Forward going horses - need help!!!!

[BethH]

Hi was reading and chuckling at the earlier fizzy horse post and then thought I should post myself, as my horse is being a complete pain just for a change, I have always had forward going horses and enjoyed them but my one is becoming a bit boring now with his attitude, every time we move his work on a bit he is wonderful for a couple of weeks and then goes through every form of evasion possible especially to avoid a nice outline in trot, (is lovely in walk) and he looks beautiful in canter but tanks like a steam train (overbent and forehandy), the worst thing is everyone saying how wonderful he looks whilst I am sitting on board thinking what hard work it is to contain him and being subtle has stopped working, I am now having to pull him in the mouth to slow and stop him because he is barging through my seat so badly.

He is hyper sensitive horse and typically a stubborn, defiant conne cross, when he goes calmly he is a joy to ride but calm sure isn't happening at the moment. Instead of listening to your seat aids has decided that every time he goes in the sand school he is entering the Grand National, his enthusiam is sweet at times but more than a bit wearing! If I put my leg on he tries to tank off and then hits the bit, hollows and tries to charge through my body looking like a giraffe, have always just slowed him right down with lots of gives and takes on the reins and a slow seat, but at the moment he charges off when you take contact, let it go, put your leg, take it off...... well you get the general picture, after 50 mins of trot and canter yesterday he still wasn't puffed enough to slow down and I have to go do a premim dressage test next week, I think we could come last!!!!!!!

Any ideas gratefully received, I put him back out in the field yesterday having worked him through his attitude, we are both shattered and Ryan is sulking alot and ignoring me, everyone on my yard thinks it's hilarious as he is worse than a female with bad PMS (and a lot heavier!) any drugs around to assist temperament change?????

 

[hellybelly6]

Presumably you have had his saddle and teeth checked? Have you thought about changing his diet?
My horse was extra stubborn and dominant with oats, I did not give him these, but somebody else did despite my repeated requests not to. He was on full livery at the time.
What about trying to keep him extra soft in your hand?

 

[angiebaby]

I must of had your twin! I had everything checked, I even lunged him for 20 mins before a 13 mile hack! Only fed SS Lucie bix and a joint supplement, nothing else!
I sold him a couple of weeks ago to a home more suited than a happy hacker with a bit of this and that thrown in.
He needed to be busy busy busy all the time, and at my time of life I just want to chill.
So, now I'm back riding my laid back, but I can't possibly go passed that pudddle, cob! I miss the forward going cos my legs are killing me, but I am enjoying riding again.
Sorry, not any help what so ever, but I know how you feel

 

[rachier]

My TB started running through the contact etc and he was diagnosed with a back problem - the change was quite dramatic in him - virtually overnight. He was ok when just letting him carry himself (not in an outline!!), but as soon as asked to work he would tank off. He has had this problem for a while bless him and had not shown any other signs. Just to be safe, i would say back, saddle and physio if the vet suggests it.

Ditto above about the feed.

 

[DaisyMae]

Mines crazy at the moment aswel, calmer doesn't work and physical checks have been done, having to ride her almost every night and if i miss a couple of days she goes back to square one (square one is ugly) i'm blaming the grass

 

[Dressagebabe]

If you are happy its not a medical or tack issue then you could try doing rein back every time he tanks or picks up too much speed whilst becoming heavy in your hands. I have a gelding that used to do this and so I halted by socking him in the teeth a little then asked for rein back 4 or 5 paces then halted for a couple of seconds then walked on again but if he tried to tank off or lean on me I would automatically go through the whole procedure again. It took him a couple of sessions mostly in rein back to realise it was easier to wait for me and walk of round and light. He is one of the lightest most polite horses to ride now and is trained at advanced level but I think if I had just fought his strength and left him on the forehand I would have had biceps like Arnie by now!

 

[DaisyMae]

Do you already have a good instructor who can help you with this problem? if not, then this may be the way to go once you've got the usual checks out of the way

 

[Krysztyna]

I'd check for any physical discomfort; back, teeth, tack etc, then look at what he is eating and his management; has there been any change in either, and finally if you've ruled out everything else put it down to sheer naughtiness and work hard on slow and quiet schooling; a lot of balancing and collection exercises.

 

[Flame_]

IMO, lots of canter work very early on in the session. Counter canter, lengthening and shortening, transitions in and out of canter, etc... It gets them thinking, means they can't avoid work by rushing, and burns off a bit of exuberance. Although I know it doesn't work for everything, it usually results in a horse glad to relax into trot afterwards and work nicely.

 

[BethH]

Thank you all so much for all of your tips, advice and sympathy, I am glad I'm not alone, he is a right royal pain sometimes! It has made me feel that although he is checked at least 6mthly, I need a re-visit from Dentist, saddle & back to go over him immediately as I have been putting it off a bit. He is fed nothing but hay/grass and in winter a handful of hifi lite as anything complicated and he turns into a loony. I had the saddler booked just in case as he has put on quite a bit of weight in the last few weeks even though he is only on restricted grazing and worked 5days a wk, he puts on weight just by looking at grass.

My back lady usually checks him every 4mths but is relocating so if anyone knows anyone good in Kent around the Sevenoaks area please let me know as I really need to find a replacement and am feeling he needs checking sharpish. I used to use a brilliant chiropractor but can't use her anymore as vets have advised that he shouldn't be clicked so needs a physio/oesteo type person. I am slightly anal about his back as he has had KS surgery but I wonder if he is a bit sore, ever since his surgery when we re-backed him, I have spent 2yrs getting him to work calmly and slowly as he had trained himself brilliantly to rush away from pain. Since I posted I long reined this afternoon to watch how he goes and he is waving his head and chewing on the bit especially noticeable on the right rein, am I right in thinking that is sore back, as his legs are working just fine??????

The rein backs are a good tip and my instructor did go through a stage of telling me to let him have 5 mins to work off his steam and we thought he had progressed to the stage where we didn't need to do it anymore but think you may have a point that I should perhaps let him do that again, all in all a timely reminder to have him checked out and a few good tips to try, will let you know our progress, wish us luck on Sunday, even 2nd to last would be good!