NicandLiv
Well-Known Member
I got my pony 4 months ago. I hacked her alone shortly after getting her in the woods, she bolted and I couldn't hold her back at all. So we've been walking out in hand, hacking in company, going to a school up the road and having a couple of lessons. A couple of weeks ago I decided to ride her alone to the school (10 to 15 minutes away, walking pace) she was brilliant, did it a few more times and got better.
I however, went out today and went right instead of left out of the yard, going to go down the road, turn around and come back. She decided... No. She planted herself, so I asked her to go forward and no response, squeezed my legs and said walk on firmer, no response. Kicked and said more firm walk on, to which she replied with bucking. Normally she will have a cow kick when asked to do something she doesn't want to do, you can only just feel it. This time I came about 8 inches out of my saddle. I kept on, kick and walk on again she bucked a bit higher. I kept on, kick and walk on again, she then decided bucking wasn't getting her anywhere so she turned around and bolted back to the yard. The only difference this time is that I actually managed to control her and hold her back (she is only ridden in a snaffle with no gadgets), she got into a canter and I managed to turn her in circles when her cantering was getting faster and faster, I kept her in circles until she slowed down and down but all the way back to the yard I held her back as hard as I could and we were doing a very fast paced walk. I made her walk past the yard, up another road turn around and come home. Altho I still had to hold her back as soon as I loosened the reins she'd just get faster and faster.
So I have a friend who is a much more experienced and better rider than me, coming to ride her this afternoon and going to go the same route I did this morning, and see if it's just me she is pissing around with.
She's had a physio, saddler, dentist all in the last 3 months to check everything out. Before I bought her, she was left to get away with everything, if she kicked under saddle rider got off immediately and walked her back home. She is 14 years old, Irish Cob mare and is just ridden in a snaffle bit. I do NOT want to go to a stronger bit, I don't think that's the answer. What I do want to know is what you'd all do.
I was thinking either go back to basics and start taking her out in hand again, a few more different routes. Riding her with someone walking at the side of us, then with them walking behind, to progress on taking her out on her own again after she's pretty consistent (as much as an animal can be). Or should I just get back on again and keep taking her out by herself? I don't ever ride with a crop because she is so sensitive and sharp, everything is on voice command, and the moment you get firmer with her (say kicking to make her go forward) that's when she gets very fizzy and reactive, bucking and bolting it appears. My friend riding her this afternoon is bringing a crop with her, so it will be interesting to see her reaction.
I however, went out today and went right instead of left out of the yard, going to go down the road, turn around and come back. She decided... No. She planted herself, so I asked her to go forward and no response, squeezed my legs and said walk on firmer, no response. Kicked and said more firm walk on, to which she replied with bucking. Normally she will have a cow kick when asked to do something she doesn't want to do, you can only just feel it. This time I came about 8 inches out of my saddle. I kept on, kick and walk on again she bucked a bit higher. I kept on, kick and walk on again, she then decided bucking wasn't getting her anywhere so she turned around and bolted back to the yard. The only difference this time is that I actually managed to control her and hold her back (she is only ridden in a snaffle with no gadgets), she got into a canter and I managed to turn her in circles when her cantering was getting faster and faster, I kept her in circles until she slowed down and down but all the way back to the yard I held her back as hard as I could and we were doing a very fast paced walk. I made her walk past the yard, up another road turn around and come home. Altho I still had to hold her back as soon as I loosened the reins she'd just get faster and faster.
So I have a friend who is a much more experienced and better rider than me, coming to ride her this afternoon and going to go the same route I did this morning, and see if it's just me she is pissing around with.
She's had a physio, saddler, dentist all in the last 3 months to check everything out. Before I bought her, she was left to get away with everything, if she kicked under saddle rider got off immediately and walked her back home. She is 14 years old, Irish Cob mare and is just ridden in a snaffle bit. I do NOT want to go to a stronger bit, I don't think that's the answer. What I do want to know is what you'd all do.
I was thinking either go back to basics and start taking her out in hand again, a few more different routes. Riding her with someone walking at the side of us, then with them walking behind, to progress on taking her out on her own again after she's pretty consistent (as much as an animal can be). Or should I just get back on again and keep taking her out by herself? I don't ever ride with a crop because she is so sensitive and sharp, everything is on voice command, and the moment you get firmer with her (say kicking to make her go forward) that's when she gets very fizzy and reactive, bucking and bolting it appears. My friend riding her this afternoon is bringing a crop with her, so it will be interesting to see her reaction.
