Help formulating a "training" plan for tricky horse

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I'm looking for some advice with bringing my tricky horse back into fitness. He does have some issues, which from previous equine experience, as well as thoughts from my instructor and physio, I believe are behavioural, rather that veterinary related. He is currently doing a mix of ground work, lunging, and in hand walks.

I could do with some help in formulating a "plan" of a training/exercise programme for him, as I am a bit "stuck" with what to do. He needs ground work, and a lot of it. Also not very keen on being lunged. I could really do with some pointers for advancing the groundwork, such as learning shoulder in, leg yield, etc, as well as ideas for on the lunge to build up muscle and fitness.

I cannot ride and lead, as no other horse, and I am not using an equi-ami/pessoa or long reining the horse as he has a tendancy to thow a tantrum and try and bog off when being lunged.
 
Wouldn't your instructor and physio be the best people to ask, as they know the horse and his history?
There are lots of excellent books on in-hand work, which could cover the topic in far more detail than in a forum, but is there any reason he cannot be ridden at the walk? Long walks solve a lot of problems that ground work doesn't.
 
On a FB group that I'm in, a few people seem to like Art2Ride which I think has ground work as a key part of it. Haven't tried it myself.
 
Is he under the vet or physio at the moment for anything? If so, I’d be guided by them at the moment. I’m 3 months into rehabilitating a quirky mare and she’s still doing a mixture of long reining and in-hand work, although she is now back in light ridden work too.
However, her plan was very much built around her issues so although I will share it with you happily, it might not be what is best for yours.

Will he long rein? This has been absolutely key for mine- she is now doing lateral work on the long reins aswell. Mine is a nightmare to lunge off one line- she does the wall of death at you, but I can lunge her off two lines no problems.
 
wkiwi said:
Wouldn't your instructor and physio be the best people to ask, as they know the horse and his history?
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There are a tonne of experienced people on here who I'm sure have some great advice to give - what harm is there in asking for ideas and tips?

OP does he hack safely? If I were you I'd forget about arena ridden work at the moment and do as much hacking as possible, with lunging two or three times a week, doing lots of raised pole-work.
 
SpringArising said:
There are a tonne of experienced people on here who I'm sure have some great advice to give - what harm is there in asking for ideas and tips?.
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Umm, coz he's 'tricky' and has 'issues' and there aren't many details given? so following advice that could be opposite to what the instructor/physio have already said can make the issues worse (why pay for professionals and then take advice from random people on a forum - assuming that they have given advice of course; not much info has been given on that either.
But then, it is up to the OP as to what advice they follow.
 
I'm in Hampshire. Is not currently under vet or physio for anything, but does get regular physio check ups. I am not keen to try long reining - I have never done it, and he has a tendancy of whipping around to try and get away from you when being lunged. Would not be keen to try and start long reining him.

He does ride, however has not been ridden for a while, and the last time I really sat on him, I ended up in a heap on the floor. (Had a very sore back.) I currently do not have a saddle that fits; the first appointment I could get for a saddler is the end of April. Also, I would not be keen on me, or anyone else, getting on him, until the "tantrum" behaviour has gone from the ground.

Interestingly, I did a good search on youtube last night, and found a series of very interesting videos on training "problematic" horses, which I am going to try and use the techniques on my own horse.
 
Reason I asked is that I know a couple of people that are excellent at in hand work and could help teach you some more advanced stuff. One, Simon Battram, does I think come to Berkshire so if you are north hants it might be worth contacting him.

Otherwise, is there anywhere near you with a treadmill?

Only thing I would say is how fit do you want it before you get back on, given he is sharp? Would you be better off sending him away somewhere?
 
ihatework said:
Reason I asked is that I know a couple of people that are excellent at in hand work and could help teach you some more advanced stuff. One, Simon Battram, does I think come to Berkshire so if you are north hants it might be worth contacting him.

Otherwise, is there anywhere near you with a treadmill?

Only thing I would say is how fit do you want it before you get back on, given he is sharp? Would you be better off sending him away somewhere?
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I think I have looked up Simon before, and he did look some distance away, however it could well be worth contacting him, as I am north Hamps.

Ideally I'd love to send him to a proper "rehab" yard, however I just don't have the funds, or any transport tbh! I'm not so bothered about him being fit as such, its more to help with building topline, and stopping the stupid behaviour on the ground. This horse is not likely to settle under saddle, until he is ok in hand.
 
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