Help please!!

[PIP17]

Just wanted to ask advise please about the following - I normally hack out alone or with my OH walking with me and my boy is steady and good and not particually spooky, the problem I have is when we are out with company. He is fine to begin with, he's quite ploddy at times and whoever we ride out with is normally in front which he is happy with but occasionally when we are on our way home if he feels he is getting left further behind he has a bit of a freaky fit!! Yesterday he bounced up and down on the spot and kept walking backwards! Its like he gets worked up and keeps it all to himself with no outward sign and then suddenly he cant cope anymore and throws a wobbly I normally sit quietly keep my leg on and talk to him and once he has caught the other horse up he is fine. I have only had him six months - is this something that might calm down in time or do I need to get strict with him and if so what do I do? The one evening some horses from our yard came past us on our way home and he started jogging and bouncing so I turned him round the other way and made him go back the way we had come!! I then stood him for a few moments, calmed him down and he walked quietly home. Dont really want this to start getting out of hand because I am not the most confident of riders but could do with some advise please. My friend thinks I should ride out with other horses as much as possible and put him in the situation to teach him its ok for other horses he is out with to leave him behind - but not sure how much my nerves can cope with Any replys much appreciated. I ride him in a hanging cheek snaffle and a running martingale.

 

[LaurenM]

I think it's good that you turned him around when you seen the horses that he knew.

Do you ride places he has never been before when hacking in company?
How old is he?

I would follow what your friend has said about riding out in company more. I would also halt every few minutes (gradually increasing the gap each time) and let him walk on to catch the other horse up. As you've said, this will teach him that nothing bad will happen.

What are you doing before he starts reversing etc i.e. are you tense?

 

[PIP17]

I do get a little tense but try and remain calm - not always easy as he is a big lad (16.3hh). I do hack out in different places and also go different routes as much as possible - I just want to be able to cope and know what to do when he does throw a wobblier!

 

[Tickles]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things and your friend is giving you good advice. Should get better with time too as you build up your bond and he learns to trust in you to keep him safe.