Excitable horse

F

Footlights

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 August 2010
Messages
620
Visit site
I got my lovely new horse about 5 months ago now. When getting him I knew he needed lots of work as hadn't done anything for about 5 years. He is an extremely excitable character and needs a calm but firm hand to control him, but he has a very lovely nature and has excellent ground manners.

We went back to basics in the school, lots of transitions, circles etc, and he has come on leaps and bounds and has actually started listening to me and no longer runs around as fast as he can with his head in the air! However, I am really struggling to get through to him when out hacking.

He is not a dangerous horse, he has never rearer, bucked etc but when out hacking he just wants to gallop everywhere! He is EXTREMELY strong and just seems to forget that I am on his back sometimes, once he gets excited theres no calming him down - especially when in a big open field and with other horses.

I think I am doing everything right; sitting deep in the saddle, staying calm and circling him when he tries to take off with me, but there just hasn't been any improvement over this time - maybe I am being too impatient!

I have seen the huge improvement in the school and hoping one day something will just click when out hacking and he will realise he doesn't have to gallop everywhere. By the way I have never given this impression to him, at the moment we only walk (well as much as I can hold him back) when out hacking.

I have changed his bit to a slightly stronger one but reluctant to change to a very strong one as when he gets excited theres just no stopping him, I don't think he would listen anymore to that than his current bit.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
 
What is he like in the school? Does he change in the school if other horses are present. I know many horses that as soon as they enter open spaces and with more than one horse they loose control as the herd instinct kicks in. Mine also is like that.
I would be working mainly in the school and making sure he is listening to you there and then work on hacking out on short hacks only walking either on his own if he is safe like that or with a sensible older horse who will not get wound up if yours does. We have a "babysitter" on our yard for this!! I think it is just repetition and patience that is needed. I am also not keen on stronger bits but if that is what is needed when hacking then I wouldnt be afraid to go down that route, my old boy was hacked out and jumped in a pelham, but was flat schooled and dressaged in a snaffle.
The circles are the best option for when he tries to run, however try to avoid large open spaces for a while and try to just get him to stand in these spaces as you progress rather than just keeping on the move.
Hope that helps
 
He is absolutely fine in both schools (indoor and outdoor) when other horses come in, he doesn't change at all.

I do find that he is better when out hacking by himself, but if I go out with another horse I always make sure it is a sensible horse.

Thank you for your advice. I have a kimberwick sitting in my tack room that I might try on the next hack out. Good idea about short hacks working up to longer ones - I do find that the longer we are out the more excited he gets until at the end he is covered from head to toe in sweat from excitement.
 
you could try a calmer?

I use NAF Magic, my horse used to go crazy when he sees other horses and when he sees unusual things on hacks, but he is a different horse now, so calm a horse walked past yeaterday he didnt bat an eyelid, a low flying very loud air ambulance passed over us and again he wasnt bothered,

the calmer might just calm him down when he gets excited when he is somewhere different on hacks and in fields
 
When I moved my old boy from his last yard to current yard for about 1yr he went out and was a nutter as he was suddenly out with all these other horses and going on regular rides, I found with him getting a variety and never troting or cnatering in same place was very useful. He was rarely dangerous but he did seem to find habit an issue, And if he got wound up I found the only way to calm him was to get off and stand with him/lead for a bit- i always took a leadrope for this reason! It seemed to break that circle in his head, dont know if yours would let you do that or not but could help as he has good ground manners. Good luck to you, I would be tempted to try the kimblewick!

The calmer idea is also good but I am always one to percervere (sp) and try it the hard way before using a supplement as ideally you dont want to be relying on that forever expec as he isnt dangerous
 
I did try a magnesium calmer when I first got him but it didn't really make any difference. He tends to be a lot better once he knows where he is - he is very well behaved in a big field i take him in often, but as soon as we enter a new field he is like "yippeee!!". I may try get off and lead in the field he knows to start with to see what he is like, I would hate for him to run off.

Thank you for your advice. I would really like to do some sponsored rides with him but at the moment it is just out of the question.
 
Are calmers really that effective Kirsty?! I am at my wits end with my tb as he has become scared of his own shadow & his first reaction to fear is to rear! :( I had pretty much decided to sell him today as I can't cope but hadn't tried the calmer route.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top