic, but see how he is once he's back in his normal routine. Sounds as if a bit of work on groundwork and halts wouldn't go amiss though.
 
Sounds like he is feeling a bit fresh so probably a combo of having been kept in and maybe a bit of disrespect. Agree above a bit of schooling working on halts and downwards transitions.

What bit does he have at the mo?
 
He lives out all summer and then recently he has just been coming in at night due to the wet. He s always opinionated but this was the first time he s been stupid. I m wondering if a stronger bit is a last resort or something i should try?
 
I think that if he is usually fine (ridden and to handle) then it is probably the change of routine, as in the fact that he was in all day yesterday. If my horse has been in all day for whatever reason I always just turn him out the morning after to avoid such behaviour, but then he is a sharp youngster.

I wouldn't change his bit unless he carries on doing this and it becomes too much for you to handle, but I would maybe have a think about his feed. What are you feeding him at the moment? Please don't blame yourself - these things happen and as much as we try to learn from them - horses will always be unpredictable!
 
He s in a regular snaffle. He used to be horrible in the school but he s making progress. I think he would certainly benefit from some ground work. Is there a book anyone would recommend for a bolshie cob?
 
The weather isn't helping at the mo, I'm guessing this is unusual for him, maybe he's feeling a bit fresh or well. Have u changed anything recently? Feed, routine etc? Or maybe something was bothering him? Saddle pinching etc
 
Moobucket said:
He s just on ad lib hay from a trickle net and pure feed balancer because he was way too fat going in to winter.
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Well I can't see how that would affect his behaviour! Just try to keep his routine consistent for a while (maybe out in the day and in at night) and see how that goes. Good luck!
 
You could try to maybe think of this in terms of him just doing what horses do. He's not being bolshy, disrespectful or a pig, he's just doing what comes naturally to him. People have opinions to get opinionated about, horses don't have the same reasoning functions. Horses just push people around if that is the pattern of behaviour that they have learned. If you want him to behave differently then you need to put some time into training. Putting a stronger bit in his mouth is just using a different blunt instrument and anyway, would probably not stop him getting away if he really wanted to. Rather than a book I'd suggest a few lessons with a good trainer. Maybe if you say roughly where you are someone can recommend one.
By the way, if you ever let him come in on you for "cuddles" you are teaching him that pushing you is OK. Barging and shoving you is just more of the same movement.
 
i found that both of mine were a bit wired today...think it was the horrendus weather we had yesterday and the fact they didnt get turned out (ground just a mess!) or ridden (way to dangerous!)...... resulted in rocking horse motion from both of them! and a damn good trot up the huge hill :)
 
Moobucket said:
He s in a regular snaffle. He used to be horrible in the school but he s making progress. I think he would certainly benefit from some ground work. Is there a book anyone would recommend for a bolshie cob?
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Kelly Marks "Perfect Manners" is good and easy to follow.

I like doing long reining too as I think that helps with their ground work (but then I'm quite nervous and sometimes like to keep my feet firmly on the ground!) It's fun though, and if you find a good instructor you can do lots of different things on the ground.
 
I would say that it is highly likely because he had to stay in the previous day. It is amazing how much energy this can give them - I know mine is certainly more full of it the day after a day off, and he's allowed out all day!

I would however say that it does sound like your boy has some issues with respect and could possibly do with a change of bit. What type of 'regular' snaffle do you use? french link or single jointed? Loose, ring, full cheek, hanging cheek, eggbutt?? They all have very different actions and may not be best suited to him.

I recently (onmy instructors advice) swapped my boy to a french link dutch gag due to braking issues and lack of general respect and the change in him, in just a few weeks has been increadible... to the point where I can stop and turn him on the lightest contact when before I was having to yank him in the mouth... some good lessons with an understanding and knowledgable instructor have also helped.

Good luck!
 
Are you sure there wasn't anything unusual going on whilst on your hack? Like a hunt? I am assuming you were hacking alone, mayby there was something going on nearby which e could sense, I know that my horse can go from being completly calm on hack to being on her toes and almost uncontrollable and it is often because of something like a hunt which I may not know about, horses are extremely sensitive and intuitive animals due to them being a prey animal so there was probably something spooking him out, I would not suggest changing his bit until you are certain of the cause:) hope this helps and hope he recovers from his fright!
 
tyancoralroseSJ said:
Are you sure there wasn't anything unusual going on whilst on your hack? Like a hunt? I am assuming you were hacking alone, mayby there was something going on nearby which e could sense, I know that my horse can go from being completly calm on hack to being on her toes and almost uncontrollable and it is often because of something like a hunt which I may not know about, horses are extremely sensitive and intuitive animals due to them being a prey animal so there was probably something spooking him out, I would not suggest changing his bit until you are certain of the cause:) hope this helps and hope he recovers from his fright!
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Actually, that might be a point. My bombproof girl was being v silly on a hack years ago and being totally out of character (head up and snorting), a mile down the road we came across an elderly man leading a Donkey with bells on it's bridle. My mare knew it was there from all that distance away!!! One she could actually see it she was fine but either the smell or sound had scared her even though I could see anything!
 
If this is out of character then something up.
Its probably excess energy due to being in yesterday. If horse is normally out but instead waa just ridden this is the simple explanation.

But could be saddle, teeth or something else

So start with eliminating things.
Firstly see how he is after turn out.
If no better get saddle checked, and teeth done etc.
 
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