RubyFrench
Well-Known Member
I've had my horse on loan for just over 2 weeks now and he seemed perfectly placid and gentle (he still is 90% of the time) but there have been a few incidents lately, I'm wandering if he might be getting fizzed up from all the sugar in the grass or is he trying it on with me?
1) on a hack, tried him down a new path which turned out to be very pebbley and he didn't seem to like it, he took me up a bank into the fence then when I eventually reversed him back down he tried to turn toward home and run, but I spun him round, determined not to let him beat me, he got a bit further then just spun round and ran all the way back towards home till we reached the main pathway (put it down to stones), so I tried him our normal way but in reverse, he put his brakes on and refused to budge despite much despair, kicking and squeezing (I ended up borrowing a whip from someone in the field) we put it down to a plastic covered haylage ball.
2) took him down another new way through the woods, he saw 2 horse way ahead, took their path (I tried to take him down another way but he wouldn't listen) it turns out to be a path with LOTS of over hanging branches, and he starts cantering... Que me crouching over his neck trying to hold on for dear life, and several tree branches to the head and face and I get knocked to the ground (haven't been back on him yet since my coxix is still very bruised). He is usually har work to keep walking, this was very out of character.
3) last couple of times when bringing him in from the field he has tried to run away (very unlike him) but today, 3 additional horses had been put in our field (usually just mine and 1 other) while the tractor worked out the other fields, he ran off, when I eventually caught him he would not move for love nor money, I pulled and pulled. 10 minutes later he obviously realized I wasn't giving in so gingerly started walking, stopping every so often. Was he wanting to stay with his new friends? Even though his tea was waiting for him! Or doesn't he like me?
Please help, I want to stop this before I get hurt again or lose my confidence.
P.s. He is out grazing all the time other than a 4-5 hour period when I bring him in to give him a break off the grass, during this time he has access to hay and his his tea (1 scoop hifi lite, few carrots)
1) on a hack, tried him down a new path which turned out to be very pebbley and he didn't seem to like it, he took me up a bank into the fence then when I eventually reversed him back down he tried to turn toward home and run, but I spun him round, determined not to let him beat me, he got a bit further then just spun round and ran all the way back towards home till we reached the main pathway (put it down to stones), so I tried him our normal way but in reverse, he put his brakes on and refused to budge despite much despair, kicking and squeezing (I ended up borrowing a whip from someone in the field) we put it down to a plastic covered haylage ball.
2) took him down another new way through the woods, he saw 2 horse way ahead, took their path (I tried to take him down another way but he wouldn't listen) it turns out to be a path with LOTS of over hanging branches, and he starts cantering... Que me crouching over his neck trying to hold on for dear life, and several tree branches to the head and face and I get knocked to the ground (haven't been back on him yet since my coxix is still very bruised). He is usually har work to keep walking, this was very out of character.
3) last couple of times when bringing him in from the field he has tried to run away (very unlike him) but today, 3 additional horses had been put in our field (usually just mine and 1 other) while the tractor worked out the other fields, he ran off, when I eventually caught him he would not move for love nor money, I pulled and pulled. 10 minutes later he obviously realized I wasn't giving in so gingerly started walking, stopping every so often. Was he wanting to stay with his new friends? Even though his tea was waiting for him! Or doesn't he like me?
Please help, I want to stop this before I get hurt again or lose my confidence.
P.s. He is out grazing all the time other than a 4-5 hour period when I bring him in to give him a break off the grass, during this time he has access to hay and his his tea (1 scoop hifi lite, few carrots)
I'm off to ride her later, and we're staying in her paddock for now. All I would like is 20 mins good walking with no disasters. We'll do that a few times, then trot, then group hack......