Help! Pony tanking off with me more frequently...

[Hatts24]

Help! My pocket rocket cob is the fittest I've had him, he's great fun, loves a good gallop and is certainly quirky.

A month or so ago I moved him from a Full cheek snaffle into a cherry roller as he started having a habit of grabbing hold of the bit and tanking off.

I thought this had solved the problem! However, the last few hacks he's tanked off again and I literally cannot stop him. Today I didn't know if I was going to be able to pull him up and he was swerving all over the place as he overtook the other ponies.

Question is, what can I do? I'm loathed to go too strong a bit and I'm not a fan of a flash noseband. He's currently ridden in a normal bridle with a crank noseband and martingale.

He can be nappy and throw in some bucks and rears so don't want to put something too harsh that we're going to get an adverse reaction as we've only just him enjoying his riding again. Any suggestions?

 

[AmyMay]

deleted

 

[paddi22]

have you taught him the one rein stop? any strong tank ones I get in I teach them the one rein stop.

 

[Orangehorse]

First thing is what are you feeding him?

 

[Hatts24]

have you taught him the one rein stop? any strong tank ones I get in I teach them the one rein stop.

No I haven't taught him that, I will look it up and see if we can get him on that.

 

[Hatts24]

First thing is what are you feeding him?

He's just on turnout and hay and literally a handful of Bailey's light chaff to go with his supplement.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

He's just on turnout and hay and literally a handful of Bailey's light chaff to go with his supplement.

Bailey's Light Chaff contains alfalfa, so I would take him off it and see if his behaviour settles. Many horses can't cope with even a tiny amount of alfalfa. In some it shows up immediately but in others, it has a cumulative effect, and behaviour deteriorates over time.

 

[Maryann]

Try a neckstrap? It might work and is unlikely to upset him.

 

[White Horse2]

Go on your own, or with someone who can help, ie canter behind or side by side without racing, concentrate on not grabbing the reins, harder said than done, been there, use core muscles, make sure you have lots of space,continue to have fun

 

[Muddywellies]

Bailey's Light Chaff contains alfalfa, so I would take him off it and see if his behaviour settles. Many horses can't cope with even a tiny amount of alfalfa. In some it shows up immediately but in others, it has a cumulative effect, and behaviour deteriorates over time.

Alfalfa, even the most minescule amount, is like rocket fuel for my Welshie

 

[Leandy]

What do you do with him? How much time do you devote to his education and obedience in a quiet environment rather than going out for fun and a gallop?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Go on your own, or with someone who can help, ie canter behind or side by side without racing, concentrate on not grabbing the reins, harder said than done, been there, use core muscles, make sure you have lots of space,continue to have fun

This is what works for my mare. I maintain a light contact when we go for our gallops but the minute I shift my weight back and sit in the saddle she knows it’s time to come back to a more respectable pace! Whereas if I pull on the rein she throws her head up and we have an argument.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Alfalfa, even the most minescule amount, is like rocket fuel for my Welshie

Same!